Dear Lactnet Friends:

N Engl J Med. <http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7402234#> 1980 Sep
11;303(11):597-600.
The effect of a supportive companion on perinatal problems, length of
labor, and mother-infant interaction.
Sosa R
<http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=Sosa%20R%5BAuthor%5D&cauthor=true&cauthor_uid=7402234>
, Kennell J
<http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=Kennell%20J%5BAuthor%5D&cauthor=true&cauthor_uid=7402234>
, Klaus M
<http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=Klaus%20M%5BAuthor%5D&cauthor=true&cauthor_uid=7402234>
, Robertson S
<http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=Robertson%20S%5BAuthor%5D&cauthor=true&cauthor_uid=7402234>
, Urrutia J
<http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=Urrutia%20J%5BAuthor%5D&cauthor=true&cauthor_uid=7402234>
.
"Abstract

We studied the effects of a supportive lay woman ("doula") on the length of
labor and on mother-infant interaction after delivery in healthy Guatemalan
primigravid women. Initial assignment of mothers to the experimental
(doula) or control group was random, but controls showed a higher rate (P
less than 0.001) of subsequent perinatal problems (e.g. cesarean section
and meconium staining). It was necessary to admit 103 mothers to the
control group and 33 to the experimental group to obtain 20 in each group
with uncomplicated deliveries. In the final sample, the length of time from
admission to delivery was shorter in the experimental group (8.8 vs. 19.3
hours, P less than 0.001). Mothers who had a doula present during labor
were awake more after delivery (P less than 0.02) and stroked (P less than
0.001), smiled at (P less than 0.009), and talked to (P less than 0.002)
their babies more than the control mothers. These observations suggest that
there may be major perinatal benefits of constant human support during
labor."

​I suggest exploring all the doula literature, as that builds on the
wonderful loving strategy of constant human support during labor that
reduces the use of medication, reduces the chances of cesarean section, and
promotes breastfeeding.

warmly,

​
Nikki Lee RN, BSN, Mother of 2, MS, IBCLC, CCE, CIMI, ANLC, CKC
Author:* Complementary and Alternative Medicine in Breastfeeding Therapy*
www.nikkileehealth.com
https://www.facebook.com/nikkileehealth

*Get my FREE webinar series*

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