doula

Thân thiện

A doula holds the mother's hand and offers calm encouragement during labor.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A trained companion who provides continuous physical, emotional, and informational support to a person before, during, and after childbirth: A doula is a non-medical professional who assists a birthing person, offering comfort, encouragement, and guidance through labor and delivery.
   • A support person for a woman in labor: This role often involves helping the laboring person use breathing techniques, relaxation methods, and positioning learned in prenatal classes.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • We hired a doula to provide additional support during the home birth.
  • The doula helped her manage the pain with massage and calming words.

Advanced Usage

• "Birth doula": A doula who specifically supports the birthing person during labor and delivery.
  • A birth doula can be an invaluable advocate in the delivery room.
• "Postpartum doula": A doula who provides support to the new family after the baby is born, often helping with infant care, breastfeeding, and household tasks.
  • The postpartum doula came twice a week to help with the newborn and allow the parents to rest.

Variants and Related Words

• Doulaing (gerund/noun): The act or profession of providing doula support.
  • She found her calling in doulaing.
• Doulaship: The state or condition of being a doula.

Synonyms

• Birth companion: A person who accompanies and supports someone during childbirth.
• Labor support professional: A formal term for a trained individual who assists during childbirth.

Notes on Meaning

The reference definition specifies "often the father of the soon-to-be-born child," but in modern and professional usage, a doula is typically a trained individual who is not a family member or partner. Their role is distinct from that of the partner; they provide expert, continuous support to both the birthing person and their partner. The core meaning is a trained, experienced support person for childbirth.

Học thuật

Noun

1. an assistant (often the father of the soon-to-be-born child) who provides support for a woman in labor by encouraging her to use techniques learned in childbirth-preparation classes

Từ đồng nghĩa

• labor coach
• birthing coach
• monitrice