A birth doula provides emotional, physical, and informational support to a birthing person before, during, and after childbirth. Their role is to help ensure a positive and empowering birth experience by offering continuous presence, advocacy, and comfort.

Services include:
1) Prenatal Support:
Meet with the expectant family to discuss birth preferences, fears, and expectations.
Provide information on birthing options, comfort techniques, and help create a birth plan.
Offer guidance on relaxation, breathing exercises, and positions for labor.

2) Labor Support:
Be with the birthing person throughout labor, offering encouragement, physical comfort (such as massage, positioning, or helping with breathing techniques), and emotional reassurance.
Help the birthing person advocate for themselves with medical staff, ensuring their preferences are respected.
Provide physical support to the partner, helping them be involved in the birth process.

3) Postpartum Support:
Offer guidance on newborn care, breastfeeding, and recovery after birth.
Help the family adjust to life with a new baby by providing emotional support and practical advice.

A birth doula does not provide medical care or deliver the baby but works alongside the medical team to help the birthing person feel supported and empowered throughout the process.