Topic Overview
Having a support person from early labor until after childbirth (such
as a
doula, nurse, midwife, or childbirth educator) has a
proven, positive effect on childbirth.
Women who have continuous one-on-one
support through labor may be more likely to:1
- Give birth without pain medicine
- Describe their birth experience positively.
- Give birth without certain interventions, such as cesarean or vacuum delivery.
- Have slightly shorter labors.
Although there is not a proven direct connection between continuous
support and less labor pain, having a support person does help you feel more
control and less fear, which are strong elements of mental pain control.
References
Citations
- Hodnett ED, et al. (2011). Continuous support for
women during childbirth. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (2).
Credits
| By | Healthwise Staff |
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| Primary Medical Reviewer | Sarah Marshall, MD - Family Medicine |
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| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Kirtly Jones, MD - Obstetrics and Gynecology |
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| Last Revised | November 2, 2011 |
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Last Revised:
November 2, 2011
Hodnett ED, et al. (2011). Continuous support for
women during childbirth. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (2).