Doctors and doulas in the labor and delivery suite.

Sir, Maternal stress during labor and delivery is a complex psychological response, which can be influenced by many factors, including the parturient’s expectations, her level of education (while many pregnant women present with a significant amount of prior knowledge regarding childbirth, others may have little or no understanding of the labor and delivery), intensity and severity of uterine contractions (labor pain), the labor suite environment and presence (or absence) of a lay support person (1). The presence of a lay support person in labor does not guarantee the relief of labor-induced psychological stress; however, continuous emotional and physical support, companionship and encouragement during labor can be one of the most effective means of providing safe passage for the pregnant woman and her baby from the antepartum to postpartum period (the transition to motherhood). Throughout the history of humankind, women have labored and given birth in the presence of other women, whereas