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Your weekly dose of evidence
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If you keep abreast of all things royal, you might have seen the Duchess of Sussex Meghan Markle has hired a doula for the impending birth of the next royal baby. But what does a doula actually do?
A Cochrane Review published this week brings together the results of more than 50 studies to tell us birth doulas, and other labour companions, play a key role in supporting women during childbirth (and before and after too). The lead author Meghan Bohren explains doulas support women during childbirth by providing information, advocating for the woman’s needs, and providing practical and emotional support.
Beyond that, pairing a woman with a doula from the same ethnic, linguistic or religious background as her may be an important way to improve equity and provide culturally responsive care.
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Phoebe Roth
Assistant Editor, Health+Medicine
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Doulas support women before, during and after childbirth. A new review explores the important role they play.
From shutterstock.com
Meghan A. Bohren, University of Melbourne
Supporting women to have a labour companion or doula of their choice during childbirth has benefits for women and their babies. It could be especially important for women from migrant backgrounds.
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From the archives: childbirth
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It can be tough deciding where to give birth.
nata-lunata/Shutterstock
Hannah Dahlen, Western Sydney University
More than 300,000 women give birth in Australia each year. Most (97%) give birth in hospitals (72% of these in public and 28% in private), while 0.3% are born before they arrive at hospital.
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One in four Australian mothers had a negative birth experience.
By LittleDogKorat/Shutterstock
Hannah Dahlen, Western Sydney University
While childbirth is often a joyful event, it rarely unfolds exactly how we think it will. This causes disappointment among some women, and leaves a small proportion with a diagnosis of postnatal PTSD.
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Social and financial pressures are driving many Australian women who want to have children to wait until later in life.
mimagephotography/Shutterstock
Hannah Brown, University of Adelaide
Are there other risks and complications associated with pregnancy and childbirth in your 50s and 60s – or even your 40s?
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Birthing on country generally refers to an Aboriginal mother giving birth to her child on the lands of their ancestors.
Skylines/Shutterstock
Catherine Chamberlain, Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute; Rhonda Marriott, Murdoch University; Sandy Campbell, James Cook University
Where birthing on country is not offered, women leave their families weeks before birth. Or she can choose to give birth in her community without skilled birth attendants, which is risky.
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Expert answers to serious, weird and wacky questions
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Brooke Huuskes, La Trobe University
When my kidneys stopped working properly, my dad gave me one of his kidneys. Thanks, Dad.
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Amy Edwards, La Trobe University
Sometimes, two different animals will evolve to have a similar adaptation, even when they are not closely related. Flight is an excellent example.
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Top picks from the week
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Many men were concerned about climaxing too quickly or lacking interest in sex.
Krista Mangulsone
Jennifer Power, La Trobe University
Research suggests that men who are exposed to cultural images of traditional masculinity have a greater vulnerability to sexual dysfunction than those who aren't.
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Dragana Gordic/Shutterstock
Tom Sanders, King's College London
Some of the advice on eggs should be taken with a pinch of salt.
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The attack is likely to have enduring psychological effects for those at the scene.
Mick Tsikas/AAP
Richard Bryant, UNSW
It's distressing to see reports of terrorist attacks but these feelings will usually abate over days or weeks. But people with a history of trauma need to take extra care of their mental health.
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Featured jobs
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