A trial on continuous human support during labor: feasibility, interventions and mothers' satisfaction

Abstract

This paper reports the results of two trials using midwifery students and a small pilot trial using laywomen as support persons during labor and the feasibility and experiences in organizing such support. In the trials with students, healthy mothers with single, full-term infants not expected to have immediate delivery were randomly allocated to support (n=122) and control (n=118) groups; most mothers had the father of the baby with them. In the support group, a student stayed with the mother constantly. Many students and midwives did not consider constant support by professionals important or requiring special skills. Mothers were very satisfied with having a midwifery student stay with them. The length of hospital stay before birth was shorter and the number of women whose contractions stopped after randomization was smaller. Otherwise, the progress of labor, interventions and the mother's and infant's health were similar in the two groups. In the trial with laywomen, nine out of the ten mothers were very satisfied with their presence. Our study suggests that constant support may be important for successful birth.