|
|
|
|
|
|
Labor Support: What You Need to Know
What is labor support? Why is support in labor important to consider? Would I still benefit from having a labor support companion if I think I will want an epidural or other pain medication? Who might provide me with supportive care during labor and birth? What is labor support?Throughout the ages, in nearly all societies for which we have records, women have been helped and comforted in labor by other women. These women stayed throughout labor providing physical comfort, emotional reassurance, and information. Today, labor support professionals called doulas (DOO-lah; Greek for "woman who serves") are trained to provide the comfort and care women need during labor. Why is support in labor important to consider?Every woman hopes for her birth experience to be as positive as possible. But women may feel that asking for support and kind treatment in labor shows they are less concerned about safety than a mother should be. In fact, planning for excellent support in labor is an effective way to make birth safer and healthier for you and your baby.Research shows that the availability of support in labor can affect your chances of having a cesarean, vacuum extraction, or forceps delivery; the likelihood that you will need pain medications; and your baby's condition at birth. Labor support can help you avoid or reduce risks associated with these interventions. Research also shows that having good support can affect how you feel about your birth, and that memories of childbirth experiences often stay with women throughout their lives. (For more details about labor support's remarkable benefits - and lack of any known risks - follow through this section to the Best Evidence: Labor Support page.) Would I still benefit from having a labor support companion if I think I will want an epidural or other pain medication?Women who plan to use pain medications could also appreciate having a labor support companion for many reasons:
Who might provide me with supportive care during labor and birth?Research says that having support from a doula or other labor support companion who is present solely to provide continuous support has the most benefits. Others who may be important sources of support are your partner, your clinical caregivers, and friends or family members.The Options: Labor Support page reviews the pros and cons of each type of labor support companion. Most recent page update: 3/12/2013
Related Links
© 2013 Childbirth Connection. All rights reserved.
Childbirth Connection is a national not-for-profit organization founded in 1918 as Maternity Center Association. Our mission is to improve the quality and value of maternity care through consumer engagement and health system transformation. Childbirth Connection promotes safe, effective and satisfying evidence-based maternity care and is a voice for the needs and interests of childbearing families. |
News and Features
Listening to MothersSM III is the third national
survey exploring women’s experiences in pregnancy and childbirth.
Commissioned by Childbirth Connection, conducted by Harris Interactive, and
funded by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, the survey polled 2,400 women who gave
birth in U.S. hospitals from 2011 to 2012. Results show that medically
intensive experiences are typical, and evidence-based practices are
underutilized. Childbearing women need better support and knowledge to
navigate their maternity care.
Access the full report and supplementary materials  New Report: Maternity Care and Liability Go to report and supporting materials New Report: The Cost of Having a Baby in the United States Go to report and supporting materials New Cesarean Resources: Go to Best Evidence Report Go to web pages and booklet for women 
For 95 years, Childbirth Connection has been dedicated to improving the
quality and value of maternity care for all women and their families. Learn
more about our rich history through our interactive
timeline and give
$95 for 95 in honor of
our 95th birthday. 
Childbirth Connection works to ensure that all women and babies get the best
possible maternity care. We have the collective vision and we know how to get
there, but we can't do it alone. Join the transformation
today.
The Transforming
Maternity Care website focuses on maternity care
system improvements designed to engage diverse stakeholders in quality
improvement efforts. The site offers full access to the landmark reports 2020 Vision and
Blueprint for
Action, features a Blog, and other
resources such as an Action Center, a
database of
quality improvement projects, an interactive data
center, and many more tools
for advocates and stakeholders.
Help Transform Maternity Care! |
