Birth Doulas have been around for as long as people have been having babies. The profession started as women assisting other women in their villages through the birth process because it really does take a village! 

The support role has evolved over time with the way we interact in our societies and the role has been mostly absorbed by family members and friends. But in the 1970's during a unrelated scientific study, the founders of DONA International stumbled upon an unexpected discovery. During this study they discovered how much of an impact having a knowledgeable support person in the room who's sole focus was the birthing person really mattered! The satisfaction of birth increased, the perceived pain was diminished and so many more improvements are being studied!