The idea of having a Doula present at a birth does not mean that a womans partner is no longer needed or made superferlous at the birth. On the contrary, the idea of having a Doula is to help assist a woman’s partner to feel at ease with the labour and birth journey and to assist in any way that is possible. A birth then becomes a ‘team’ effort, so to speak, and partner’s can feel they are contributing without the pressure being totally focused upon them, to provide physical, mental and emotional support which can be very overwhelming at times during a labour/birth.

Partners want to experience the birth of their child in a positive way, where they feel they contributed in a confident positive way. Partners often comment to a Doula after a birth that "they are incredibly grateful for the intuition, skill, sensitivity and support that she brought to every aspect of the birth”. And how it took the pressure off them to allow for understanding, reflection and to be totally present at the birth and enjoy the experience.

Partners generally want to experience the birth of their child, with the exception of a few, in which case having a Doula is a wonderful alternative to not having anyone around to support at all. Women who do not have partners around at the time of the birth benefit greatly from having the support and care of a Doula to assist her at the time of birth so her experience is a positive supportive one where she does not feel alone.