A doula is a person, often formally trained or certified, who provides physical, emotional, and informational support to individuals and families during pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum period. Doulas can specialize further—some of the specialization areas are listed below. A person doing this type of work may also choose to use a different title other than doula, such as “birth companion” or “promotora.”

Community-Based Doula: Community-based doulas are birth workers serving families within varying communities that center African descended people, Indigenous families, and people of color. Community-Based Doulas understand the importance of seeing a birthing individual, baby, and partner as a connected unit. This support is responsive to the whole birth experience and considers how physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual experiences impact pregnancy, labor, birth, and postpartum period. Community-Based Doulas serve in a human rights framework to ensure that all people and families have access to safe, dignified, and culturally relevant care geared toward elevating the platforms of health equity, reproductive justice, and all stages of maternal health.