Informational Support

Advocacy Support

Emotional & Mental Support

Physical Support

Read more at Evidence for Doulas

Women who have continuous support during labor are likely to have spontaneous vaginal birth, less likely to have intrapartum analgesia, experience higher satisfaction with their birth, have shorter labors, are less likely to have a caesarean or instrumental vaginal birth, regional analgesia, or a baby with a low five-minute Apgar score. Read more at Cochrane Review

A birth professional who provides informational, emotional, mental and physical support to mothers leading up to and during childbirth. They provide support for all types of birth. They do not provide medical advice, but are extremely knowledgeable about childbirth.