/ˈduːlə/
OriginBorrowed from Greek δούλα (doúla, “servant-woman”), from Ancient Greek δούλη (doúlē, “female slave”). Popularized by the American anthropologist Dana Raphael in the book The Tender Gift: Breastfeeding (1973), where the word is credited to Eleni Rassias.
- A trained support person who provides emotional, physical and practical assistance to a pregnant woman or couple before, during or after childbirth.
“The function of the doula varies in different cultures from a little help here and there to complete succoring, including bathing, cooking, carrying, and feeding. Whatever the doula does, however, is ”
“Rebekah Rosler, a therapist and doula, decided to leave, even though her family history in New York goes back to the 1870s, she said.”
- A trained person who provides similar support to someone who is diagnosed with an incurable condition and is receiving end-of-life care.
Formsdoulas(plural)