"I do not care what kind of birth you have...a homebirth, a scheduled caesarean, epidural hospital birth, or if you birth alone in the woods next to baby deer.  I care that you had options, that you were supported in your choices, and that you were respected."
--January Harshe

What is a birth doula?  How can I decide if hiring one is right for me?  What does a doula's role look like during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum?

• Having a Doula:  Is a Doula For Me?
• 50 Things Doulas Do Best
• Do I Need a Doula?  11 Good Reasons to Use One (in short, doulas help women have better births on average - links to the evidence in this article)
• Why Doulas Are a Mom's Best Friend
• Doula?  What's a Doula?  (perspective of the sister of a new mother who had a doula at her birth)
• What is the difference between a midwife and a doula
• The difference between a midwife and a doula explained
• Evidence Based Birth's, 'The Evidence for Doulas' answers questions such as:
• What is a doula?
• How many women use doulas?
• What do doulas do?
• What doulas do not do
• How is a doula different from a labor and delivery nurse or partner/spouse?
• So what is the medical evidence for doulas?
• How do I find a doula?

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What should I know about how doulas work with and complement the role of dads/partners?

• 5 Reasons Dads Should Demand a Doula
• Does professional labor support diminish the father's role? Many couples find it's just the opposite (by Today's Parent magazine)
• Worried a Doula Replaces Dad During Labor?  No Way!

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What is the evidence for doulas? How can one benefit me as a woman giving birth, and my baby?  Is there any scientific evidence regarding having a doula's support?

• Evidence Based Birth's, 'The Evidence for Doulas'
  
• How can a doula reduce my odds for a cesarean?
• What are the statistics supporting doulas and continuous labor support?
• Here is a pdf copy of the study linked to on the above page regarding continuous labor support

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Can a doula still be helpful if I'm planning or require a cesarean, or if I want an epidural for pain relief?

• What role could a doula have at a cesarean/c-section birth?
• Q&A with Penny Simkin, the author of 'The Birth Partner' and co-founder of DONA (Doulas of North America): What can the doula...do to support a laboring woman who has an epidural?
• Doulas are for women who want epidurals

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How do doulas figure out their prices?  What is included in the cost of having a doula?

• About Doula Pricing (or, why doulas charge what they charge)
• What makes up a doula's fees?