Evaluation of Continuous Support in Labor
Overview
- Phase
- Not Applicable
- Intervention
- Not specified
- Conditions
- Pregnancy
- Sponsor
- Saint Peters University Hospital
- Enrollment
- 600
- Locations
- 1
- Primary Endpoint
- Length of labor
- Status
- Completed
- Last Updated
- 20 years ago
Overview
Brief Summary
The purpose of this study was to compare labor outcomes in women accompanied by an additional support person (doula group) with outcomes in women who did not have this additional support person (control group).
The current study was designed with the benefits of continuous labor support in mind as well as the need for a cost-effective, affordable program to provide those services for low-income women. Its purpose was to evaluate the effects of continuous labor support provided by a female companion of the pregnant person's choosing who, with the mother, had participated in an educational program to teach her how to provide continuous labor support.
Detailed Description
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of a female companion in labor who had been chosen by a nulliparous, underinsured, low-income woman and who had received brief training in supportive labor techniques. The objective was to compare labor outcomes, specifically cesarean section rates, in women accompanied by this additional support person (doula group) with outcomes in women who did not have this additional support person (control group).
Investigators
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria
- •Nulliparous (never given birth before)
- •Singleton pregnancy
- •Vertex presentation
- •Low risk pregnancy
- •Has a female friend willing to be a doula
Exclusion Criteria
- •Placenta previa
- •Abruptio placenta
- •Multiple pregnancy
- •Breech presentation
- •Planned operative delivery
Outcomes
Primary Outcomes
Length of labor
type of delivery
type and timing of analgesia/anesthesia
Secondary Outcomes
- Birthweight
- neonatal Apgar score at 1 and 5 minutes after birth