Why more Nigerian women are embracing doula care

As awareness of maternal mental health and personalised childbirth grows, more Nigerian women are embracing doula care. Wellness educator and certified labour and postpartum doula Osunlolu Abimbola explains why the profession is gaining acceptance.

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Until a few years ago, few Nigerians had heard of doulas. Today, however, more expectant mothers are seeking their services, while increasing numbers of women are training to become doulas themselves.

Unlike doctors, nurses or midwives, doulas do not diagnose illnesses, prescribe medication or deliver babies. Instead, they provide physical, emotional and educational support before, during and after childbirth, helping mothers feel informed, confident and supported throughout the process.

Among those helping to introduce more Nigerians to the profession is Osunlolu Abimbola, a certified labour and postpartum doula, wellness educator and founder of A3 Botanical World.

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Why more women are embracing doulas

Speaking with PREMIUM TIMES, Ms Abimbola said many women are beginning to realise that pregnancy is as much an emotional experience as it is a medical one.

According to her, while hospitals play an indispensable role in ensuring safe deliveries, many mothers also desire someone who stays with them throughout the journey, answering questions, offering reassurance and helping them prepare for life after childbirth.

“Women don’t just need medical care,” she said. “They also need someone who can support them emotionally, educate them, advocate for them where necessary and remind them that they are not alone.”

She added that motherhood should not be viewed as an event that begins in labour and ends after delivery.

Blending modern care with indigenous knowledge

For Ms Abimbola, holistic well-being means integrating the strengths of modern maternal care with indigenous wellness practices.

She argues that healthcare should not force women to choose between conventional medicine and traditional knowledge. Rather, both can complement one another when applied responsibly.

That philosophy shapes her work through A3 Botanical World, where she combines professional doula practice with wellness education and indigenous botanical knowledge.

Her journey reflects that balance.

In 2020, she completed an apprenticeship in Medical Herbs and Research under the Agbagba Herbs Research Centre in Ogun State through A3 Botanical World.

Three years later, she obtained her Labour and Postpartum Doula Certification from Blooming Lotus Birthing Service, which provided her with internationally recognised training in childbirth support.

Today, she uses both experiences to educate women about pregnancy, postpartum recovery, and holistic well-being.

Growing influence

Beyond consultations, Ms Abimbola has built a strong digital community, attracting more than 300,000 followers across TikTok, Facebook and Instagram and generating over two million engagements.

Through educational videos and wellness content, she discusses motherhood, spirituality, intentional living and maternal wellbeing, helping to demystify doula care for audiences who may be hearing about it for the first time.

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Beyond childbirth

Perhaps the clearest expression of her philosophy is the Welcome Home Retreat, an intimate wellness experience organised through A3 Botanical World.

Designed for just 11 participants per cohort, the retreat combines meditation, herbal wellness, meaningful conversations and reflection, encouraging participants to reconnect with themselves.

For Ms Abimbola, the message is simple: caring for women should not end when a baby is born.

It should continue long after childbirth, recognising that a mother’s emotional, mental and spiritual wellbeing is just as important as her physical health.