A person specially trained to help during labor and after the birth of ababy. Might help a new mother breastfeed or cook, clean, and care for olderchildren.

a Greek word used to describe a person who provides emotional and physical support through labor. For more information on Doulas check out Doulas of North America's website.

A trained birth professional who cares for and supports the mother in a non-medical capacity during labor and birth.

A woman trained to provide continuous emotional and physical -- but non-medical -- support before during and after childbirth. As an outsider she can be more objective than a family member, and as a non-professional can help prevent hospital procedures and regulations that block intimacy. Studies have shown that having a doula can shorten labour, reduce the use of drugs, reduce the rate of C-sections and increase the rate of breast feeding. Women who have a midwife while giving birth probably do not need a doula.

a birth assistant

a birth partner or post-birth partner

a birth partner who provides continuous physical, emotional and informational support to the mother and father throughout the transition of childbirth and into parenthood

a caregiver who mothers the mother so that the mother can mother her infant

a caring woman experienced in-childbirth who provides continuous physical and emotional support to the mother during and for a short, time immediately after childbirth

a certified birthing assistant

a childbirth professional who understands the natural process of having a baby

a good listener and a caring pair of hands

a knowledgeable, caring woman who supports a mother-to-be and her partner through labor

a Labor Support Person

a labour and birth support provider

a mother herself who is trained to support women during pregnancy, labour and in the first few weeks or months at home with a new baby

a mother's supporter, not a medical professional

an advocate who works with birthing women

an experienced and trained labor companion who stays with a laboring woman throughout her entire labor and birth experience, providing emotional, physical, and informational support

an experienced companion who provides women and their partners with emotional, physical and informational support throughout the different phases of her pregnancy and/or the postpartum period

an experienced labor companion who can provide prenatal support as well as labor and post partum support

an experienced labor companion who provides continuous emotional support and assistance before, during, and after birth

an experienced labor companion who provides support to the mother before, during and after childbirth

an experienced labour companion who provides emotional, educational, and physical support and assistance before, during, and after birth

an experienced mom with formal training in how to comfort and assist women during labor

an experienced mother who offers her services to support an expecting mother

an experienced woman who helps other women during labour and birth

an experienced woman who is skilled in caring for women and their families in the antepartum or postpartum periods

an experienced woman who is trained to give physical, emotional and informational support to women and their families during the childbearing cycle

an experienced woman who offers emotional and practical support to a woman (or couple) before, during and after childbirth

a non-medical birth professional

a non-medical helper, who is there to support and assist the expectant or new mother

a paid birth attendant who supports the mother during labour and birth

a person acting as an assistant to women during pregnancy, childbirth and post birth

a person experienced with the childbirth process who is able to support a labouring woman throughout the birth process

a person who assists a woman by providing physical comfort, emotional support, and information before, during, and after childbirth

a person who attends the birthing family before, during, and just after the birth of the baby

a person who gives help and emotional care to a woman/couple who is in the last month of pregnancy and throughout her delivery

a person who is not involved in the delivery but is there as a support person for the birthing couple

a person who mothers the mother before, during and after childbirth

a person who stays with a woman during her birth, helping her to feel safe so she can more easily let go to give birth

a private labor coach

a professional assistant who gives emotional and tangible support to women in labor

a professional, holistic support person for your entire family

a professionally trained birth companion

a professionally trained companion who provides labor support and/or postpartum care

a professionally trained labor support provider, offering holistic, continuous informational, physical, and emotional support to the family giving birth

a professionally trained labour supporter who educates and supports new parents on their journey to parenthood

a professionally trained woman in childbirth who provides non-clinical, consistent and continuous care throughout labour and birth

a professionally trained woman who is experienced in childbirth and provides continuous physical, emotional and informational support to the mother before, during and just after childbirth

a proffessional birthing partner

a reassuring, calming, knowledgeable presence for both the mother and her partner

a source of informational, emotional, and physical support during a woman's pregnancy, labor and birth, as well as a reassuring presence during the first days and weeks of motherhood

a special birth coach or supporter who helps you and your partner at different stages during the process

a support companion who is present during childbirth to assist a labouring mother

a supportive companion, herself a mother, who is trained to help a new mother during childbirth and afterwards

a supportive companion (other than a friend or loved one) who is professionally trained to provide labor support

a supportive person professionally trained and experienced in childbirth

a support person during pregnancy

a support person who stays with a mother during labor and attends to her needs

a trained and experienced support person for a laboring woman

a trained and experienced woman who offers emotional and physical support to a woman and her partner if she has one, before, during and after childbirth

a trained birth coach -- a surrogate mother figure (without the baggage) who accompanies the couple throughout the entire labor and delivery process

a trained labor coach who provides support throughout labor and delivery

a trained labour companion who offers continuous emotional and practical support to a woman (or couple) before, during and after childbirth

a trained paraprofessional whose primary function is to offer non-clinical support for both the mother and child

a trained person experienced in childbirth who provides continuous physical, emotional, and informational support to the mother before, during and just after chidbirth

a trained person, most often a woman who understands the biological and medical processes involved in labour and obstetrics

a trusted woman providing continuous care from the prenatal through to the postpartum period, providing emotional support, reassurance and physical comfort measures to help the labouring woman

a trusted woman who provides continuous care from the prenatal through the postpartum period

a wilderness guide who will provide you with undivided attention and support each step of the way

a woman experienced in birth who provides emotional, physical, and informational support to the mother before, during, and just after childbirth

a woman experience in childbirth who provides continuous physical, emotional and informational support to the mother and their partner before, during and just after childbirth

a woman from the local community, recruited and trained to provide emotional and physical support to both the teen mother and baby during pregnancy, delivery, and the weeks after birth

a woman professionally trained in childbirth

a woman, specially trained to provide non-medical support to expectant families

a woman trained in labour assistance and/or postpartum care who supports mothers and their families through the complex emotional and physical transitions of pregnancy, labour, delivery and postpartum

a woman trained in the emotional and physical support of women in labor

a woman trained to provide families with help during the pregnancy, birth and postpartum period

a woman trained to support you during pregnancy, labor and birth, and teach you to care for your new baby

a woman who assists another woman during labor and provides support to her, the infant, and the family after childbirth

a woman who assists the couple through the journey of childbirth and early parenting

a woman who assists you during labor and provides support to you, your newborn, and your family after childbirth

a woman who attends the birthing family before, during, and just after the baby is born

a woman who attends the birthing family before, during, and just after the birth of a baby

a woman who focuses on the emotional, educational, and spiritual needs of a woman as she goes through pregnancy, childbirth, and the early stages of motherhood

a woman who has an education and experience assisting women through the childbirth process

a woman who has been trained to help women in labor and the postpartum period

a woman who helps women and their families through labor and birth

a woman who is trained and experienced in providing emotional and physical support to women and their partners in labor

a woman who is trained in supporting women in childbirth

a woman who is trained to help women and couples through labor and birth

a woman who is trained to help women through labour

a woman who is trained to provide physical, emotional, and informational support to mothers-to-be and their partners before, during labour and birth, and postpartum

a woman who mothers the mother through pregnancy, labor, birth and the postpartum period

a woman who nurtures and cares for the expectant or new mother

a woman who offers both practical and emotional support for woman before, during and after the birth of their child

a woman who offers support to another woman during her transition from pregnancy to motherhood

a woman who provides complete physical, emotional, and educational support to laboring women and their families

a woman who provides continuous labor support during childbirth, working together with the mother and her partner to assist with emotional and physical support, as well as relaxation techniques such as positioning and massage

a woman who provides emotional, physical and informational support to an expectant mother before, during and just after childbirth

a woman who provides physical and emotional support to a woman before, during and after childbirth

a woman who stays with you during labor and helps both you and your partner to feel comfortable

a woman who supports mothers-to-be, during birth and in the first few weeks after baby's birth

a woman who supports the birthing mother and her partner throughout labor and delivery to help her have a more satisfying birthing experience

a woman who supports women and their families during childbirth and is professionally trained in labor support

a woman who supports women through childbirth

a woman who takes care of the mother, so she can take care of the baby

a woman who understands and believes in the natural process of labor and a woman's ability to birth

a women who has had at least one baby herself, who will support you through your labour, or in the early weeks with your new baby

(or "labor assistant") - A trained woman who provides continuous physical and emotional support to a woman throughout labor and delivery.

An individual who interacts with and aids a woman at any time within the period that includes pregnancy, birth and lactation. A Doula may be a friend, relative or neighbor; male or female. One who gives psychological encouragement and physical assistance to a new mother or a lactating woman.

A woman trained to help a couple through labor, deliver and the postpartum period. See What is a doula

A non-medical person experienced and trained in childbirth whose role is to comfort and support the mother and family before, during, and after birth. A doula provides the mother with information, support, reassurance, and assistance throughout the birth process, including assistance with breast feeding.

A doula is a person specially trained to help during labour and after the birth of a baby. A doula might help a new mother to breastfeed, or cook, clean, and care for older children.

A professional birth partner.

The Greek definition is "trusted servant" or "woman's servant." Also known as a monitrice, the term refers to a woman who helps a couple through childbirth.

A doula is woman trained to support a woman and her partner in labor. She will provide support, massage, encouragement, and information to the couple to help them achieve the birth in the manner that the couple wishes. effaced This term refers to how thin the cervix is.

a professional labour support person who provides emotional support and information during labour. A doula does not deliver the baby or have a clinical role at the birth. For more information about the services of a doula and how to find a doula in your area (including Canada ), visit the Doulas of North America Web site.

someone who is trained to help a woman stay relaxed during labor and delivery. A doula often gives massage. The doula can also communicate with the medical team for the mother.

A lay woman who has been trained to assist laboring women. The trained labor assistance traditionally stays with the mother throughout labor, birth, and the first few hours following birth.

A professional labor assistant experienced in labor and delivery. She provides support, but not medical aid, and focuses only on the mother's needs during childbirth and immediately after.

A doula is a non-medical assistant in prenatal care, childbirth and during the postpartum period.