• 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.

• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.379-387
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• 2021

Purpose: This study aimed to determine the actual state of childbirth in Korean women with natural childbirth and the degree of damage to the perineum during childbirth. Methods: This retrospective study analyzed the medical records of mothers who had natural childbirth at a hospital in Seoul, Korea in 2018. Data from 358 women with cephalic births at greater than 37 gestational weeks were analyzed. To determine natural childbirth characteristics and the degree of damage to the perineum, descriptive statistics were done. The difference in the degree of perineal injury according to obstetric characteristics was analyzed using independent t-test and one-way analysis of variance. Results: The mean age was 33.18±3.68 years, and 49.2% were primiparas, while 39% gave birth with a doula. The degree of perineal damage differed by age (F=9.15, p<.001), parity (t=19.13, p<.001), number of births in multiparity (F=3.68, p=.027), previous vaginal delivery in multiparity (F=3.00, p=.032) and birthing posture (F=7.44, p<.001). Having received therapeutic procedures (t=-4.62, p<.001), specifically fluid administration (t=-2.72, p=.007), oxygen supply (t=-2.76, p=.006) and epidural anesthesia (t=-2.77, p=.006) were statistically significant for perineal damage. There were no differences, however, by gestational period, doula use, water room use in labor, baby head circumference, or birth weight. Conclusion: Study findings suggest that support for older women, primiparas, and those who require therapeutic procedures may help to decrease the possibility of perineal damage during childbirth. As perineal damage was also associated with birthing posture, this should be considered when providing intrapartum nursing care.