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Doula Studies

There are three really well known studies on Doulas.  There were two studies of Guatemalan women, and one study in Houston.  

Doulas came about because a researcher sent women in to record information about typical labors, and the researcher became aware that the presence of the women in the room drastically changed the labor outcomes.  That is the first Guatemalan study, and all the women did was sit there with a clip board.  Imagine how much more helpful a trained doula is!

Length of Labor
Natural Vaginal Deliveries
Epidural Rate
Use of Forceps
Use of Pitocin 
Cesarean Birth Rate
Maternal Fever and Epidural Anesthesia
Effects After Delivery
Infant Problems at 6 weeks
Satisfaction with Partner at 6 weeks

There are three really well known studies on Doulas.  There were two studies of Guatemalan women, and one study in Houston.  

Doulas came about because a researcher sent women in to record information about typical labors, and the researcher became aware that the presence of the women in the room drastically changed the labor outcomes.  That is the first Guatemalan study, and all the women did was sit there with a clip board.  Imagine how much more helpful a trained doula is!

Length of Labor
Natural Vaginal Deliveries
Epidural Rate
Use of Forceps
Use of Pitocin 
Cesarean Birth Rate
Maternal Fever and Epidural Anesthesia
Effects After Delivery
Infant Problems at 6 weeks
Satisfaction with Partner at 6 weeks

Length of Labor

  No Doula Doula
1st Guatemalan Study
(40 Women:  oxytocin or cesarean births NOT included)
19 Hours9 hours
2nd Guatemalan Study
(225 Women:  oxytocin or cesarean births NOT included)
15.5 Hours7.7 Hours
Houston Study
(416 Women:  oxytocin and cesarean birth ARE included)
9.4 Hours7.4 Hours

Natural Vaginal Deliveries
(no analgesia, pitocin, forceps)

  No Doula  Doula
Houston Study
(212 Women WITH a Doula and 204 women WITHOUT a Doula)
12%55%

Epidural Rate

  No Doula Doula
Houston Study
 (416 Women)
55%8%

Use of Forceps

  No Doula Doula
Houston Study 
(416 Women)
26%8%

Pitocin Use

  No Doula Doula
 Guatamalan Study
(225 Women with uncomplicated labor and delivery requiring no intervention)
13%2%
Houston Study 
(416 Women)
44%17%

Cesarean Birth Rate

  No Doula Doula
 Guatemalan Study
(225 Women)
17%7%
Houston Study
(416 Women)
18%8%

Maternal Fever and Epidural Anesthesia
Houston Study

  No Doula Doula
Infant kept more than 2 days in hospital (suspected due to epidural fever)24%10%
Maternal Fever10%1%

Effects After Delivery
Johannesburg Study

  No Doula Doula
Breastfeeding Only29%51%
Demand Feeding47%81%
Feeding Food other than Milk53%18%
Feeding Problems63%16%
Average Number of Days of Breastfeeding Only24 days32 days

Infant Health Problems at Six Weeks

  No Doula Doula
Vomiting28%4%
Colds or Runny Nose69%39%
Poor Appetite25%0%
Diarrhea33%19%
Average Number of Days of Breastfeeding Only24 days32 days

Satisfaction with Partner at Six Weeks

   No Doula   Doula
Before Pregnancy63%65%
During Pregnancy48%49%
Since the Baby was Born49%85%
Relationship After Birth30%71%

Yes, I want an amazing birth experience.  Contact me for my no obligation interview! 

Serving Families in the Phoenix Metro Area

Sally Stevens
480-323-0735 (Receives Texts)
Sally@BlessedExpectations.com

 

Your birth is a one of a kind experience and I would be honored to provide you support through the process.

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