Obstetric short communications: Companionship to modify the clinical birth environment: no measurable effect on stress hormone levels

SummaryIntroductionThe roles of catecholamines and cortisol in human labour are poorly understood. Plasma levels of these hormones increase during labour and are reported to correlate with maternal anxiety and pain (Lederman et al., 1978). Review of 11 random allocation trials of support from a caregiver during labour has shown a wide range of beneficial effects (Hodnett, 1994), including considerable shortening of the duration of labour and reduced incidence of perinatal complications (Sosa et al., 1980; Klaus et al., 1986). To test the hypothesis that companionship in labour may be associated with reduced stress hormone levels, we have measured plasma adrenaline, noradrenaline and dopamine levels and serum cortisol levels in women enrolled in a random trial of companionship during labour.