Commonsense Childbirth Training Institute

A doula is a healthcare professional who provides non-medical support and care through education, guidance and counseling for pregnant and parenting women and families. She promotes a healthy pregnancy and encourages active participation throughout the childbearing year. These non-clinician perinatal providers are trained to work professionally in a variety of settings including private practices, birth centers, clinics, hospitals community settings and homes.

Doulas pay attention to the emotional and physical needs of mothers, while encouraging self-determination and self-advocacy to reach the desired outcomes. In any setting that doulas work they are able to enhance the experience by giving continuous and committed support to the expressed needs or choices of the mother. A doula offers prenatal and postpartum home visits and once labor has begun, is available continuously at the delivery site assisting the parents during the birth of their child. 

Doulas educate and support women throughout pregnancy, birth and postpartum and are able to teach across the life-course as they interact with the whole family during the course of each maternity episode. An accomplished doula advocates, educates and supports a woman, her partner and her family through one of the most precious times in their lives.