On Our Use of the Word “Doula” | Gather Birth Cooperative

You’ll notice throughout our website, blog, and social media accounts that we’ve used “doula,” “birthworker,” and “birth support” interchangeably throughout the years, slowly but surely shifting away from the term “doula.” As small business owners and birth professionals, we’re at a crossroads in how we refer to ourselves. We’d like to invite others to join us in moving away from the use of the word doula. We’d also like to open the conversation: what term feels best to you? Is there a way we can ignite change, make our work searchable and accessible in pop culture, and be on the right side of history?

On one hand, we are constantly working to boost our presence on the internet so that folks can find us when they’re looking for birth support and documentation. “Doula” is a word that is increasingly familiar - it’s even mentioned in popular tv shows such as Gilmore Girls, Bones, Frasier, and Girls. Oftentimes, it’s the primary keyword that expecting parents use for their internet searches.

Yet, on the other hand, we know language is powerful and the words we use carry intent, impact, and sometimes, the possibility for change.

The word “doula” is said to be derived from the Greek language and is commonly translated to mean “female slave” or “woman’s servant.” This makes us uncomfortable because community birth work in America, including the practice of midwifery, has historically been performed by Black folks, and using a word that is connected to the enslavement of Black people feels deeply inappropriate. Not only that, but utilizing a word linked to gender binaries feels exclusionary. While we acknowledge “doula” to be a word that is regularly associated with the work we do, we try to avoid using it when possible.

So for now, we’ll continue using “birth support professional” and “birth worker” to describe ourselves and the work we do whenever possible. We’ll continue to help families and other birth professionals in our community feel safe and seen through our work. And we look forward to continuing the conversation on how we can do better, from the language we use to the ways in which we show up in the [birth] world.