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. 2013 Winter;22(1):49-58.
doi: 10.1891/1058-1243.22.1.49.

Impact of doulas on healthy birth outcomes

Kenneth J Gruber, Susan H Cupito, Christina F Dobson

Impact of doulas on healthy birth outcomes

Kenneth J Gruber et al. J Perinat Educ. 2013 Winter.

Abstract

Birth outcomes of two groups of socially disadvantaged mothers at risk for adverse birth outcomes, one receiving prebirth assistance from a certified doula and the 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 with 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.

Keywords: birth outcome; doula; prenatal health.

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