Exploring the type and depth of labor support that you will need to feel most confident and empowered for your experience is a crucial part of preparing for your birth. Remember to set the boundaries in pregnancy as to who will and will not be present during your labor so that you are not left dealing with anyone's emotions during the birth process.

If choosing to have family or friends offer support, providing each support person with a specific job can help them feel useful during the process as well as keep them focused and providing support that is most important to you. For example, a friend could focus on keeping you hydrated and well fed (check out the following links for articles on the safety of eating and drinking in labor: Most Healthy Women Would Benefit from a Light Meal in Labor, Original Research An Investigation into the Safety of Oral Intake During Labor, Evidence on: Eating and Drinking During Labor) while a partner could focus on hands-on counter pressure and massage.

Doulas are a wonderful option for informational, physical, and emotional support during labor and birth. The support they offer is not clinical and does not take the place of a primary provider (midwife or doctor). However, they help to offer position changes, massage, counterpressure, suggestions for emotional well-being, verbal encouragement, and resources for informed decision making. If a partner is present and willing to provide primary support, the doula will not take the place of the partner but can instead enhance the role of the partner by helping them to feel less overwhelmed and more resourceful. A list of questions for interviewing doulas can be found here.