doula
Non-medical birth supporter
A doula is a trained companion who provides emotional and physical support during childbirth, though not medical care.
Unlike midwives or nurses, doulas focus on comfort measures, breathing techniques, and advocacy for the mother's wishes: Our doula helped us navigate the hospital experience.
Some doulas also assist during pregnancy or the postpartum period.
Childbirth assistance professional
- laborStrenuous effort; also childbirth
- deliveryConveyance of goods
- contractionsShortened word forms
- maternityState of being pregnant
newborn · postpartum · prenatal · childbirth · placenta · umbilical · cesarean · epidural
Reducing distress or discomfort
- relaxationState of being unwound
- calmFree from agitation
- reassuranceWords meant to calm
- solaceRelief from distress
ease · gentleness · warmth · tenderness · restfulness · aromatherapy · quiet · safe space
Support spurring continued effort
- reassuranceWords meant to calm
- presenceState of being somewhere
- patienceCalm during delays
- empathySharing another's emotions
compassion · companionship · advocacy · hand-holding · breathing techniques · positioning · massage · counterpressure
Overall state of health
- mindfulnessAwareness of the present
- integrativeCombining into a whole
- naturalNot artificially produced
- spiritualityConnection to the sacred
meditation · yoga · herbalism · ceremony · sacred · empowerment · intuition · body autonomy
Regaining what was lost
- breastfeedingLactation-based infant nourishment
- lactationMammary gland secretion
- newborn careTending to infants
- meal preparationReadying food for eating
infant feeding · emotional recovery · healing · sleep deprivation · baby blues · fourth trimester · swaddling · diapering
Top competitor, or advocate
- voiceSound from throat
- informed consentPermission given with understanding
- communicationExchanging ideas or information
- medical terminologyHealthcare field's specialized vocabulary
questions · rights · choices · empowerment · liaison · interpreter · birth plan · self-advocacy
midwife
Childbirth assistance professional
- laborStrenuous effort; also childbirth
- deliveryConveyance of goods
- contractionsShortened word forms
maternity · newborn · postpartum · prenatal · childbirth · placenta · umbilical · cesarean · epidural · natural birth
soothing
Reducing distress or discomfort
- relaxationState of being unwound
- calmFree from agitation
- reassuranceWords meant to calm
solace · ease · gentleness · warmth · tenderness · restfulness · aromatherapy · quiet · safe space · grounding
encouragement
Support spurring continued effort
- reassuranceWords meant to calm
- presenceState of being somewhere
- patienceCalm during delays
empathy · compassion · companionship · advocacy · hand-holding · breathing techniques · positioning · massage · counterpressure · affirmations
wellness
Overall state of health
- mindfulnessAwareness of the present
- integrativeCombining into a whole
- naturalNot artificially produced
spirituality · meditation · yoga · herbalism · ceremony · sacred · empowerment · intuition · body autonomy · informed choice
recovery
Regaining what was lost
- breastfeedingLactation-based infant nourishment
- lactationMammary gland secretion
- newborn careTending to infants
infant feeding · meal preparation · emotional recovery · healing · sleep deprivation · baby blues · fourth trimester · swaddling · diapering · soothing
champion
Top competitor, or advocate
- voiceSound from throat
- informed consentPermission given with understanding
- communicationExchanging ideas or information
medical terminology · questions · rights · choices · empowerment · liaison · interpreter · birth plan · self-advocacy · decision-making
- helpersnurse, helper, volunteer, aide, assistant
- women's healthgynecologist, gynecology, menstruation, OB-GYN, period
- birth professionalsmidwife, obstetrician, OB-GYN, nurse midwife, birth attendant
- birth attendantsbirth coach
- occupationsdoctor, teacher, baker, lawyer, nurse
- Maternity Wardmaternity ward, labor and delivery, delivery room, labor room, midwife
doulaobstetrician
Childbirth physician
OB-GYN · interventionist · surgeon · anesthesiologist · attending physician
- death doulaCompanion for the dying