Pregnant women accompanied by a doula are less likely to give birth prematurely and by cesarean section.
- Cesarean deliveries are 47% less common among pregnant women supported by a doula.
- Additionally, they also have a 29% lower risk of premature birth.
- These mothers are 46% more likely to attend postnatal consultations than patients who have not used a doula.
For several years, the word “doula”, derived from ancient Greek, has been used in the field of perinatal care in the United States. This term is used more and more in France. What does it mean? A doula is a person who accompanies and provides physical and emotional support to the future mother and those around her during pregnancy, childbirth and the postnatal period. The latter are not health professionals, do not give medical advice and do not actively participate in childbirth, unlike a midwife. On the other hand, they guide pregnant women. Specifically, they establish a birth plan, tell them what items and products to put in the maternity bag, explain options and answer questions about what to expect, and communicate the patient’s decisions to the doctor.
Compare data from pregnancies followed or not by a doula
Previous research has shown that the continued presence and support of a doula during labor improves the delivery process. To confirm this, American scientists wanted to evaluate the association between doula support and patients’ health outcomes. As part of a study, published in the journal American Journal of Public Healththey analyzed information from 722 pregnancies of women aged 15 to 49 who were accompanied by a doula. At the same time, the authors also examined the data of 722 patients who did not have this support. Then, they also took into account factors such as age, race, socioeconomic status and geographic location.
Childbirth: Better health outcomes among mothers supported by a doula
According to the results, women who were followed by a doula had a 47% lower risk of cesarean delivery and a 29% lower risk of premature birth. Additionally, they were 46% more likely to attend a postpartum check-up. There were no significant findings regarding emergency department visits, hospitalizations, and postpartum depression or anxiety. “As doula programs expand, these findings suggest that broader access to doula support could play a critical role in improving maternal health, particularly in high-risk populations.” the authors concluded.
