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Labor support is when there is someone with you during childbirth whose role is to help you stay comfortable, move through your birthing process, remind you that what’s happening is normal and healthy and give you information about your care. This “labor support specialist” or “doula” may also help you move around during labor. She will usually support your spouse or partner and others in the room as well.

Who can give me support during labor and birth?

Research says that having support from a doula or other labor support specialist who is present solely to provide continuous support has the most benefits. Others who may be important sources of support are your partner, your clinical caregivers and friends or family members.

You may want to have one or more of the following people on hand to aid you throughout labor and birth:

Trained labor support specialist or doula: The most common name for such a person is doula (pronounced DOO-lah), a Greek word meaning “woman who serves.” Other common names include labor companion, labor support professional, labor support specialist, labor assistant and birth assistant. This type of labor support specialist offers the greatest benefits for your health and safety during labor and birth.
Your spouse or partner: While many partners are worried about accompanying a woman during labor, most find that providing help and comfort in labor is very rewarding and that being present at the birth of their child is one of life’s highlights.
Clinical caregiver: In most cases, this would be a nurse, midwife or doctor.
Relative or friend: You can choose someone in your social network with whom you (and your partner, if you have one) feel comfortable sharing this important and intimate time. She or he should be a warm, relaxed and calm person who views labor and birth as healthy, normal events in a woman’s life.

What is it like to work with a doula?

A doula stays with you throughout labor. A doula usually meets with you before labor to learn your personal preferences, priorities or concerns, and stays with you until an hour or so after the birth of your baby to help get breastfeeding started.

Most doulas are also available before labor and in the days after the birth of your baby to provide information, reassurance, nonmedical advice and, when appropriate, referrals. The Working with a Labor Support Specialist/Doula section of this website provides more details and information, but here are some benefits of working with a doula:

According to your wishes, she may be close to you, often with physical contact, nearly all of the time.
She offers comfort measures such as cool cloths, massage and handholding.
She gives emotional support, including reassurance, encouragement and honest praise.
She can suggest ways to improve labor progress or ease discomfort.
She can explain what is happening or interpret what hospital personnel have said.
She can help you communicate your needs to hospital staff and support decisions that you and your partner have made.
She supports your spouse/partner as well, acting as a resource and guide and making sure his or her needs are met.
Contrary to some people’s concerns that a doula might disturb the privacy and intimacy of birth, a doula can actually help to protect privacy and create an intimate atmosphere in a busy, institutional setting.