Doula Support During Labor Reduces Cesarean Rates And Epidurals
ScienceDaily (May 29, 2008) — During labor, the continued presence of a doula – an experienced non-medical female companion who provides continuous labor support – has significant beneficial effects for middle- and upper-class women in childbirth, even when they have their male partner or other family member with them, according to a new study in the journal Birth.

http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/j.1523-536X.2008.00221.x