What Does a Birth Doula Do?

"So, everyone in the delivery room has their place.  The doctors, the nurses, my wife...so if you're there, where does that put me?  Will I just get to sit on the side?" 
That was a question from my first client's husband.  It's a common one.  What exactly will a doula do?  Will she replace the partner? 
The answer...absolutely not.  My favorite quote regarding this topic is from Susan Cassel .  She lead my toLabor doula training.  She said, "If a doula is doing her job, it's like she's not even there.  She goes unnoticed."  That is not to say that a doula just sits and does nothing, but she guides the players so that they are doing all the movements themselves.  The partner, if there is one, is doing what he or she needs to be doing.  The laboring woman feels comfortable in being herself.  The doula is simply there to encourage, inform and assist the laboring woman in her journey to bring forth life. 
There are many different types of doulas out there, just as there are many different personalities and belief systems.  Some doulas only do homebirths amongst midwives.  Other doulas work solely in hospitals.  Some believe circumcision is heinous and will advocate against it.  Others think it's a family choice.  There are doulas who walk into a hospital and starts to bark orders about birth plans and such.  There are doulas who walk into a hospital and just wait, watch and listen until the time comes for her to pipe up. 
The combinations are endless.  It is important, if chosing a doula, to find the right one for you.  You might want to try reading The Birth Partner, by Penny Simkin.  This book is not only for doulas, but for anyone who may be accompanying a woman into labor.