A doula is a professional labor assistant who provides physical and emotional support to you and your partner during pregnancy, childbirth and the postpartum period.
For instance, a doula might offer:
Attention to physical comfort through techniques such as touch and massage and assistance with breathing
Emotional reassurance, comfort and encouragement
Information about what's happening during labor and the postpartum period, including explanations of procedures
Help with facilitating communication between you and the hospital staff
Guidance and support for loved ones
Assistance with breast-feeding
Often, however, a doula's most important role is to provide continuous support during labor and delivery. Some studies have shown that continuous support from doulas during childbirth might be associated with:
A decreased use of pain relief medication during labor
A decreased incidence of C-sections
A decrease in the length of labor
A decrease in negative childbirth experiences
A doula might add another opinion to the mix when decisions need to be made about labor and delivery. However, a doula doesn't provide medical advice, nor can they change the clinical recommendations of a midwife or an obstetrician.