The association of doula support and patient experiences with hospital staff during birth in a sample of California women: An exploratory analysis.
Birth
; 50(3): 546-556, 2023 09.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-36161335
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Research suggests that doula support improves birth outcomes, contributing to lower rates of preterm birth, low birthweight, and nonindicated cesarean delivery. Few studies investigate whether doula support is associated with the quality of patient-reported birth experiences in hospital settings.METHODS:
This study uses data from Listening to Mothers in California, a statewide representative survey of women who gave birth in 2016 in Californian hospitals. The analytic sample included 1345 English-speaking participants. We used multivariable logistic regression to test for associations between doula support and self-reported unfair treatment, abuse, and rapport with delivery staff. We also examined associations between these experiences and openness to doula support in a future birth. Models adjusted for maternal sociodemographic characteristics and views about medical intervention in birth.RESULTS:
Just over 9% of women had doula support during birth. During their hospital stay, 6.3% reported unfair treatment, 11.5% reported abuse by providers, and 5.7% reported no rapport with delivery room staff. There were no statistically significant relationships between doula support and unfair treatment, abuse, or delivery staff rapport in our models. Participants who reported no rapport with hospital staff were more likely to express openness to doula support in a future birth (AOR 2.59; 95% CI 1.15, 5.79).CONCLUSIONS:
Despite their best efforts, doulas may not be able to mitigate all negative interactions between their clients and hospital staff. These experiences may also influence desires for additional support from doulas in future births. Hospital policies and practices should include doulas as valuable members of the care team to help ensure positive experiences during birth.Palavras-chave
Texto completo:
1
Bases de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Nascimento Prematuro
/
Doulas
Tipo de estudo:
Prognostic_studies
/
Risk_factors_studies
Limite:
Female
/
Humans
/
Newborn
/
Pregnancy
País/Região como assunto:
America do norte
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Birth
Ano de publicação:
2023
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Estados Unidos