A labour supporter (doula) offers you and your partner reassurance, practical assistance, and information during pregnancy, birth, and early parenthood so that you feel cared for, informed, and confident.

A doula is a skilled professional who offers you a type of support no one else can. She:

focuses completely on you and your needs, not on details of your medical care, or on other women down the hall, or on paperwork
accompanies you continuously during labour and birth, when you need her – no shift changes or other commitments to attend to
can support you at your home in the early stages of labour, as well as through your hospital stay, and after the birth
supports your partner as well as you, giving him someone to rely on, and freeing his energies to be there for you
knows plenty of tips for the journey through birth, including massage, positioning, use of heat and cold, and ways to soothe and restore the body
provides an objective sounding board when you need to talk things over, and can help facilitate when you need to make a decision
helps you cope with confusion and fear when dealing with any complications in pregnancy, and assists you in investigating your options

A doula's role is defined by you. Different couples will want their doula to help them in different ways. You call the shots.

A doula does not make decisions for you. She does not have an agenda she wants you to follow – this is your birth, not hers. A doula does not advocate on your behalf; instead she can help you find the information you want and serves as a facilitator, so you can communicate with your medical caregivers in the most effective way. She can help you develop strategies for putting your plans into action. But ultimately it is always you who is in charge of your birth!