In a special edition, we focus on childbirth and how much control women really do have over the process. In France, doulas have become increasingly popular in recent years. They provide emotional and practical support during pregnancy and birth, but not medical assistance. So where do doulas fit into the childbirth experience; and how can we better empower women giving birth? Annette Young puts these questions to Professor Soo Downe, a midwifery specialist from the University of Lancashire, and to Charlotte Brielle, founder and executive director of Wombs of the World, an NGO promoting the use of doulas.