Topic Overview

Having a support person from early labor until after childbirth (such as a doula, nurse, midwife, or childbirth educator) has a proven, positive effect on childbirth.

Women who have continuous one-on-one support through labor may be more likely to:¹

• Give birth without pain medicine
• Describe their birth experience positively.
• Give birth without certain interventions, such as cesarean or vacuum delivery.
• Have slightly shorter labors.

Although there is not a proven direct connection between continuous support and less labor pain, having a support person does help you feel more control and less fear, which are strong elements of mental pain control.