Evidence Base Birth’s Evidence on Doulas

“Overall, people who received continuous support were more likely to have spontaneous vaginal births and less likely to have any pain medication, epidurals, negative feelings about childbirth, vacuum or forceps-assisted births, and Cesareans. In addition, their labors were shorter by about 40 minutes and their babies were less likely to have low Apgar scores at birth. There is a smaller amount of evidence that doula support in labor can lower postpartum depression in mothers. There is no evidence for negative consequences to continuous labor support. “

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Doulas Are Evidence-Based Care

“Doulas improve outcomes for birthing parents without any documented risks, consequences, or side-effects! In fact, the presence of a trained doula improves outcomes MORE than the support of a partner, nurse, close friend, or family member. Even the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends doulas to help reduce rising cesarean rates and intervention rates and improve outcomes. The Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN) also acknowledges the benefits of continuous labor support for improving outcomes for birthing people, their families, and their babies.”

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Having a Doula – What are the Benefits?

“A recent Cochrane Review, Continuous Support for Women During Childbirth, showed a very high number of positive birth outcomes when a doula was present. With their support, women were less likely to have pain-relief medications administered and less likely to have a cesarean birth. Women also reported having a more positive childbirth experience.

Other studies have shown that having a doula as a member of the birth team decreases the overall cesarean rate by 50%, the length of labor by 25%, the use of oxytocin by 40%, and requests for an epidural by 60%.”

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MARCH OF DIMES POSITION STATEMENT DOULAS AND BIRTH OUTCOMES

“In summary, this document states that:

March of Dimes supports increased access to doula care as one tool to help improve birth outcomes and reduce the higher rates of maternal morbidity and mortality among women of color in the United States.

March of Dimes advocates for all payers to provide coverage for doula services.

March of Dimes recognizes the importance of increased training, support and capacity development for doulas, including doulas from racially, ethnically, socioeconomically and culturally diverse communities.”

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Doula Statistics: The Myths vs Facts of Doula Birth Support

“If you listened to episode 35 on our podcast, you would know that Nick & Ric, mine and Meagan’s husbands, respectively, are sold on the doula model for five main reasons:

Doulas saved them money

Doulas helped move our births along quicker

Doulas allowed them to pay attention to US and worry less about the logistics

Doulas made them aware of things they had no idea they needed to know

Doulas improved our birth outcomes and satisfaction with our birth experiences.”

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Benefit of a Doula

“Research shows that people who use a birth doula are:

less likely to need Pitocin

less likely to have a cesarean birth

less likely to use any pain medication

more likely to rate their childbirth experience positively”

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