A systematic review of evidence by the Cochrane library, which reviewed
fourteen trials involving more than 5000 women, provides the most supportive
argument for the use of birth attendant care in labour (Hodnett, 2003). This
review found that:
Earlier research
show similar findings. Following their review of this evidence Klaus, Kennell
and Klaus (1993) itemised the positive effects of birth attendant care as:
The continuous presence of a support person reduced the likelihood of medication for pain relief, operative vaginal delivery, caesarean delivery, and a 5-minute Apgar score less than 7. Continuous support was also associated with a slight reduction in the length of labour. Six trials evaluated the effects of support on mothers' views of their childbirth experiences; while the trials used different measures....in each trial the results favoured the group who had received continuous support.
- 50% reduction on caesarean rates,
- 25% shorter labour,
- 60% reduction in epidural requests,
- 40% reduction in syntocinon use,
- 30% reduction in analgesia use,
- 40% reduction in forceps delivery.
