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:
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.
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:
·
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.
