Continuous emotional support during labor in a US hospital. A randomized controlled trial
J. Kennell, M. Klaus, S. McGrath, S. Robertson and C. Hinkley
Department of Pediatrics, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH.
The continuous presence of a supportive companion (doula) during labor and
delivery in two studies in Guatemala shortened labor and reduced the need
for cesarean section and other interventions. In a US hospital with modern
obstetric practices, 412 healthy nulliparous women in labor were randomly
assigned to a supported group (n = 212) that received the continuous
support of a doula or an observed group (n = 200) that was monitored by an
inconspicuous observer. Two hundred four women were assigned to a control
group after delivery. Continuous labor support significantly reduced the
rate of cesarean section deliveries (supported group, 8%; observed group,
13%; and control group, 18%) and forceps deliveries. Epidural anesthesia
for spontaneous vaginal deliveries varied across the three groups
(supported group, 7.8%; observed group, 22.6%; and control group, 55.3%).
Oxytocin use, duration of labor, prolonged infant hospitalization, and
maternal fever followed a similar pattern. The beneficial effects of labor
support underscore the need for a review of current obstetric practices.
Effects of Fathers' Attendance to Labor and Delivery on the Experience of Childbirth in Turkey
Gungor and Beji
West J Nurs Res 2007;29:213-231.
ABSTRACT
Benefits of a Doula Present at the Birth of a Child
Stein et al.
Pediatrics 2004;114:1488-1491.
FULL TEXT
Delirium Doulas: An Innovative Approach to Enhance Care for Critically Ill Older Adults
Balas et al.
Crit Care Nurse 2004;24:36-46.
FULL TEXT
A Native American Community with a 7% Cesarean Delivery Rate: Does Case Mix, Ethnicity, or Labor Management Explain the Low Rate?
Leeman and Leeman
Ann Fam Med 2003;1:36-43.
ABSTRACT
| FULL TEXT
Mind-Body Medicine: State of the Science, Implications for Practice
Astin et al.
J Am Board Fam Med 2003;16:131-147.
ABSTRACT
| FULL TEXT
'Mighty Glad to Gasp in the Gas': Perceptions of Pain and the Traditional Timing of Obstetric Anesthesia
Wolf
Health (London) 2002;6:365-387.
ABSTRACT
Vaginal Birth After Cesarean: An Appraisal of Fetal Risk
SOCOL and PEACEMAN
Obstet Gynecol 1999;93:674-679.
ABSTRACT
| FULL TEXT
Effects of Providing Hospital-Based Doulas in Health Maintenance Organization Hospitals
GORDON et al.
Obstet Gynecol 1999;93:422-426.
ABSTRACT
| FULL TEXT
Do Labor Medications Affect Breastfeeding?
Walker
J Hum Lact 1997;13:131-137.
ABSTRACT
Social Status, Mother-infant Time Together, and Breastfeeding Duration
Kiehl et al.
J Hum Lact 1996;12:201-206.
ABSTRACT
The Importance of Social Interaction: A New Perspective on Social Epidemiology, Social Risk Factors, and Health
Bloomberg et al.
Health Educ Behav 1994;21:447-463.
ABSTRACT
Amniotomy in Labor
Teoh et al.
NEJM 1993;329:886-887.
FULL TEXT
REDUCING CESAREAN SECTION RATES: TWO APPROACHES
JWatch General 1991;1991:5-5.
FULL TEXT
