The Effect of the Doula support During Labor on Delivery Length In Primigravida Women

Labor is one of the most important events in the lives of women، therefore، the factors that reduce the pain and duration of delivery with minimal interference have been always considered by the researchers. Since the presence of a trained attendant midwife (doula) beside the partituate may facilitate the uterus blood flow and contractile activity through reducing maternal anxiety، this study was performed with aim to determinethe effect of continuous care by trained doula on delivery length. This clinical randomized trial was performed on 80primigravida women referred to Alavi Hospital of Ardabil for delivery and were hospitalized in 2014. 40 women in control group (without attendant) received routine obstetrics care in the delivery room and 40 cases in intervention group (with attendant) in addition to routine care of delivery room were supported by a trained midwife. Data collection tools included the questionnaire of demographic characteristics، the standard timer، the form of recording the duration of the active phase and the second phase of labor. Data was analyzed by SPSS software (version 16) and Independent t-test، Chi square and Exact Fisher test. P<0. 05 was considered significant. Independent t-test results showed that mean duration of the active phase of labor was significantly different in the intervention and control groups (P<0. 001). Also، mean duration of the second stage of labor in the two groups showed a statistically significant difference (P<0. 001) that indicates the effect of presence of doula on reducing the duration of first and second stages of labor in the intervention group. The support of a trained attendant midwife doula beside the partituate reduces the duration of labor، and this has a positive effect on relations between mother and baby without substantial interference of doula in midwifery and medical care. Therefore، it is recommended to use this method for the support of partituate and increase the positive experiences of labor and reduce maternal and neonatal complications in patients following reducing the duration of labor.