Childbirth is a transformative experience, filled with excitement, anticipation, and sometimes fear. Many expectant parents worry about the pain of labor, the unknowns of the birth process, and the potential need for medical interventions. This is where continuous labor support—such as having a doula—can make a significant difference.
According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), research suggests that one-on-one emotional and physical support during labor leads to better birth outcomes (Hodnett, Gates, Hofmeyr, & Sakala, 2013). Labor support has been proven to reduce labor time, lower the use of pain medications, and decrease cesarean rates, all while boosting the self-confidence of expectant parents.
How Continuous Labor Support Improves Birth Outcomes
1️⃣ Shorter Labor Times
💡 Studies show that having continuous support reduces labor duration.
- A study conducted in Guatemala found that the presence of a supportive companion during labor significantly shortened labor times (Kennell et al., 1991).
- Another study in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews concluded that continuous support reduces the length of labor by an average of 40 minutes (Hodnett et al., 2013).
📌 Why does labor progress faster with support?
✔ Continuous labor support helps the mother stay relaxed and focused, which allows the body’s natural oxytocin to flow and contractions to be more effective.
✔ Doulas encourage movement and position changes, which helps the baby descend into the birth canal.
📌 Reference: Hodnett et al., 2013; Kennell et al., 1991
2️⃣ Reduced Need for Pain Medication & Epidurals
Fear and anxiety can increase pain perception during labor. When a mother is tense, her muscles tighten, which can slow labor and increase pain.
🔹 With labor support, fewer women request pain medication.
- The Cochrane Review found that women with continuous labor support were 9% less likely to request pain relief medications (Hodnett et al., 2013).
- A doula helps the mother focus on breathing, relaxation techniques, massage, and counterpressure, reducing the perceived intensity of contractions.
- When pain management techniques work, the use of epidurals decreases, leading to a lower risk of medical interventions.
📌 Why does this matter?
✔ Some pain medications can cause drowsiness in the mother, affecting her ability to push effectively.
✔ Epidurals, while helpful, can prolong labor and increase the likelihood of needing assisted delivery (forceps or vacuum) (ACOG, 2023).
✔ Some medications cross the placenta, affecting the baby’s activity and potentially lowering five-minute Apgar scores (Hodnett et al., 2013).
📌 Reference: Hodnett et al., 2013; ACOG, 2023
3️⃣ Lower Cesarean Rates
The U.S. Cesarean rate remains high, with nearly 1 in 3 births (31.8%) resulting in a C-section (CDC, 2023). While cesareans are sometimes necessary, many are performed due to labor that has stalled or complications that could be prevented with continuous support.
🔹 Labor support significantly reduces the likelihood of cesarean birth:
- Studies show that women with continuous support have a 25% lower risk of cesarean section compared to those without support (Hodnett et al., 2013).
- Doulas help optimize fetal positioning, encourage movement, and reduce maternal stress, leading to fewer interventions.
- Staying upright and mobile (as encouraged by a doula) uses gravity to assist in cervical dilation, decreasing the need for medical intervention.
📌 Reference: Hodnett et al., 2013; CDC, 2023
4️⃣ Emotional Support & Reduced Birth Trauma
For many women, labor is not just a physical process—it’s deeply emotional. Fear of labor pain, past birth trauma, or unfamiliar medical procedures can cause stress, which slows labor progression.
✔ A doula provides reassurance, advocacy, and a calming presence during birth.
✔ The birth environment feels safer and more positive when women have someone solely dedicated to their comfort and well-being.
✔ Continuous support reduces postpartum stress, lowers the risk of birth trauma, and increases maternal satisfaction with the birth experience (Kozhimannil et al., 2016).
📌 Reference: Kozhimannil et al., 2016 – The Role of Doulas in Reducing Birth Disparities
5️⃣ Helping Parents Navigate the Medical System
Hospitals can feel overwhelming, especially for first-time parents. Medical staff use acronyms and medical jargon, making it difficult for expectant parents to understand what’s happening.
✔ A doula acts as an interpreter, explaining medical terms and helping parents understand their options.
✔ With clear information, parents feel more confident making informed decisions about their care.
✔ Advocacy matters—studies show that parents with labor support feel more empowered and have higher satisfaction with their birth experience (Kozhimannil et al., 2016).
📌 Reference: Kozhimannil et al., 2016
Conclusion: Labor Support is Essential for Better Birth Experiences
The research is clear—continuous labor support leads to better outcomes for both mothers and babies.
✔ Shorter labor times
✔ Less need for pain medication
✔ Lower cesarean rates
✔ Reduced birth trauma & increased emotional well-being
Since hospital births have become more medicalized, the role of doulas and labor support workers is more crucial than ever. Childbirth should be treated as a natural process, not just a medical event. With proper support, expectant parents can have a positive, empowering birth experience.
💬 Have you had a doula-supported birth? Share your experience in the comments!
📌 For more information about hiring a doula, visit:
✔ DONA International
✔ Evidence-Based Birth
References
- Hodnett, E. D., Gates, S., Hofmeyr, G. J., & Sakala, C. (2013). Continuous support for women during childbirth. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, (7). DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD003766.pub5
- Kennell, J., Klaus, M., McGrath, S., Robertson, S., & Hinkley, C. (1991). Continuous emotional support during labor in a US hospital: A randomized controlled trial. JAMA, 265(17), 2197–2201.
- Kozhimannil, K. B., Hardeman, R. R., Alarid-Escudero, F., Vogelsang, C. A., Blauer-Peterson, C., & Howell, E. A. (2016). Modeling the cost-effectiveness of doula care associated with reductions in preterm birth and cesarean delivery. Birth, 43(1), 20–27.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2023). Birth data: Cesarean delivery rates. Retrieved from www.cdc.gov
- American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). (2023). Pain management during labor and delivery. Retrieved from www.acog.org
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