 Depending on the legal scope of practice, this may also include performing cesarean sections.A birth assistant, also known as a doula, "birth worker", "labor support person", "labour coach", or "childbirth educator", is someone other than the above who provides emotional support and general care and advice to women and families during pregnancy and childbirth.A doula usually offers support services to the family in the weeks following the birth ("postpartum doula", see Postpartum confinement) and may also assist during labor and childbirth ("birth doula").