Evidence-based
research shows that having continuous companionship of another woman (a
doula) during labor offers the following benefits:
- Reduction in cesarean rates (up to 50%)
- Fewer requests for epidurals (up to 60%)
- Shorter Labor (25% - 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 hours)
- Reduction in oxytocin/pitocin use
- Neonatal hospitalization and rate of complications reduced
- Fewer forceps/vacuum deliveries
- Increased rate of breastfeeding
- Reduction in postpartum depression
References
1.) Kennell, J.H.; Klaus, M.H.; McGrath, S.K.; Robertson, S.S.; Hinkley, C.W.
"Continuous Emotional Support during Labor in a U.S. Hospital." Journal of
the American Medical Association 265(1991):2197-2201
2.) Sosa, R.; Kennell, J.H.; Robertson, S.; Urrutia, J. "The Effect of a
Supportive Companion on Perinatal Problems, Length of Labor and
Mother-Infant Interaction." New England Journal of Medicine
303(1980):597-600
Adding a doula to your birth team provides greater
satisfaction, and can often reduce health care costs.
Does this mean that you will not have interventions during your birth?
No, every birth is different and some births do need interventions. A
doula will not "Stop" you from having them, but they may help depending on
the circumstance. |
|
Aspects of Supportive Care |
Support Person |
|
Doula |
Partner |
Hospital Nurse |
Hospital Midwife |
Hospital MD |
Out-of-
Hospital
Caregiver |
Chosen
Relative/ Friend |
|
Is free to be continuously present |
+ |
+ |
- |
? |
- |
+ |
+ |
|
Gives priority to warm, nurturing, encouraging behavior
|
+ |
? |
? |
? |
? |
+ |
+ |
|
You already know and feel comfortable with this person |
+ |
+ |
- |
? |
? |
+ |
+ |
|
Knows your preferences, concerns, priorities |
+ |
+ |
- |
? |
? |
+ |
+ |
|
Facilitates communication with caregiver |
+ |
? |
+ |
n.a |
n.a. |
n.a. |
? |
|
Enhances partner's participation; looks after partner's needs
|
+ |
n.a. |
- |
- |
- |
? |
? |
|
Understands and works to
enhance emotional aspects of labor |
+ |
? |
? |
+ |
? |
+ |
? |
|
Knows and uses comfort measures and strategies to promote
progress |
+ |
? |
? |
+ |
? |
+ |
? |
|
Has much experience with laboring women |
+ |
- |
+ |
+ |
+ |
+ |
- |
|
Is able to remain calm, objective |
+ |
- |
+ |
+ |
+ |
+ |
- |
|
Is responsible only to you |
+ |
+ |
- |
- |
- |
- |
+ |
|
Involves no added cost for support services |
? |
+ |
+ |
+ |
+ |
+ |
+ |
|
Key: |
+ |
generally provides this component |
|
- |
generally cannot or does not provide this component |
|
? |
varies, and may be impossible to know in advance |
|
n.a. |
not applicable |
This table is from
www.ChildbirthConnection.org
Table adapted with permission from the ICEA Position Statement: The
Role and Scope of the Doula, (1999) published by International
Childbirth Education Association (ICEA), PO Box 20048, Minneapolis,
Minnesota 55420 USA 952/854-8660. Original table by Penny Simkin, PT, CD
(DONA).
|
