Comparing the Effects of Standard Maternity Care and Continuous Support by Doula Midwife and Female Relatives during Labor

Background and purpose: Pain in labor causes stress and reduces self-steem. Effective support is a key factor in reducing stress during delivery. The present study aimed to investigate and compare the effects of standard maternity care, continuous supports from private midwife, and female relatives on type and process of delivery, maternal satisfaction, and breastfeeding. Materials and methods: A clinical trial was done in 165 primiparous women attending Amol Imam Ali Hospital, Iran 2018. They were randomly classified into three groups to recieve standard maternity care during delivery (n=55), continuous supports from private midwife (n=55), and female relatives (n=55). The following parameters were compared between all groups: duration and severity of labor pain, type of delivery, maternal satisfaction, Apgar scores, and the start of lactation and continuation of breastfeeding. Results: The duration (P<0.001) and pain severity (P<0.001) of active phase of labor were significantly lower in groups that received continuous support by private midwife and female relatives. In these groups, the satisfaction rates of delivery (P