what's a doula

It seems that throughout history the role of the male in childbirth has continued to change. According to the books i've read (as i have no interest in anthropology) women were always surrounded by other women when giving birth. These women were usually experienced having been through their own births and/or witnessed others.

Even in recent times, women were heavily drugged for childbirth and men were not allowed in the room - asked to wait and pace nervously with a cigarette dangling from their fingers. Only to jump up and down and hand out cigars once a nurse told them the good news.

Most hospitals have updated their view of paternal participation in the childbirth significantly as well as their use of pain medication. But -- again, according to the stuff i've read -- what's been lost is the female / experienced person's role in the delivery.

The Doula Association exists to bring back some of that support...Or at least that's what they hope us to believe. They aren't there to get between the partner and the woman giving birth, but to help the partner help the future mother. They strongly believe in "natural" births and prefer not to use any medication if avoidable.....Various statistics point to decreased complications, c-sections rates, etc. that their role appears beneficial to all.

I've heard many a story of men fainting, forgetting all the breathing techniques, etc. that having someone to support me in my attempt to support L seems like a good idea. And given that i have a tenuous hold, at best, on the proper breathing techniques, I'm going to need all the help i can get.