Papel de doulas jovens e inexperientes no suporte do trabalho de parto.

Abstract

Object: To evaluate the efficacy of a young and lack of experience doula, men and women, on the reduction providing support during labor to young and first time mother. Until now, the majority of studies refer as a doula to a professional and experienced trained woman. Their aims are examined whether a doula altered obstetrical and neonatal outcomes. Methods: 605 primiparous at term which 368 had doula during labor and 237 usual care. The study data were obtained in 1995-1996 at the maternity of São Francisco de Paula´s hospital in Pelotas, RS. We used a questionnaire tested before containing social and demographic information and specific information about the pregnancy and the labor. Results: The duration of the labor for women who had doula was shorter then in the control group (4.8 hours; d.p=4.6 hours versus 6.0 hours; d.p=5.3 hours / p<0.000). In the group of female doula the duration of the labor was 3.6 hours (d.p=3.2 hours) on the other hand, in the male group was 4.5 hours (d.p=4.3 hours). Type of birth, use of forceps, oxytocin administration, smoking during pregnancy, Apgar, newborn´s weight, prenatal care, maternal education and family income didn´t show any significant association with the doula. Conclusions: For this population and setting, labor support from young and lack of experience doula, mainly the female companion, was significantly associated with a shorter labor in primigravidous women.