No matter how many children you have, when you are pregnant the advice never seems to stop pouring in. Friends, family member and even random strangers at the grocery store get excited about giving you that one piece of information that will help you on your long, uncomfortable journey into motherhood. We smile, nod and politely take the advice but with so much input how do you know what advice is good and what needs to be tossed aside? And even though we have person after person offering up tips and support for us, the dad to be and siblings, who's really going to stick it out to the end and continue that much needed support? This is where the doula steps in.

 Many people have heard the term doula or are vaguely familiar with what they are. A doula is an experienced non-medical female companion who provides continuous labor support. They are there during pregnancy, labor, delivery and after care. They provide close physical interaction, touching and eye contact during labor and work to teach, reassure and encourage both mother and father and have been proven to help reduce the risk of C-Section and need for medicinal pain management. Doulas provide a wealth of information for both mother and father and support for the whole family including soon to be brothers and sisters.

During labor and delivery, the doula will work with you and your husband to make sure that your birthing plan is played out as much as possible. This means that if you and your husband have decided on specific responsibilities the doula will make sure that the hospital staff is reminded of what is desired, encourage your husband and help you get through your labor and delivery as easily as possible. New or first time fathers in the delivery have a lot going on through their head in addition to having to see their wife in pain. This can be a lot of stress to handle all at once and this is also where the doula can help out dad in the delivery room. She is not there to take his place, but like her job with mom to be, she can help him to focus as well or even give him a break to step out for some fresh air while mom is in early labor.

Before baby is expected to arrive at any given moment, your family and your doula should sit down and go over a birthing plan. What do you and your husband want to happen during delivery? What kind of relaxation techniques to you plan or want to try to use? What are some good focus points that work well for you to help you relax? Most of all, what kind of birthing experience to you picture yourself having and what does it entail your birthing team doing to make that happen for you? Your husband, no doubt, will want to be a very large part in the labor and birthing process so make sure that he knows what you are needing from him and ask him what he would like the doula to do in the delivery room to make sure that he is at his best for you.

For more information on doulas concerning in even more depth what their role in your pregnancy, delivery and aftercare can do to help you check out www.dona.org and www.doulanetwork.com. Both of these sites have a wealth of information on doulas including average cost. You can also speak with your doctor or midwife to find out what your local resources are in finding and paying for a doula to make the most of your birthing experience.