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Continuous support during childbirth

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 are more likely to give birth without pain medication and are less likely to describe their birth experience negatively.1

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.

Citations

  1. Hodnett ED, et al. (2005). Continuous support for women during childbirth. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (2). Oxford: Update Software.

Author Kathe Gallagher, MSW
Editor Kathleen M. Ariss, MS
Associate Editor Pat Truman
Primary Medical Reviewer Sarah Anne Marshall, MD
- Family Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer Kirtly Jones, MD
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
Last Updated December 19, 2005

WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise

Last Updated: December 19, 2005
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