Doula : Questions and Answers
The word doula originates from the Ancient Greek and infers the position of a female slave.
In modern terminology a doula refers to one who labors with a woman and serves her during
childbirth and the postpartum period.
A doula is a non-medical mother-labor assistant and is trained in both physical and emotional
comfort measures. Improved birth outcomes along with shortened dura- tion are associated with
doula supported birth.
The overarching objective of a doula is to safeguard the mother, protect her space, ensure a
feeling of safety and inspire confidence in her own ability before, during, and after delivery.
A doula is a pregnancy, birth and postpartum companion.
A doula is educated in understanding and recognizing both the emotional and physical needs a
woman has and works to meet those needs .
Being a doula is an effective ministry tool because it allows you the ability to speak
into their lives,support and encourage them, invite Jesus into the very room in which the labor,
meet them in their most intimate moment and to love and intercede for each woman.
A doula is a: Female Servant, Enslaved One, Nurturer, Protector, Educator, Companion,
Advocate, Safe Place, Comforter, Encourager
What are some of the ways a doula can help women?
A doula does, but is not limited to, the following: Birth Education, Birth Planning and
Preparation, Home Visits, Massage: Prenatal, Postpartum and Newborn, Optimal Fetal Position,
Support and Comfort During Labor, Photography, Birth Story, Debriefing, and Belly Binding.
A doula can guarantee: To be honest with the mother during all aspects of pregnancy, labor and
birth. To provide a feeling of safety and assurance when all is normal. To explain clearly the
situation as it occurs. To be an advocate and help each woman maintain her voice. To not be
easily offended. To help each woman cope with the physical pain.
Pain is inevitable. Suffering is optional.
1 3/7/2026
, Doula : Questions and Answers
The benefits of a doula are:
50% fewer cesarean sections
60% fewer requests for epidurals
40% reduction in the use of synthetic oxytocin for inductions or augmentations 30% reduction in
use of pain medication
25% reduction in labor length Increased rates of breastfeeding at 6 weeks postpartum.
Higher self-esteem and less depression at 6 weeks postpartum.
What is a doula not?
A doula is not a nurse nor a midwife.
A doula should walk with the woman through the whole process, bringing comfort and
knowledge in all periods surrounding the triad months of childbearing (the month before, the
month of and the month following birth).
What is a montrice?
A montrice is considered a non-medical birth attendant with both doula capacity and clinical
assessment skills.
What skills does a montrice use?
Montrice skills include prenatal education, taking and documenting vital signs of the mother,
vaginal exams for progress of labor, newborn assessment and care, breast-feeding and lactation
support, weighing of the baby and charting growth progress.
In both the capacity of doula and montrice, we are above all a servant.
Doulas anticipate and meet the needs of the mother and advocate for her to receive the best care
possible; we are her voice.
The doula's role in providing emotional support is distinct from the obstetric nurse and midwife.
Professional doulas utilize intricate and complex emotional support skills when providing
continuous support for women in labor.
What is one of the main tools a doula brings to a birth?
Emotional support is one of the main tools a doula brings into the labor room.
2 3/7/2026
The word doula originates from the Ancient Greek and infers the position of a female slave.
In modern terminology a doula refers to one who labors with a woman and serves her during
childbirth and the postpartum period.
A doula is a non-medical mother-labor assistant and is trained in both physical and emotional
comfort measures. Improved birth outcomes along with shortened dura- tion are associated with
doula supported birth.
The overarching objective of a doula is to safeguard the mother, protect her space, ensure a
feeling of safety and inspire confidence in her own ability before, during, and after delivery.
A doula is a pregnancy, birth and postpartum companion.
A doula is educated in understanding and recognizing both the emotional and physical needs a
woman has and works to meet those needs .
Being a doula is an effective ministry tool because it allows you the ability to speak
into their lives,support and encourage them, invite Jesus into the very room in which the labor,
meet them in their most intimate moment and to love and intercede for each woman.
A doula is a: Female Servant, Enslaved One, Nurturer, Protector, Educator, Companion,
Advocate, Safe Place, Comforter, Encourager
What are some of the ways a doula can help women?
A doula does, but is not limited to, the following: Birth Education, Birth Planning and
Preparation, Home Visits, Massage: Prenatal, Postpartum and Newborn, Optimal Fetal Position,
Support and Comfort During Labor, Photography, Birth Story, Debriefing, and Belly Binding.
A doula can guarantee: To be honest with the mother during all aspects of pregnancy, labor and
birth. To provide a feeling of safety and assurance when all is normal. To explain clearly the
situation as it occurs. To be an advocate and help each woman maintain her voice. To not be
easily offended. To help each woman cope with the physical pain.
Pain is inevitable. Suffering is optional.
1 3/7/2026
, Doula : Questions and Answers
The benefits of a doula are:
50% fewer cesarean sections
60% fewer requests for epidurals
40% reduction in the use of synthetic oxytocin for inductions or augmentations 30% reduction in
use of pain medication
25% reduction in labor length Increased rates of breastfeeding at 6 weeks postpartum.
Higher self-esteem and less depression at 6 weeks postpartum.
What is a doula not?
A doula is not a nurse nor a midwife.
A doula should walk with the woman through the whole process, bringing comfort and
knowledge in all periods surrounding the triad months of childbearing (the month before, the
month of and the month following birth).
What is a montrice?
A montrice is considered a non-medical birth attendant with both doula capacity and clinical
assessment skills.
What skills does a montrice use?
Montrice skills include prenatal education, taking and documenting vital signs of the mother,
vaginal exams for progress of labor, newborn assessment and care, breast-feeding and lactation
support, weighing of the baby and charting growth progress.
In both the capacity of doula and montrice, we are above all a servant.
Doulas anticipate and meet the needs of the mother and advocate for her to receive the best care
possible; we are her voice.
The doula's role in providing emotional support is distinct from the obstetric nurse and midwife.
Professional doulas utilize intricate and complex emotional support skills when providing
continuous support for women in labor.
What is one of the main tools a doula brings to a birth?
Emotional support is one of the main tools a doula brings into the labor room.
2 3/7/2026
