New Study on Doulas?

[djk42]

Has anyone seen information about a new study done showing that doula's had no affect on the c-section rate of mothers. There was an article in my local paper that I just happened to read while at my in-laws last week. The c-section rate was 12% for both groups in the study, and the doulas were nurses with two days of doula training prior to the study. I am thrilled to see such low rates, but confused as to why they think two days training was enough to warrant this huge study they claim counters previous "pro-doula" studies. Have you more information? I'd love some. :)

[rebeccav]

I'd be interested to see the information you read. Could you email me a link or anything? Where was the study done, and by whom?

I am a doula, but I feel the statistics given for doula-assisted births are a bit misleading. People who choose to use a doula are more likely to want an intervention-free birth (and vice versa), and therefore their odds of having one are instantly greater. Those who are not concerned about avoiding interventions tend to not see the need for a doula, and are less likely to hire one.

I strongly believe doulas can make the difference between an intervention-free birth and a medically-assisted one (or less of a medically-assisted one), but the birthing couple has to want that as well.

Just my late-night, rambling thoughts.

Edited to add - two to three day's training I believe is the norm for doula training. The course I took was three days. I know of one place near here that offers a six week, two-hour a week course.

[missing]

I don't know what the "normal" amount of training is - but in my opinion, there is no equivalent to the experience of helping mom's through an intervention-free birth for a doula.

The "doulas" in this study started as nurses - inherently medically trained. Working as a doula would go against their training and knowledge. The bias towards medical intervention would not be erased by 2 hours training.

Just my thoughts

[rebeccav]

Originally posted by Lea A
The "doulas" in this study started as nurses - inherently medically trained. Working as a doula would go against their training and knowledge. The bias towards medical intervention would not be erased by 2 hours training.Just my thoughts

Good point, Lea. I don't doubt that would colour some of the study as well.

[Andrea_G]

I believe the best studies on doulas are the ones where patients were assigned a doula randomly. And I mean a true doula - a DONA/ICEA, etc. certified doula... not just some nurse who had some hospital based doula classes :o

And the patients were ones who did not plan on a doula. These types of doula programs are gaining in popularity.

[jennmomof1]

I don't plan on using a Doula for much labor support. Hopefully just babysitting pictures and cleaning up when it's all done. I really can't believe a Doula had no possitive effects. I think they don't tell you about all the births that would have been C-sections.