Studies show that a continuous, supportive presence, even if the person is on the other side of a curtain and not speaking, have a positive effect on a woman’s labor, making it shorter, less painful, and able to proceed naturally without intervention.  If you are pregnant with a supportive partner, the birth of your child can be a time of togetherness that enhances your partnership and sexual connection.  The continuous support of the baby’s other parent reinforces the truth, which is that no matter what, you are in it together as parents.  A friend, a godparent or grandparent of the baby, or a professional labor support doula can all act as the supportive continuous presence for a mom who has no partner or whose partner cannot be present.  The best professional labor support person will be able to facilitate and support helpful participation by the mom’s significant others, no matter who they are.  

When women are giving birth in the hospital, they experience a new set of caregivers, students, residents, hospitalists, etc during their birth when the shifts change every 12 hours.  This is why it is so important that a mom bring support with her, rather than hoping to find it from hospital staff.  When a mom gives birth in a freestanding birth center or at home, she generally has a small number of skilled caregivers whom she has met before her birth and who will stay with her until her baby is born.  The research which shows that a CONTINUOUS supportive presence is helpful in labor suggests to me that for most women the continuity of care provided to healthy women by out of hospital midwives would generally lead to healthier labors.