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Birthing Better With The Pink Kit Method®

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Benefits of Labor Support


"Let me note that if I had told you today about a new medication or a new electronic device that would reduce problems of fetal asphyxia and the progress of labor by two thirds, cut labor length by one half and enhance mother-infant interaction after delivery, I expect that there would be a stampede to obtain this new medication or device in every obstetric unit in the United States, no matter what the cost. Just because the supportive companion [doula] makes good common sense does not decrease her importance." - Dr. John Kennell


Quotes From 2 Studies

"...doula support is an essential component of childbirth. A thorough reorganization of current birth practices is in order to ensure that every woman has access to continuous emotional and physical support during labor." [3]

"The beneficial effects of labor support underscore the need for a review of current obstetric practices." [2]


Why Hire a Birth Doula?

Women who are continuously supported by a birth doula through labor are:


Women with labor support also experience the following benefits after the birth of their child:

*Hodnett ED, Gates S, Hofmeyr G J, Sakala C. Continuous support for women during childbirth [PDF]. The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2003, Issue 3. Art. No.: CD003766. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD003766.


Benefits of a Doula on Childbirth & Early Parenting

Increased:


Decreased:
  
Interventions -
  
Oxytocin use by 40%
Pain medications (narcotics) by 30%
Forceps & vacuum extractors by 30%
Epidurals
  
 Maternal fever
 Anxiety
 Tension
 Length of labor by 25%
 Septic work ups
 Cesareans by 50%
 Days in neonatal ICU
 Neo-natal problems
 Postpartum depression
 

Long Term Benefits:

Maternal/infant bonding
Improved breast feeding
Increased time spent with the baby
More positive maternal assessments of baby’s personality, competence and health


Physical Benefits

 Fewer requests for epidurals (60%), narcotics (30%) [1-4,7,8]
 Reduced use of pitocin [1,2,4,6,7]
 Reduced duration of labor (25%) [1-6]
 Fewer forceps deliveries [1,2,4,5]
 Reduced use of vacuum extraction [4]
 Reduced cesarean section rates (50%) [1,7]
 Neonate hospitalization and rate of complications reduced [2,3]
 Reduced chances of maternal fever and infection [2]
 Reduced maternal bleeding following birth [5]
 Increased chance of spontaneous vaginal birth [6]


Psychological Benefits

 Mothers report more positive reviews of their birth experience [4,8,13]
 Reduced levels of anxiety [4]
 Mothers have higher regard and increased sensitivity towards babies [4,10]
 Mothers feel more secure and have more confidence [14]
 Reduced incidence of post-partum depression [4,10]

References