A doula is one who accompanies a woman in labor, mothering the mother, and takes care of her emotional needs throughout childbirth.

She is prepared to provide physical (non-medical), emotional and informational support to women and their partners during labor and birth.

She can provide reassurance and perspective to you and your partner, make suggestions for labor progress, and help with relaxation, massage, positioning and other techniques for comfort.

They are trained to deliver emotional support from home to hospital, ease the transition into the hospital environment and be there through changing hospital shifts and alternating provider schedules. The doula serves as an advocate, labor coach, and information source to give the mother and her partner the added comfort of additional support throughout the entire labor.