The word doula is a Greek word meaning women’s servant. Women have been serving other women in childbirth for many centuries and have proven that support from another woman has a positive impact on the labor process. 

My husband (partner) is my left hand and my doula is my right. - from Doulas Making a Difference

Benefits of Doula Care Include:

25% Shorter Labors

50% Fewer Cesarean Births

40% Fewer Epidurals

30-40% Decrease in the Need for Forceps, Vacuum Extraction, Pitocin and Narcotics

Reference: Klaus et al, "Mothering the Mother"

Addison-Wesley 1993

ISBN: 0-201-56797-0