"Doula is a Greek word referring to an experienced woman who helps other women. The word has now come to mean a woman experienced in childbirth who provides continuous physical, emotional, and informational support to the mother before, during, and just after childbirth." That's how the authors of Mothering the Mother: How a Doula Can Help You Have a Shorter, Easier, and Healthier Birth (1993 Addison-Wesley) define a doula. Sound wonderful? After reading the book, you'll probably think so.

Mothering the Mother, written by childbirth authorities Marshall H. Klaus, M.D., John H. Kennell, M.D., (co-authors of Parent-Infant Bonding) and Phyllis H. Klaus, M.Ed, C.S.W., is fascinating reading. The book explains the role of the doula, how she can support the mother and father during birth, and cites studies that document how birth with a doula improves outcomes in areas such as length of labor, rates of vaginal deliveries, the use of medications and other interventions. According to the authors, doulas:

• shorten first-time labors by an average of two hours
• decrease the chance of Cesarean section deliveries by 50 percent
• decrease the need for pain medications
• help fathers participate in the birth with confidence
• increase success in breast-feeding

Mothering the Mother follows the actual course of birth in various settings and includes photos of birthing women being assisted by fathers and doulas. The book shows readers how to achieve the benefits of having a doula, and how to find and evaluate a doula.

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