Without a doubt, nurses are usually wonderfully supportive. However it is unusual for you to be her only patient She won't be able to be with you continually, and when she does come in the room to see you, it is more often than not to assess you and the baby and to record things in your chart. On average a nurse only spends 9.9% in actual supportive care during an average labor, and only a small percent of that is physical support. It is usually more verbal/instructional support.

On top of this, nurses do change shifts. Depending on the hospital you give birth in they may work a 12 hour or an 8 hour. And then there are the times where they may call in a nurse just for several hours until the load is a bit lighter. So chances of you having the same nurse throughout your labour is pretty slim. They have to go on breaks and when they do - another nurse you may have never met, may have to come in to do an assessment.

Your Doula however, stays with you throughout your labor. One continuous presence. Even your doctor may not be the same one that was on call when you started! Your doctor will only be called in occasionally and may not show up until the very last pushes to bring your baby into the world. Most doctors are very busy and manage most womens' labor by phone, sometimes managing several women at one time.