EFFECTS OF EDUCATED LABOR ATTENDANT ON BIRTH PROCESS AND RELATED FACTORS

Abstract

The aim was to evaluate the effects of educated labor attendant (ELA) to pregnant women on the delivery process, mother’s delivery satisfaction, and postpartum parenting behavior. Study women were divided into two groups depending on whether an ELA was present during labor or not. Obstetric and neonatal outcomes, Postpartum Parenting Behavior Scale (PPBS), Labor Agentry Scale, and labor satisfaction rate were evaluated and compared in the intervention and control groups. A total of 252 pregnant women, 126 in each group, were included in the study. The rate of cesarean section, the need of systemic analgesic application and pain measurements were significantly lower in the study group compared to the control group (p=0.01, p<0.001 and p<0.001, respectively). The mean PPBS and Labor Agentry Scale scores were significantly higher in the study group compared to the control group (p<0.001). ELA accompanying pregnant women help them overcome their labor fear in every stage of delivery, and decrease the rate of cesarean section.