Throughout the centuries, women have helped each other through pregnancy and birth as sisters, mothers, aunties, neighbors and grandmothers in the community. A woman could rely on continous emotional and physical support during labor. For many women and their families now, those connections may not be available. Nonetheless, continuity of care is still important.

A doula, or professional labor support person, fills an important role for a family. She is a woman with specific training and experience in providing emotional and physical support for a woman in labor. A doula remains present throughout labor. This is an important benefit. While hospital staff may be busy or have shift changes over the course of a labor, a doula is a calm presence, offering fluids, comforting touch, guidance, helpful information and encouragement. She will make suggestions, but she does not make decisions. It is always the laboring mother who does.

The doula's role is to support the birthing couple, so they can be with each other as they experience the birth of their child. She can stay with the woman while her partner takes a break, remind her partner what's normal and what is progress. The doula and the family work together as a team for a positive birth day experience to honor.

Many doulas also offer some postpartum follow-up, either at the hospital or at home. It is a time to review one's birth experience, get help with breastfeeding, answers to questions, information about resources, or enjoy the company of a person familiar with postpartum adjustment.

Studies show, over and over, that women with continuous labor support have less interventions and describe their birth experience in more positive terms. If you are considering labor support, we suggest you talk with a few different doulas. Ask about their availability, experience, what kind of back-up they have, if they come to your house or meet you at the hospital, what their fee is. Then you can decide whether to meet for a prenatal interview.

Feel free to contact us. We will be happy to talk with you.