Research about Support during Childbirth

Most research on this topic has looked at the effect of having female supporters during labour, with or without the baby's father being present. A review of research done on this subject ⁹ looked at the effects of continuous support during labour provided in hospital by midwives, childbirth educators, specially trained lay people such as doulas, or by a friend, family member or stranger with no special training in labour support, but who had given birth themselves. (All support caregivers in this review were female). The review concluded that the continuous presence of a support person:

• reduced the likelihood of the woman having an epidural or other pain medication
  
• reduced the likelihood of the woman having a ventouse or forceps delivery
  
• reduced the likelihood of the woman having a Caesarean delivery
  
• improved the woman's views of her childbirth experience (for example, her overall satisfaction and her level of personal control)

In general, the greatest benefits are conferred when the person providing the support is not a member of the hospital staff (and are therefore not fulfilling a dual role), when epidural anaesthesia is not routinely used and when support begins early in labour.

There has been very little research so far on birth support being given by men. It is known that a loving male partner can give emotional support and can be an advocate for the woman in the hospital environment.¹¹ Some doubts have been expressed about handing over the supportive role entirely to the father, partly because he may not have the necessary experience to take on that role, and partly because the father is actually sharing the birth experience and may need to be supported himself.¹⁷ If a man is to be the sole labour supporter, he may be able to equip himself better for the role by receiving some form of antenatal education.

A summary of research evidence on the subject of support during childbirth produced by MIDIRS¹¹ suggests the following:

• Even if a woman in labour is accompanied by her partner she will benefit from the continuous presence of a second support person of her choice.
• Where midwives provide continuous one-to-one care they fulfil the function of the second support person.
• The father of the baby is often the woman's first choice of labour companion, but it should not be taken for granted that he is the right person, or the only person, who can help her.

Further research has suggested that if a chosen supporter has had previous negative childbirth experiences these may affect their ability to support the woman.¹²

You can find out more about being supported by a Doula (experienced female offering emotional and practical support before, during or after birth) at www.doula.org.uk.

[This research summary includes information from the following leaflet produced by MIDIRS:

Informed Choice for Professionals No.1 - Support in Labour

For details on how to purchase the Informed Choice leaflets go to the Informed Choice website.]

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