• Journal of Korean Clinical Nursing Research
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.87-97
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• 2008

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of Doula support during labor on anxiety, labor pain, and perceived childbirth experience of primiparas. Method: Of 65 primiparas who were hospitalized in LDR from March 1 to September 30, 2007. 32 women were placed in the Doula group and 33 in the control group. VAS was used to measure the degree of labor pain and anxiety in the latent, active, and transitional phases. Perceived childbirth experience was measured within 2 hours after birth. Results: The Doula group had a significantly lower anxiety level than the control group in the active phase (t=-2.13, p=.04) and the transitional phase (t=-3.99, p=.000). The degree of labor pain of the Doula group was significantly lower than that of the control group for the active phase (t=-3.10, p=.003) and the transitional phase (t=-7.24, p=.000). Also, There was no significant difference in perceived childbirth experience between the two groups (t=.19, p=.85). Conclusion: The results of this study show Doula support in LDR decreases not only anxiety of primiparas but also labor pain in the active and transitional phases. Therefore Doula support by nurses in LDR can be a useful intervention during childbirth.