A doula is a support person that understands the physiology and the emotional needs of a woman in labor, assists her and her partner in developing their birth preferences, stays with the woman during labor, works with the couple to enhance the partner’s comfort and involvement in labor, provides emotional support, physical support measure suggestions for labor progress, provides objective informational support and options for the woman so she can make informed decisions in the event of unforseen developments, facilitates communication with care providers as needed, and recognizes birth is a natural and key life experience that the mother will remember all her life.