Research has found that overall, people who have continuous support during childbirth experience:
๐๐ป 25% decrease in the risk of Cesarean; the largest effect was seen with a doula (39% decrease)*
๐๐ป 31% less likely to use synthetic oxytocin to speed up labor
๐๐ป 10% decrease in the use of any medications for pain relief; the type of person providing continuous support did not make a difference
๐๐ป 31% decrease in the risk of being dissatisfied with the birth experience; mothersโ risk of being dissatisfied with the birth experience was reduced with continuous support provided by a doula or someone in their social network (family or friend), but not hospital staffโ
๐๐ป Shorter labors by 41 minutes on average; there is no data on if the type of person providing continuous support makes a difference
๐๐ป 38% decrease in the babyโs risk of a low five minute APGAR score; there is no data on if the type of person providing continuous support makes a difference
๐๐ป8% increase in the likelihood of a spontaneous vaginal birth; the largest effect was seen with a doula (15% increase)*
**โFor two of these outcomes (designated with asterisks), the best results occurred when a birthing person had continuous labor support from a doulaโsomeone who was NOT a staff member at the hospital and who was NOT part of their social network.โ***
Read more Evidence Based Birth @EBB https://evidencebasedbirth.com/the-evidence-for-doulas/ for more on the benefits and roles of a doula.