What is a Doula?

Doulas are professionals trained to provide continuous physical, emotional, informational, and advocacy support to parents and families. While Doulas are not medical providers, Doulas are an essential part of care teams—helping families with support and education to make informed choices throughout fertility, pregnancy, loss, birth, and postpartum.

Why is a Doula important?

Research consistently links Doula support to:

  • Reduced rates of preterm births and low birth weight

  • Lower cesarean section rates

  • Improved maternal mental health

  • Higher rates of breastfeeding initiation and continuation

  • Cost savings of approximately $1,000 per birth by preventing complications and unnecessary medical interventions

Texas has a higher-than-average preterm birth rate, leading to costly NICU stays and long-term health challenges for babies, such as developmental delays and chronic conditions. The state also has an elevated rate of cesarean births, which are linked to increased maternal mortality and complications like infections and hemorrhaging. Additionally, mental health conditions, including postpartum depression and anxiety, remain a leading cause of maternal deaths in Texas.