A labor support person, also called a birth doula, provides:
- a continuous presence
- emotional support
- physical comforting
- assistance with non-pharmacological coping measures
- non-medical information
- anticipatory guidance for both the mother and partner
Women who had continuous labour support from a non-hospital staff doula:
- had 26% fewer cesarean section births;
- had 41% fewer instrumental vaginal deliveries;
- were 28% less likely to use any analgesia or anesthesia;
- were 33% less likely to be dissatisfied or to rate their birth experience negatively, and
- had increased likelihood of being satisfied with their birth experience as measured by:
-- overall satisfaction and feeling that one coped well
-- finding labour to be as expected or better than one expected
-- feeling of personal control
Having a labor support person may help the labouring woman to delay, reduce or avoid the use of pain relieving medication, thereby reducing the likelihood of experiencing the adverse effects that can be associated with these methods.
For postpartum benefits...
