"Doula" comes from the Greek word

"Doula" comes from the Greek word for the female servant in ancient times who assisted the lady of the household through her childbearing and beyond. Today, it refers to "a woman experienced in childbirth who provides continuous physical, emotional, and informational support to the mother before, during and after childbirth" (The Doula Book by Klaus, Kennell & Klaus). The doula movement is simply bringing back the age old custom of women being in service to other women.