For many people who are pregnant or have just given birth, the landscape of unknowns can be overwhelming. The medical system, with all of its cracks, doesn’t always prepare new parents for the physical and emotional toll of pregnancy and birth. That’s where doulas come in. Doulas are nonmedical care workers who assist people throughout the pregnancy, birth, and postpartum processes by providing education, emotional, physical, and logistical support, as well as advocacy within medical settings. Stacker spoke with doulas, researchers, healthcare advocates, and educators about the work doulas and birth workers are doing to uplift their communities and make giving birth safer for everyone. #pregnancy #birth #birthdoula #pride #queer