Benefits of a doula on the birth
A systematic review of evidence by the Cochrane library, which reviewed fourteen trials, involving more than 5000 women provides the most supportive argument for the use of doula care in labour (Hodnett, 2003). This review found that:
The continuous presence of a support person reduced the likelihood of medication for pain relief, operative vaginal delivery, caesarean delivery, and a 5-minute Apgar score less than 7. Continuous support was also associated with a slight reduction in the length of labour. Six trials evaluated the effects of support on mothers' views of their childbirth experiences; while the trials used different measures….in each trial the results favoured the group who had received continuous support.
Earlier research show similar findings. Following their review of this evidence Klaus, Kennell and Klaus (1993) itemised the positive effects of doula care as:
- 50% reduction on cesarean rates,
- 25% shorter labor,
- 60% reduction in epidural requests,
- 40% reduction in syntocinon use,
- 30% reduction in analgesia use,
- 40% reduction in forceps delivery.