The effect of husband participation on reported pain and probability of medication during labor and birth,☆☆

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Abstract

The present study investigated the births of women whose husbands attended labor and birth with the births of women whose husbands attended only the first stage of labor. All subjects were enrolled in childbirth education classes and husbands were encouraged to participate as labor coach throughout labor and birth. Those wives whose husbands attended labor and birth reported less pain and had a significantly lower probability of receiving medication during labor and birth. Husbands and wives who attended labor and birth reported more positive feelings about the total birth experience. Developmental implications are discussed.

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  • Cited by (0)

    From Texas Tech University, Department of Psychology, Lubbock, Texas, U.S.A.

    ☆☆

    This work was supported by funds from Public Health Service Research Grant No. MH 24249-01 and from Childbirth Without Pain Education League, Inc.

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