Doulas

Doulas: A doula provides non-medical support to a woman giving birth, and/or to the woman and family after the birth. Childbirth Connection offers a lot of information about various types of labor support, including the option of having a friend or family member provide this support. Several organizations offer training and certification to doulas, as well as directories for women looking for a doula in their geographic area. See BirthWorks, DONA International, and CAPPA (Childbirth and Postpartum Professional Association). There are also some volunteer doula programs for people in special circumstances: Operation Special Delivery for families in the military services. For a listing of volunteer doula programs see Radical Doula.