THE ESSENTIAL
- 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.
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.” concluded the authors.
