Return to Home

Doula Study

Length of Labor

No Doula Doula

1st Guatemalan Study

(40 Women: oxytocin or cesarean births NOT included)

19 Hours

9 hours

2nd Guatemalan Study

(225 Women: oxytocin or cesarean births NOT included)

15.5 Hours

7.7 Hours

Houston Study

(416 Women: oxytocin and cesarean birth ARE included)

9.4 Hours

7.4 Hours

Natural Vaginal Deliveries

(no analgesia, pitocin, forceps)

No Doula Doula

Houston Study

(212 Women WITH a Doula and 204 women WITHOUT a Doula)

12%

55%

Epidural Rate

No Doula Doula

Houston Study

(416 Women)

55%

Use of Forceps

No Doula Doula

Houston Study

(416 Women)

26%

Pitocin Use

No Doula Doula

Guatamalan Study

(225 Women with uncomplicated labor and delivery requiring no intervention)

13%

Houston Study

(416 Women)

44%

17%

Cesarean Birth Rate

No Doula Doula

Guatemalan Study

(225 Women)

17%

Houston Study

(416 Women)

18%

Maternal Fever and Epidural Anesthesia

Houston Study

No Doula Doula

Infant kept more than 2 days in hospital (suspected due to epidural fever)	24%	10%
Maternal Fever	10%	1%

Effects After Delivery

Johannesburg Study

No Doula Doula

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

No Doula Doula

Vomiting	28%	4%
Colds or Runny Nose	69%	39%
Poor Appetite	25%	0%
Diarrhea	33%	19%
Average Number of Days of Breastfeeding Only	24 days	32 days

Satisfaction with Partner at Six Weeks

No Doula Doula

Before Pregnancy	63%	65%
During Pregnancy	48%	49%
Since the Baby was Born	49%	85%
Relationship After Birth	30%	71%

Return to Home