doula

American  

[doo-luh] / ˈdu lə /

noun

1. a woman who assists women during labor and after childbirth.

2. a professional who provides support and assistance to individuals or families, especially during a medical or emotional crisis (used in combination).

   death doulas who offer comfort and companionship to dying patients.

---

doula British  

/ ˈduːlə /

noun

1. a woman who is trained to provide support to women and their families during pregnancy, childbirth, and the period of time following the birth

---

Etymology

Origin of doula

First recorded in 1975–80; from Modern Greek: literally, “female servant”

Example Sentences

While home births were once the province of counterculture hippies, Los Angeles doula Rebecca Richter said she’d been hearing from women of all walks of life “who desire more than the system is giving them.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 3, 2026

She took an online home-birthing class, watched YouTube videos, reached out to midwife practices to assemble her care team and hired a doula.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 3, 2026

A doula meets people wherever they are and this includes their use of language.

From Los Angeles Times • May 19, 2025

Every doula arrives with a set of skills, and mine in this moment with B was to listen, record and write her book.

From Los Angeles Times • May 19, 2025

She also works as a death doula, which involves supporting people who are dying, as well as their loved ones, to make informed funeral care choices.

From BBC • Dec. 14, 2024