A Randomized Controlled Trial of Continuous Labor Support for Middle‐Class Couples: Effect on Cesarean Delivery Rates

Abstract

For middle-class women laboring with the support of their male partner, the continuous presence of a doula during labor significantly decreased the likelihood of cesarean delivery and reduced the need for epidural analgesia. Women and their male partners were unequivocal in their positive opinions about laboring with the support of a doula.