There's something very important about someone holding the space just for you. Years ago Kennell and Klaus were tracking the effects of doulas being present at birth and they found that the group of women being tracked who simply had a woman continuously present in their labor and birth rooms had improved birth outcomes! Holding the space just means to be present: body, mind and soul. Rather than running through what needs to be picked up at the grocery on the way home...stop...breathe deeply and become utterly and completely present. Nothing need necessarily be *done*...just be. Here in the 21st century, in our culture this is hard to come by yet this is exactly what women need when they are preparing, journeying through and doing the hardwork of labor, birth and motherhood.