Doula Research
Featured Study: Goer, Henci. 2004. Humanizing Birth: A Global Grassroots Movement. Birth 31 (4): 308-314. (click reference for PDF document).
Other research articles of interest:
Berry, LM 1988. Realistic expectations of the labor coach. Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic and Neonatal Nursing. Sept/Oct: 354-55.
Bertsch, TD, Nagashima-Whalen, L, Dykeman, S, Kennel, JH, McGrath, S. 1990. Labor support by first-time fathers: direct observations with comparison to experienced doulas. Journal of Psychosomatics in Obstetrics and Gynaecology 11:251-260.
Campero L; Garcia C; Diaz C; Ortiz O; Reynoso S; Langer A. "Alone, I wouldn't have known what to do": a qualitative study on social support during labor and delivery in Mexico. Social Science and Medicine, 1998 Aug, 47(3):395-403. (UI: 98345234--MEDLINE)
Abstract: This article presents some of the most relevant qualitative results of a trial to evaluate the effects of the provision of psychosocial support to first-time mothers during labor, childbirth and in the immediate postpartum period in a social security hospital in Mexico City. The article focuses on the experiences of mothers who have received psychosocial support from a doula (the term doula is used to identify a woman who provides continuous support to a woman during labor. delivery and the immediate postpartum period) and compares them with the experiences of those women who gave birth following normal hospital routine. Sixteen in-depth interviews were held with women in the immediate post partum period (eight of whom had been accompanied by a doula and eight who had not) before they were discharged from hospital, and the results were analyzed using qualitative techniques. The interviews showed that the women accompanied by a doula had a more positive childbirth experience. The differences between both groups related to their perceptions of the childbirth experience; the treatment they received from hospital staff; the information they were given and how well they understood it; their perception of hospital routines; their feelings about cesarean sections and, spatial and temporal perceptions. The most important difference between the two groups was the way they expressed their feelings about their own labor, their sense of control and their self-perception.
Copstick, SM, Taylor, KE, Hayes, R, Morris, N. 1986. Partner support and the use of coping techniques in Labor. Journal of Psychosomatic Research. 30(4): 497-503.
Gagnon AJ; Waghorn K; Covell C. A randomized trial of one-to-one nurse support of women in labor [see comments]. Birth, 1997 Jun, 24(2):71-7.
Gordon NP; Walton D; McAdam E; Derman J; Gallitero G; Garrett L. Effects of providing hospital-based doulas in health maintenance organization hospitals. Obstetrics and Gynecology, 1999 Mar, 93(3):422-6.
Hodnett, ED and Osborn RW. 1989. Effects of continuous intrapartum professional support on childbirth outcomes. Research in Nursing & Health 12(5):289-297.
Hofmeyr, GJ, Nikodem, VC, Wolman, WL, Chalmers BE, Kramer T. 1991 Companionship to modify the clinical birth environment: effects on progress and perceptions of labour, and breastfeeding. British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology 98:756-764.
Kennel, J, Klaus, M, McGrath, S, Robertson, S, Hinkley, C. 1991. Continuous emotional support during labor in a US hospital. Journal of American Medical Association 265(17): 2197-2201.
Klaus MH; Kennell JH. The doula: an essential ingredient of childbirth rediscovered. Acta Paediatrica, 1997 Oct, 86(10):1034-6.
Klaus, MH, Kennell, JL, Robertson, SS, Sosa, R. 1986. Effects of social support during parturition on maternal and infant morbidity. British Medical Journal 293(6547): 585-7.
Langer A; Campero L; Garcia C; Reynoso S. Effects of psychosocial support during labour and childbirth on breastfeeding, medical interventions, and mothers' wellbeing in a Mexican public hospital: a randomised clinical trial. British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 1998 Oct, 105(10):1056-63.
Manning-Orenstein G. A birth intervention: the therapeutic effects of Doula support versus Lamaze preparation on first-time mothers' working models of caregiving. Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine, 1998 Jul, 4(4):73-81.
May, K. 1988-89. Is it time to fire the coach? Childbirth Educator Winter 30-35.
McNiven, P, Hodnett, E, O'Brien-Pallas, LL. 1992. Supporting women in labor: a work sampling study of the activities of intrapartum nurses. Birth: in press.
Nolan M. Supporting women in labour: the doula's role [see comments]. Modern Midwife, 1995 Mar, 5(3):12-5.
Perez PG; Herrick LM. Doulas: exploring their roles with parents, hospitals, & nurses. AHWONN Lifelines, 1998 Apr, 2(2):54-5.
Ridiman KM. Doula for the bereaved. Supporting a mother whose pregnancy has ended. Midwifery Today and Childbirth Education, 1997 Spring(41):26-8.
Schuiling KD; Sampselle CM. Comfort in labor and midwifery art. Image - The Journal of Nursing Scholarship, 1999, 31(1):77-81.
Shearer, B. 1989. Birth Assistant: new ally for the parents-to-be. Childbirth Educator Spring:26-31.
Sosa, R, Kennel, J, Robertson, S, Urrutia, J. 1980. The effect of a supportive companion on perinatal problems, length of labor, and mother-infant interaction. The New England Journal of Medicine. 303(11):597-600.
Zhang J; Bernasko JW; Leybovich E; Fahs M; Hatch MC. Continuous labor support from labor attendant for primiparous women: a meta-analysis. Obstetrics and Gynecology, 1996 Oct, 88(4 Pt 2):739-44.
