According to the Wikipedia, the definition of a doula is as follows: A doula is a non-medical assistant in prenatal care, childbirth, and during the postpartum period.
Now a days a doula isn't so much called a doula but more so a labor assistant.
Someone who is there to support you through labor.
So if your going through the birthing process and would like some sort of support then a doula may be for you.
There are three types of doulas, the labor support doula, the postpartum doula and the community doula.
The labor support doula helps the mother to be during the laboring process.
The doula does not do any medical tasks but is there to help the expecting mother to make informed medical decisions as well as to offer massage and aromatherapy.
The labor process especially if going through natural childbirth goes a lot easier typically when a doula is there helping you through birth.
The postpartum doula is good for a first time mother who is on her own or if you have other children and just need help for a week or so after your baby has come.
This doula comes home with you to help you with things such as breastfeeding tips and also help you while learning to become a new mother.
A community doula is a doula who is both a labor support doula as well as a postpartum doula.
You will get to know this doula a lot better, and this will help you with better support for both you and your baby.
A doula is there for extra support, not to take place of the husband or father or significant other, sometimes the father is overwhelmed and doesn't know what to do so it is good to have a doula there for additional support.
In the US and Canada you have to be certified to be a doula.
So anyone that goes through the certification classes can be a doula.
So if you know of a friend or someone you want to help with your birth you can find a class locally and get trained to be a doula.
This would be a great experience, to be trained in such a miracle of life.