By Theresa Tan

WHEN Mrs Constance Han, 32, was in labour with her first child in July, besides her husband, she had a doula by her side cheering her on.

Her doula, or birth coach as she describes her, instructed her on how to breathe, rubbed her aching back and advised her husband on how to make himself useful in the delivery room.

Mrs Han, a stay-at-home mum, said: 'My doula gave me lots of emotional and informational support.' For example, she would call her doula to get advice or share her concern about her pregnancy.

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