Doulas are non-medical, professional support for laboring women. Doulas educate women regarding their options during childbirth and then act as advocates when presenting these choices to other members of the woman's medical team. Doulas remain with a woman throughout her entire labor, delivery and immediate postpartum periods.

Doulas are experienced in all areas of childbirth. They are trained to perform a variety of non-invasive measures to assist the laboring woman. Massage, therapeutic touch, herbal preparations, homeopathy and acupressure are used for pain relief. Visualization, assisted walking and movement, hydrotherapy and guided positioning shorten and facilitate labor and delivery.

Some doulas help women and their partners prepare a written birth plan. This plan establishes, in advance, a guide for all of the medical professionals involved in the birth. A birth plan is developed in the third trimester of the pregnancy during two or more meetings with the doula. Options such as food during labor, positions for and location of the birth, newborn care and discharge planning for a hospital or birthing center birth are researched and discussed. Decisions are made by the woman and her partner with the guidance of their doula. The plan is finalized and then a written copy is presented to the physician or midwife. During this presentation the doula acts as an advocate for the couple. Once the plan is approved and signed by the physician or midwife, a copy is delivered to the birth location so that all of the staff have an opportunity read the plan before the birth.