The doula's role is to provide physical and emotional support to women and their partners during labor and birth. A doula offers information, assistance and advice on topics such as breathing, relaxation, movement and positioning. Perhaps the most crucial role of the doula is to provide continuous emotional reassurance and comfort. Doulas do not perform clinical tasks, such as vaginal exams or fetal heart rate monitoring. Doulas do not diagnose medical conditions or give medical advice.

Doulas and midwives often work together as their philosophy and practice is complementary. At times, midwives need help because of the complex course of labor or the competing needs of more than one woman, which makes the doula-midwife team a wonderful option.

The doula's role is to provide physical and emotional support to women and their partners during labor and birth. A doula offers information, assistance and advice on topics such as breathing, relaxation,movement and positioning. Perhaps the most crucial role of the doula is to provide continuous emotional reassurance and comfort. Doulas do not perform clinical tasks, such as vaginal exams or fetal heart rate monitoring. Doulas do not diagnose medical conditions or give medical advice. Doulas and midwives often work together as their philosophy and practice is complementary. At times, midwives need help because of the complex course of labor or thecompeting needs of more than one woman, which makes the doula-midwife team a wonderful option.