II. Definition
- Continuous non-medical labor support
III. Efficacy
- Groups with greatest benefit
- Women who would otherwise labor alone
- Low-income patients
- Continuous Doula support improves outcomes
- Reduces labor duration
- Reduces use of Analgesics, Oxytocin and forceps
- Reduces chance of Cesarean Section
- Intermittent support does not offer same benefits
- Scott (1999) Am J Obstet Gynecol 180:1054-9 [PubMed]
- Continuous nursing does not offer same benefit as Doula
IV. Resources
- Doulas of North America (DONA)
- Childbirth and Postpartum Professional Association
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| Definition (MSH) | Trained lay women who provide emotional and/or physical support during obstetric labor and the postpartum period for mothers and their partners. |
| Concepts | Professional or Occupational Group (T097) |
| MSH | D059037 |
| English | Doulas, Doula |
| French | Doulas |
| German | Doulas |
| Czech | dula, duly |
| Spanish | Doulas |
| Russian | POMOSHCHNITSA V RODAKH, ДОУЛЫ, DOULY, ПОМОЩНИЦА В РОДАХ |
| Portuguese | Doulas |
| Polish | Doule, Doula |
| Italian | Doule, Doula |
| Norwegian | Doulaer |
