Continuous Support During Childbirth

Topic Overview

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.

Related Information

References

Citations

  1. Hodnett ED, et al. (2007). Continuous support for women during childbirth. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (1).

Credits

ByHealthwise Staff
Primary Medical ReviewerKathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine
Primary Medical ReviewerSarah Marshall, MD - Family Medicine
Specialist Medical ReviewerKirtly Jones, MD - Obstetrics and Gynecology
Last RevisedJanuary 7, 2010
By: Healthwise StaffLast Revised: January 7, 2010
Medical Review: Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine
Sarah Marshall, MD - Family Medicine
Kirtly Jones, MD - Obstetrics and Gynecology

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