Healthy birth practice #3: bring a loved one, friend, or doula for continuous support

Area of Science:

• Obstetrics and Gynecology
• Maternal-Fetal Medicine
• Reproductive Health

Background:

• Continuous labor support is a key component of promoting normal birth.
• Previous reviews have established the benefits of continuous labor support.
• Barriers to accessing continuous labor support persist for many women.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide an updated evidence-based review of continuous labor support during childbirth.
• To reaffirm the importance of Care Practice #3 from Lamaze International: Continuous Labor Support.
• To advocate for the removal of financial and cultural barriers to continuous labor support.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review of existing literature on continuous labor support.
• Analysis of evidence on maternal and neonatal outcomes associated with continuous labor support.
• Examination of studies addressing barriers to continuous labor support.

Main Results:

• Continuous labor support is associated with improved maternal and infant outcomes.
• Benefits include reduced rates of interventions like Cesarean birth and instrumental delivery.
• No adverse effects or harm have been identified with continuous labor support.
• Financial and cultural barriers limit access for many women.

Conclusions:

• Continuous labor support is a safe and effective practice that should be universally accessible.
• Healthcare policies and practices should facilitate the presence of support persons during labor.
• Encouraging continuous labor support aligns with promoting normal physiological birth.