No one should have to give birth alone.

Doulas are here to support you during pregnancy, miscarriage, abortion, birthing, and parenting.

Doulas are trained coaches/companions who listen to your concerns, provide support, and help you advocate for your needs. They are from the community and speak the same languages of the individuals they support.

What do Doulas Do?

Doulas work with you 1-1 to provide education, emotional support, and physical assistance, like:

  • Listening to your concerns & questions, and providing non-judgmental, factual, timely, and culturally relevant information and education. For example, doulas can teach you about:

    • Body changes you may experience and how to get the right nutrition during changes 

    • Pain-management techniques (breathing, relaxation, positioning, massage, etc.),

    • Potential complications, procedures, and how to be prepared in case

    • How to heal and take care of yourself after birth

    • How to care for your newborn including feeding, lactation, sleep, warning signs, etc. 

  • Helping you understand the medical system and your options, encouraging questions and discussions, and assisting in advocating for your plans, preferences, and concerns (attending appointments, helping communicate decisions to hospital staff and/or to family)

  • Assisting you in creating a list of birth preferences so you have a say in how your birth goes, and can make the best decisions for you and your baby.

  • Referring you to resources such as baby supplies like diapers, clothing, car seats, and more!

  • Creating a nurturing environment during childbirth and postpartum to support your well-being and transition into parenthood. 

It is also important to remember that doulas do not provide medical advice or diagnoses of any kind. Doulas do not change the recommendations of a doctor, midwife, nurse, or other healthcare professional. They do perform medical tasks or clinical care of any kind (such as vaginal exams, fetal heart monitoring, catching the baby, etc.) and they do not make decisions for the birthing person or pressure them in any way. Doulas never replace the role or presence of a partner, rather doulas will complement and enhance their experience too by encouraging their participation and offering reassurance.

Benefits of Doula Care

Doula care can result in better birthing outcomes, such as:

  • Shorter labor

  • Decreased need for c-section

  • Decreased need for instruments (forceps or vacuums) during vaginal birth 

  • Decreased need for medications and anesthesia during labor

  • Decreased risk of baby being premature or having low birth weight

  • Decreased risk of baby being sent to NICU (neonatal ICU)

  • Better APGAR scores for baby (heart rate, respiration, muscle tone)

  • Better breastfeeding rates

  • Better mother-baby bonding

  • More satisfactory birth experience 

  • Decreased rates of postpartum depression

How Can You Get A Doula?

Anyone who is receiving pregnancy or postpartum care at Elmhurst Hospital or Queens Hospital is eligible for the HoPE Program.

To request HoPE doula services, please ask your healthcare provider for a referral to the HoPE Program at your next visit, OR call 646-619-6721 to request a referral to HoPE.


If you are in NYC and not eligible for HoPE, you can still receive affordable or free-of-charge doula care through the Citywide Doula Initiative. Outside of NYC you can find a doula via DONA.