Impact of Doula Support on Childbirth Outcomes for Women Undergoing a Vaginal Birth After Cesarean (VBAC)

Impact of Doula Support on Intrapartum Outcomes for Women Undergoing a Vaginal Birth After Cesarean (VBAC)

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the impact of doula support on childbirth outcomes of women who are eligible for and attempting to have a Vaginal Birth After Cesarean (VBAC). Doulas are paraprofessionals who provide women with continuous physical and emotional support throughout the course of labour. They also conduct home visits in the prenatal and postpartum periods in order to provide women with information on childbirth-related topics and breastfeeding support. They do not perform clinical tasks. Their value lies in the psycho-social care that they provide. It is hypothesized that women who receive doula support alongside standard care will have a lower rate of epidural analgesia use and greater cervical dilation at time of epidural administration, as compared to those who receive standard care alone.

A two-armed randomized controlled trial will be conducted at BC Women's Hospital. The experimental group will receive both standard clinical care and doula support. The control group will receive standard clinical care without doula support. The main outcomes being looked at are use of epidural analgesia and cervical dilation at time of epidural administration. These outcomes have been chosen because of the association between the use of epidural analgesia and both a prolonged length of labour and the need for assisted deliveries (i.e. forceps assisted deliveries, vacuum assisted deliveries, and cesarean births). If it is found that providing doula support for women who are eligible for and attempting to have a VBAC reduces or delays the use of epidural analgesia, then it could be hypothesized that doula support for this population may also shorten the length of labour and reduce the need for assisted deliveries, thereby justifying ongoing research in this area.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Women who have had at least one prior cesarean birth, are eligible for VBAC, and plan to attempt a VBAC after counseling at the Best Birth Clinic.
• Singleton gestation.
• Cephalic presentation.
• Term gestation (37-42 weeks at time of delivery).

Exclusion Criteria:

• Women who have a pre-existing medical condition that would be an indication for an elective cesarean birth.
• Women who plan to privately hire a doula regardless of placement in either arm of the trial.