Childbirth is one of the most significant and transformative experiences in a person's life. While every labor is unique, the support a person receives during this time can have a profound impact on their experience and outcomes. There's a growing body of evidence that highlights the role of a doula— a trained professional who provides continuous physical, emotional, and informational support during labor—as a key factor in improving birth outcomes. This week, we'll be exploring the evidence-based benefits of having a doula during labor.
What Does a Doula Do?
First, what can you expect from a birth doula? A doula’s primary role is to provide continuous support to the birthing person. While the specific services are individualized to each client, there are four pillars of support. This support includes:
Emotional support: Doulas offer reassurance, encouragement, and a calming presence, helping to validate feelings, foster confidence, and reduce anxiety and stress during labor.
Physical support: Doulas use techniques such as massage, acupressure, positioning, and breathing and movement guidance to help manage pain and discomfort.
Informational support: Doulas provide information about labor processes and possible interventions, ensuring the birthing person feels informed and empowered in their decision-making.
Advocacy: Doulas help ensure that the birthing person's wishes are respected and communicated effectively to the healthcare team.
The Evidence: How Doulas Make a Difference
Research consistently shows that continuous support during labor—particularly when provided by a doula—leads to better outcomes for both the birthing person and the baby. Check out the data:
1. Reduction in Cesarean Births
A landmark study published in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews analyzed data from over 15,000 people across 26 studies and found that those who received continuous support from a doula were 39% less likely to have a cesarean birth compared to those who did not have such support. The presence of a doula helps create a more relaxed environment, which can contribute to a more natural progression of labor, reducing the need for surgical intervention.
2. Shorter Labor
The same Cochrane review found that the continuous support of a doula was associated with a 25% reduction in the length of labor. This is significant because shorter labor can reduce the risk of complications and exhaustion, reducing the need for intervention and leading to a more positive birth experience.
3. Decreased Use of Pain Medication
Many people in labor choose to use epidurals or other forms of pain relief, which can be beneficial but also come with risks and side effects. The presence of a doula has been shown to reduce the likelihood of using pain medications. According to the Cochrane review, those with doula support were 10% less likely to require pain relief interventions. This may be due to the non-pharmacological pain management techniques that doulas provide, such as massage, positioning, movement, and breathing exercises, as well as their emotional support role in building confidence.
4. Higher Satisfaction with the Birth Experience
Beyond the physical outcomes, the emotional and psychological impact of doula support is profound. Studies have shown that people who had a doula present during labor report higher satisfaction with their birth experience. A 2013 study published in the Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic & Neonatal Nursing found that birthing persons with doula support were significantly more likely to describe their birth experience positively, feeling more in control and supported.
5. Better Outcomes for Babies
The benefits of doula support extend to the newborn as well. Babies born to mothers with doula support are less likely to have low Apgar scores—a quick measure of a baby’s health at birth. Additionally, continuous support during labor is associated with a reduction in the need for neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admissions.
So Should You Consider Hiring a Doula?
I'm obviously biased given that I am one! But the evidence is clear: having a doula during labor can lead to better outcomes for both the birthing person and the baby. From reducing the likelihood of cesarean births to shortening labor and enhancing satisfaction with the birth experience, the presence of a doula can be a game-changer in the childbirth experience. Whether you're planning a hospital birth, home birth, or something in between, consider the invaluable support of a doula to help make your labor experience as positive and empowering as possible. Investing in a doula is not just about having someone by your side during labor—it's about enhancing the overall experience, one you will remember for the rest of your life, and ensuring that you have the best possible start to your journey into parenthood.
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