|
|
|
|
|
|
Labor Support: an In Depth Pregnancy Topic
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?Why is support in labor important to consider?Your memories of labor, including the full intensity of your feelings, will stay with you for the rest of your life. Of course you want your experience to be as positive as possible. Research shows that the availability of support in labor can affect how you feel about your labor, yourself, your baby, and your partner. It can even 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. (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?Your partner and your clinical caregivers are possible sources of support. These options are likely to have important strengths and limitations. You may wish to ensure that additional support is available. A large body of research supports including an experienced or trained woman on your labor and birth team. This can be a doula (trained labor support specialist), or it can be a relative or friend who is knowledgeable and comfortable around birth.Most recent page update: 6/30/2008
Related Links
© 2010 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 of maternity care through research, education, advocacy and policy. 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
"2020 Vision" and "Blueprint for Action" Reports Available
Rising Maternal Mortality
Maternity Care Fact Sheet Available
US Cochrane Center (USCC)/Consumers United for Evidence-based Healthcare (CUE) Maternity Care, a Major Segment of Health Industry, Must Be Overhauled for Health Care Reform to Succeed
Help Transform Maternity Care!  Please join our efforts to make quality maternity care a top national priority. Your support will help make the transformation possible.View 2009 Supporter Roster  New Mothers Speak Out National Report Released The latest report in Childbirth Connection's Listening to Mothers series is now available. Get an eye-opening look at the reality of life as a mother of young children in the United States, based on national surveys conducted by Harris Interactive. Learn more, get the report  Read the Wall Street Journal story and listen to the podcast Download Quick Facts (PDF) New Content!
 Journey to Parenthood Full Book Available Online! A family-friendly book covering the trimesters, pregnancy resources, and the latest information on baby's first year of development. Available online (free) and for purchase in the Bookstore. Browse through Journey to Parenthood  Buy this book and learn more
Popular Pages
"Motherhood is awesome. A little trying at times."
Every woman has the right to receive all or most of her maternity care from a single caregiver or a small group of caregivers, with whom she can establish a relationship. Every woman has the right to leave her maternity caregiver and select another if she becomes dissatisfied with her care. (Only second sentence is a legal right.)
|
