From Webster's:
doula, dou·la ,\ˈdü-lə\ , noun
female helper, maidservant, from Greek doulē female slave
Today, doula is the widely used term for a woman that assists a family during the labor/birth or postpartum period.
I am a DONA certified labor/birth doula and a Hypnobabies Childbirth Hypno-Doula as well as a DONA trained postpartum doula.
As a birth doula, I believe that my role is to guide the mother through the birthing process. I am there to help nurture the family unit - mother and partner. I never want to detract from the role of the primary birth coach. I can help guide the mother and her coach on more effective techniques for coping with her birthing time. I help the coach better serve the mother's needs, in whatever manner necessary. I will draw on my life experience and training to provide emotional and physical support for mother and partner.
As a postpartum doula, I am there to help you through the fourth trimester. Those first 12 weeks at home bring many transitions: integrating a baby into the home, motherhood, fatherhood, big brothers and sisters, breastfeeding. I am there to help you navigate that time and find ways to make day-to-day life a bit easier with your new family unit.
I am an active member of the Central Texas Doula Association (CTDA), currently serving as their webmaster. While I no longer volunteer my services through Giving Austin Labor Support (GALS), I do provide support to many women needing a low cost doula. I firmly believe in the value of experienced labor and postpartum support and want to make sure that all women who want it, have access to that support.