Childbirth experience can be improved with the help of a trusted friend

A recent study shows that women who received continuous support in labor by a female support person trained as a "lay doula" had significantly shorter labors, lower cesarean rates, and higher APGAR scores for their newborns.

Doulas are trained and certified to provide continuous support to a woman during labor.

This study looked at 600 labors where the patients' female friend underwent four hours of training in doula techniques and were considered "lay doulas". The results suggested that labor can be shortened by 1 hour. Outcomes on the newborn health were also shown to be improved by 2% based on the APGAR score – a ranking system health care practitioners use to measure health characteristics of newborns.

These findings could benefit low income women who cannot afford formal birth support but want the positive outcome of having the continuous support of a lay doula.

This paper is published in the Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic, & Neonatal Nursing.

http://www.blackwellpublishing.com/jognn