Birth Support in Israel, from the beginning to after birth is crucial to a well integrated immigrant family.  There are so very many factors that go into healthy outcomes – this is a topic for another blog.

Do you know what  "DOULA" means?According to Webster’s dictionary:

dou⋅la –noun

a woman who assists women during labor and after childbirth.

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Origin:
1975–80; < Mod Gk: female servant

slave –noun

I prefer MUMCHA- specialist.  I don’t like the word "Doula"… since when is a woman who attends and assists to women in labor and postpartum- a slave?  You have got to be kidding me.  She’s a Support Specialist.  Plain and simple.  Being that the word "Doula" is common, it’s a hard word to ditch.

One of my main problems is that "Doula" is really a ubiquitous term.  It’s  not tangible to a person who is unfamiliar with the inner circle of birth.  Even then, there is confusion.  Midwives are trained in birth, Nurses are trained in medical birth support, Obstetricians are medical birth specialists – everone understands this. But "DOULA"? it’s a modern term that is not commonly understood or identified. Doulas are there to support the woman- like a loving sister/friend/mom/aunt… you get what I am saying. 

Now, I have begun training women to provide support for families After Birth. I have adopted the word "doula" but I feel it is inadequate, and insufficient.  I feel they are Mumchot- Specialists… but I would have to battle uphill for recognition of this new term.  As I said.  I am stuck with this name.  I don’t have to like it.  

Doulas are more than "slaves"- a derogatory  term which implies subservience, dependence and  debasement.  Women who help others in the capacity of a doula, are specialists in comfort, care and guidance. This is a battle, I don’t want to fight, I just want my preference to be known.

Just my 2 cents…