February 19th, 2014 the ACOG released guidelines to encourage physicians in lowering the nations cesarean rate and improving birth outcomes. You may be quiet surprised to learn how:
The ACOG(American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology) released a document entitled, Safe Prevention of the Primary Cesarean Delivery. This document discusses the different reasons for primary(first time) cesarean births so that it can than suggest ways to lower the cesarean rates.
They made a few different recommendations /guidelines on how to lower the cesarean rate. But the one I want to highlight is continuous labor support. Directly from the report:
"Continuous Labor and Delivery Support
Published data indicate that one of the most effective tools to improve labor and delivery outcomes is the continuous presence of support personnel, such as a doula. A Cochrane meta-analysis of 12 trials and more than 15,000 women demonstrated that the presence of continuous one-on-one support during labor and delivery was associated with improved patient satisfaction and a statistically significant reduction in the rate of cesarean delivery (111). Given that there are no associated measurable harms, this resource is probably underutilized."
OBGYNs are being urged to utilize the support of a birth doula.
Read the full text here:
OBGYNs are being urged to utilize the support of a birth doula.
Read the full text here:
So folks, you're hearing it from the most highly respected group of obstetricians in the world:
Get a doula!!