support during labor and childbirth
/Research shows that women value and benefit from the presence of a support person during labor and childbirth.
This photo captures the birth flow so beautifully, with mama supported closely by her partner and her doula providing sacral pressure. On the role of those who support birthing women, photographer Eva Rose, puts it well: “A doula will never take the midwives’ or birth partners’ place. Everything is talked about beforehand and it’s all about the best support, trust and team work”.
According to a 2017 Cochrane Database Systematic Review, “Continuous support in labor may improve a number of outcomes for both mother and baby…. Continuous support from a person who is present solely to provide support, is not a member of the woman’s own network, is experienced in providing labor support, and has at least a modest amount of training (such as a doula), appears beneficial.”
Labor support may include:
▽ emotional support (continuous presence, reassurance and praise)
▽ information about labour progress
▽ advice about coping techniques
▽ comfort measures (comforting touch, massage, warm baths/showers, encouraging mobility, promoting adequate fluid intake and output)
▽ speaking up when needed on behalf of the woman
Research shows that women who use a birth doula are:
▽ more likely to have spontaneous vaginal birth
▽ more likely to have a shorter duration of labour
▽ less likely to have a cesarean birth
▽ less likely to require any pain medication
▽ more likely to rate their childbirth experience positively
Support during labor and childbirth can take many forms. Not everyone has access to or can afford a doula and certainly Covid-19 regulations have an influence of the ability for support people to be physically present during births. If you can and want to, consider hiring a doula. If isn’t an option for you, do go down the rabbit hole to educate yourself and your chosen partner to discover what support strategies will best empower your birth experience. And don’t forget creating a postpartum plan so that you can continue to feel held during the tender fourth trimester!
Reference:
Bohren MA, Hofmeyr G, Sakala C, Fukuzawa RK, Cuthbert A. Continuous support for women during childbirth. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2017, Issue 7. Art. No.: CD003766. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD003766.pub6. Available here.
