What Is a Doula?

Celebrating Women

The word "doula" comes from ancient Greek, meaning "a woman who serves." Today, "doula" refers to a professional trained to provide emotional, physical and informational support to women throughout their pregnancy, birth, and the early postpartum period. Since ancient times, doulas have assisted women throughout the centuries with births at home, in the hospital, or at a birth center, and they have provided pain management techniques as well as reassurance and advocacy in the labor room. These women still provide valuable roles in the 21st century.

In celebration of National Doula Week and Women's History Month, we're honoring all the important roles of doulas who work around the world by hosting an informational program presented by Aeryka, owner of Through Thick & Thin Doula Services. Throughout the program, participants will be able to ask questions while exploring the various roles of doulas, learn about doula history, and listen to stories and experiences that shape the valuable work doula's do.

About Aeryka Harvey

Aeryka holds an Associates in Biology, a Bachelor of Science in Biology and Chemistry, a Masters of Public Health with Emphasis in Women’s and Reproductive Health, and a Doctorate of Osteopathic Medicine. She is presently a second year OBGYN resident and a certified birth, postpartum, and bereavement doula and placenta encapsulator. As a doula, Aeryka’s role is to support mothers informationally, offering knowledge, research, dialogue, and whatever else is necessary to help them make informed decisions throughout their pregnancy and birth. She established Through Thick & Thin Doula Services as a personal call to action and has a blog called Doula Chronicles.

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