IMPACT OF DOULAS ON HEALTHY BIRTH OUTCOMES BY KENNETH J. GRUBER, PHD, SUSAN H. CUPITO, MA, AND CHRISTINA F. DOBSON, MED Power Point by Leticia Austin

Highlights  Skilled doulas positively impact the outcomes of a healthy birth  Impacts are greater for women who are economically and socially disadvantaged  One study found mothers had significantly shorter labor and higher Apgar scores with doula assisted births.

Design  Study used a nonexperimental design and was composed of two groups, doula and nondoula  Participants who attended 3 of the 8 of the prenatal classes had the option to have a doula present for delivery and prenatal care

Results  The study found that women with doulas were four times less likely to deliver a baby with low birth weight  There was a drop in birth complications  Nearly all the mothers (90.4%) that were doula assisted initiated breastfeeding after delivery  The study concludes that having doulas present in hospital settings can greatly increase the rates of healthy natural births, and reduce the need for medical interventions.

Thoughts  After having one traumatic medically traditional delivery, I chose to have a doula present and a midwife for the delivery of my second child. My doula made a world of difference in my confidence level, pain relief, and support. As discussed in the article, she impacted my birth in a way that no one else could have.  The study and article discuss both sides of having a doula assisted birth, and the evidence still points to the benefits outweighing the cons.  Since a doulas focus is on the mother, as stated in the study, she can influence a delivery and care for the mother without interference. Her main goal, as a doula, is the desired delivery and a healthy baby.  Doulas ROCK!

References  Gruber, K.J, Cupito, S.H., & Dobson, C.F. (2013). Impact of doulas on healthy birth outcomes. Journal of Perinatal Education, 22(1),