STUDIES OF DOULAS AND THEIR IMPACT ON FAMILIES

from Mothering the Mother by Klaus, Kennell, and Klaus.

No Doula

Doula

LENGTH OF LABOR
1st Guatemalan Study
(40 women: oxytocin or
cesarean births NOT included)
19 hrs 9 hrs
2nd Guatemalan Study
(225 women: oxytocin or
cesarean births NOT included)
15.5 hrs 7.7 hrs
Houston Study
(416 women: oxytocin and
cesarean births ARE included)
9.4 hrs 7.4 hrs
NATURAL VAGINAL DELIVERIES
(no analgesia, oxytocin, forceps)
Houston Study
(212 woman WITH a doula)
(204 women without a doula)
12% 55%
EPIDURAL RATE
Houston Study
(416 women)
55% 8%
OXYTOCIN (Pitocin) USE
Guatemalan Study
(225 women with uncomplicated
labor and delivery requiring no
intervention)
13% 2%
Houston Study
(416 women)
44% 17%
USE OF FORCEPS
Houston Study
(416 women)
26% 8%
CESAREAN BIRTH RATE
Guatemalan study
(225 women)
17% 7%
Houston Study
(416 women)
18% 8%
EFFECTS AFTER DELIVERY
Johannesburg Study
Feeding behavior at six weeks
Breastfeeding only 29% 51%
Demand feeding 47%81%
Feeding Food other than Milk 53%18%
Feeding problems 63%16%
Average Number of Days of
Breastfeeding Only
24 days 32 days
Infant Health Problems at Six Weeks
Vomiting 28%4%
Colds or Runny Nose 69%39%
Poor appetite 25%0%
Diarrhea 33%19%
Satisfaction with Partner at Six Weeks
Before Pregnancy 63%65%
During Pregnancy 48%49%
Since the baby was born 49%85%
Relationship after birth 30%71%
MATERNAL FEVER AND EPIDURAL ANESTHESIA
Houston Study
Infant kept more than 2 days in hospital
(suspected due to epidural fever)
24%10%
Maternal Fever 10%1%

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