Impact of doulas on healthy birth outcomes
- UNCG Author/Contributor (non-UNCG co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
- Kenneth Gruber, Evaluation Section Chair (Creator)
- Institution
- The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG )
- Web Site: http://library.uncg.edu/
Abstract: Birth outcomes of two groups of socially disadvantaged mothers at risk for adverse birth outcomes, one
receiving prebirtb assistance from a certified doula and tbe other representing a sample of birthing mothers
who elected to not work with a doula, were compared. All of the mothers were participants in a prenatal
health and childbirth education program. Expectant mothers matched with a doula had better birth outcomes.
Doula-assisted mothers were four times less likely to have a low birth weight (LBW) baby, two times
less likely to experience a birth complication involving themselves or their baby, and significantly more likely
to initiate breastfeeding. Communication witb and encouragement from a doula throughout the pregnancy
may have increased the mother's self-efficacy regarding her ability to impact her own pregnancy outcomes.
Impact of doulas on healthy birth outcomes
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Created on 7/3/2013
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Additional Information
- Publication
- Language: English
- Date: 2013
- Keywords
- doulas, birth outcome, prenatal health, maternity care, perinatal education