A doula is a woman who supports pregnant women and their partners and family through the process of pregnancy, birth and early parenthood. The word 'doula' comes from the Greek word meaning 'servant'.

The practice of a doula is ancient. There have always been women sitting with women through the pregnancy and birthing process, bearing witness to their efforts and providing support and encouragement. The modern doula or birth attendant continues to provide this service and due to the increased medicalisation of pregnancy and birth also provides informational support and experience of the current maternity care spectrum, from obstetric hospital care to homebirth.

At Birth Circle, we prefer the terms ‘Birth Support’ or 'Birth Attendant' as it is less ambiguous and more aptly describes our role and services. We shy away from the fairly common Doula term ‘mothering the mother’. Our aim is promote your inner strength, confidence and ability to carry and birth your baby with positive and nurturing advice and support. We do however, use both terms (Doula and Birth Support/Attendant) throughout the website to describe our work.

Although not yet recognised as a profession in Australia, doulas are a well established part of the maternity care field in the USA, Canada and Great Britain. We are not medically trained and are not midwives. We do not have clinical responsibilities, cannot offer medical advice or comment on the advice you may receive from medical professionals. We are not assistants to hospital staff, such as midwives and obstetricians. We are employed by the woman and are present solely to support the woman and her family and their wishes.

At Birth Circle, we strongly believe in choice for women. The combination of informed choice and support allows a woman the space she needs to prepare for her baby and enables her to birth with confidence, no matter what the outcome may be. We cannot make decisions for you, but can provide unbiased information or additional points of view. We encourage you and your partner to have a voice in the birth process, and can discuss positive ways to achieve this.

A Doula providing birth support will work together with both you and your partner to create the birth you plan. We do not in any way replace the father/partner. A Doula will discuss any worries or concerns you may have and share practical information regarding positioning, massage and ways that they can be there for you during the birth process. In many ways, we provide backup for the father/partner and encourage them to be your advocate. We can organise the background details so that he/she can focus on you.