Julie Trotter endured 6 hours of hard labor before the birth of her first child. She had support in the delivery room from not only her husband, but also from a birthing coach called a doula, a greek word meaning woman's servant.

Kai Martin Short is one of more than 2500 certified doulas in the US. They are trained to comfort women during labor using massage and breathing techniques to cope with the pain.

"It takes a special person to be a doula because you have to be able to make people feel comfortable pretty easily and I think moms and dads can sense when you really care and you're nurturing and calming," certified doula Kai Martin Short said.

Doulas are not trained to give medical advice. Some doctors say that can create tension. "Occasionally we need to intervene and occasionally there is a little friction over what we might recommend," Dr. Sean Lambert and OB/GYN said.

"It can be tricky, I've never had a problem with any doctors or or midwives or nurses even, because I think it's about your approach," Short said.

An approach that gives new parents confidence during one of the most special moments of their lives. Julie Trotter said she wouldn't have gotten through it without the doula.

Doulas charge a flat fee ranging from $450-$1,000 for pre-natal, delivery and post partum assistance. For more information go to www.dona.org