The word doula comes from a Greek word meaning “woman helper.”  Today, a doula is a supportive companion, trained to give support during labor.

All of our doulas are professionally trained; many through the international organization DONA International - Doulas of North America International, to Labor (formerly ALACE), or CAPPA - Childbirth and Postpartum Professional Assosication. Whether a pregnant woman arrives at the hospital alone or with family and friends, the doula can help her to have a more comfortable birthing experience. As a thanks to our UNC patients, we conveniently offer our doula services free of charge.

Please contact us at: doula@unch.unc.edu.

UNC volunteer doulas are available to anyone who would like to have one at their birth. Although we cannot guarantee that a volunteer Doula will always be available, we make every effort to provide you with this service.

The services of a Doula can be requested upon arrival to UNC Women's Hospital, make sure to tell the nurses taking care of you that would like to have a UNC Volunteer Doula (specify if you need her to be bilingual in Spanish) and they will call the Doula on-call for you. If you would like more information about our program or would like to request a doula prior to your delivery day, we will make every possible effort to match you with a trained UNC Volunteer Doula a couple of weeks or more prior to your due date.

Please contact us at: doula@unch.unc.edu.

For more general information about Doulas you may visit: www.dona.org

The doulas of the UNC Volunteer Doula Service Program are committed to helping every laboring woman have a satisfying birth experience at N.C. Women's Hospital.  We believe that a doula's caring support helps a woman have a more positive birth experience, regardless of the type of labor and birth she has.  In addition, it is our goal to foster partner participation (when applicable) and to help establish breastfeeding for those women who choose to breastfeed.  We are particularly proud to be able to offer these services to women who would otherwise be unable to afford doula care.  We believe that a positive birth combined with partner participation and breastfeeding creates a strong foundation for greater confidence in parenting, and a good start for any new family.

Interested in becoming part of the UNC Volunteer Doula Service?

Upcoming Doula Trainings