Think of the anxieties and unanswered questions you have when facing something big like buying a house or planning a wedding. No one bats an eye if you solicit the services of a real estate agent or wedding planner. So when it comes to the birth of a child, why does the option of using a doula usually forgotten?

The biggest reason is likely the lack of information about the role doulas play in childbirth. In this month's Little Rock Family (click here for the digital edition), Kelcie Huffstickler fills us in on who they are and what these professionals do.

“Doula” comes from the ancient Greek meaning “a woman who serves” and now refers to a trained professional who provides continuous physical, emotional and informational support to the mother before, during and just after birth.

Nicolle Fletcher, the owner and director of Birth by Design Doula Services, says all mothers can benefit from a doula’s services, no matter how they plan to give birth. Although doulas serve women seeking un-medicated deliveries, they also help women who plan to get epidurals or have C-sections.

This weekend at the Village at Hendrix in Conway, Birth by Design will host a Birth Fair. Fletcher says the goal of the fair is to gather a variety of pregnancy, birth and childrearing resources for families who are planning a pregnancy, those currently pregnant and for young families.

Vendors will include those with chiropractic services, homebirth and midwifery services, doula services, medical services, handcrafted baby items and much more. The fair will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday (May 18) and is free and open to the public.