Considering who you want to support you through labor can be a challenging decision.  The birthing room cast can include relatives, friends, doctors, nurses and midwives.

There is one more person you should consider bringing with you - a doula.  These professional labor assistants use their experience supporting women through labor and birth to aid in your efforts to have the healthiest and safest birth possible.  Here are five ways doulas can help you:

Better Births - Hiring a doula is a simple way to reduce your risk of experiencing complications.  Researchers have found doula-attended births are often shorter with fewer cesarean sections and labor inductions needed.