Domino Kirke

The idea of windows, that's so symbolic to me within labor. And I'm always opening windows during a birth. If someone's been in labor all night and they're exhausted and sort of over it, opening a window or drawing a curtain can change the game. And sometimes the doula is the first one to suggest it.

English Musician

Margherita Missoni

I've been eating a porridge of millet for breakfast, something that my doula recommended I eat. It doesn't taste that great, but it's supposed to be really nourishing for the baby, and you're not supposed to eat any gluten when you're pregnant. I've been making pancakes out of it and add berries.

Italian Designer

My family realized I was going to do birth work and then music; they were like, 'What's a doula? This is not what you were meant to do!' And I was like, 'Everyone thinks they can only do one thing.

I'm not like, 'I'm a famous doula.' I'm a doula. I'm trying to find a way to get rid of the stigma around 'You're the singer; You're the actor' - we have to be able to do more than one thing.

I was always interested in becoming a midwife. Then, at my own birth, I didn't get the support I'd hoped for, and that changed everything. That's why I became a doula. There's such a need.

My son's birth was pretty life-shattering, in good ways and bad ways. I realized that I needed a doula because I'm not close to my mom, and I don't have a lot of people in New York.

Katie Lowes

I wanted a doula because it's my first baby, and I want to be able to call her when I'm going into labor so she can come over and help us go through the early stage.

American Actress

In my family, it was always encouraged to become a creative person. I became a doula instead, then I married an actor, and my sisters became famous almost overnight.

I go to bed early, and normally before I do, I have a tea - it's a special tea that my doula gave me, and it takes about 25 minutes to make!

Emily Oster

Even if you are planning a birth with an epidural, the evidence suggests that a doula can help make things go much more smoothly.

American Economist

A doula offers comfort and encouragement to reduce stress during childbirth.

Emotional Support

Doulas provide support but don't perform medical tasks, which are done by doctors or midwives.

Non-medical Role

Understand that a doula supports before birth with preparation and after with newborn care.

Before and After

 For the last decade as a doula turned journalist and blogger, I've been trying to raise the alarm about just how different the experiences of women of color, but particularly black women, are when it comes to pregnancy and birth in the US. But when I tell people about these appalling statistics,

How racism harms...

 for by women of color with this idea in mind the doula training was insufficient in meeting the needs of women of color more broadly that it really didn't speak to anything cultural we provide comprehensive support