By definition, a doula is a person who provides support and accompaniment.

To accompany means to walk alongside someone, to stand by them through their journey, and to respect their own pace, while offering presence, empathy, and support.

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A doula’s approach is grounded in respect and understanding of physiological processes. Through preparation meetings and ongoing support, she helps create a satisfying experience that honors the wishes of the parents. The relational continuity, built over several weeks, allows the doula to develop a deep bond of trust and to understand the family’s needs, concerns, and aspirations. This privileged relationship, combined with her training, also enables her to identify situations requiring special attention and to guide families toward appropriate community resources.

 

Doulas are distinguished by the following characteristics:

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Continuous relational support
Establishing a secure bond of trust through multiple meetings and regular communication.
Providing ongoing presence through the various stages and maintaining consistent support over several weeks.

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Empowerment
Strengthening the ability of individuals and parents to act by recognizing their inner resources, supporting their decision-making autonomy, and fostering confidence in their own abilities.

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Voluntary and personalized approach
A service freely chosen by parents and tailored to their specific needs, in respect of their culture, values, and beliefs.
A practice rooted in the expressed needs and desires of the individual and the parents.

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Autonomy and independence of practice

Doulas work through community organizations or in private practice, entirely independent of medical and institutional systems.

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Strictly non-medical framework

Provides complementary support alongside medical follow-up, without intervening in or performing any reserved medical acts.

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Although doulas can provide support at many moments in a person’s life, the AQD has chosen to intentionally bring together and represent doulas who accompany the different stages of the reproductive journey,including pregnancy, birth, and the postnatal period, as well as fertility, pregnancy termination, and perinatal loss.