-26 Randomized Trials

-15,000 birthing women

-And the results are clear:

“Overall, people who receive continuous support are more likely to have a normal vaginal birth and less likely to have pain medication, negative feelings about childbirth, and Cesareans.

In addition, their labors are shorter and their babies are less likely to have complications at birth. In these studies,

the best results occurred when the continuous support was provided by a trained doula— someone who was not a staff member at the hospital and not part of the birthing person’s social network.”