Doulas face many unique rewards and challenges as they attempt to establish themselves as part of the maternity care team in a health care system that is highly specialized and in a culture in which the birth process is significantly medicalized. The authors conducted a survey of a random sample of doulas in the United States to gather a variety of information from doulas, including satisfaction with their work. The finding suggest that the vast majority of practicing doulas (96%) find their work personally and emotionally rewarding, but that only 34% find it financially satisfying. The rewards of being a doula include supporting new mothers, helping women have a positive birth experience, and being part of the birth process. Significant challenges, however, include lack of support from clinicians, balancing doula work with other demands and obligations (primarily related to family and other jobs), and being on call. ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR Copyright of International Journal of Childbirth Education is the property of International Childbirth Education Association and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder’s express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts); Doulas face many unique rewards and challenges as they attempt to establish themselves as part of the maternity care team in a health care system that is highly specialized and in a culture in which the birth process is significantly medicalized. The authors conducted a survey of a random sample of doulas in the United States to gather a variety of information from doulas, including satisfaction with their work. The finding suggest that the vast majority of practicing doulas (96%) find their work personally and emotionally rewarding, but that only 34% find it financially satisfying. The rewards of being a doula include supporting new mothers, helping women have a positive birth experience, and being part of the birth process. Significant challenges, however, include lack of support from clinicians, balancing doula work with other demands and obligations (primarily related to family and other jobs), and being on call. ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR Copyright of International Journal of Childbirth Education is the property of International Childbirth Education Association and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder’s express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts)