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. 2004 Feb;96(2):187–195.

Maternal support in the delivery room and birthweight among African-American women.

Antoine Alexandra Lespinasse 1, Richard J David 1, James W Collins 1, Arden S Handler 1, Stephen N Wall 1
PMCID: PMC2594958  PMID: 14977277

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: We performed a hospital-based case control study of African-American mothers to explore the relationship between maternal support by a significant other in the delivery room and very low birthweight (VLBW). METHODS: We administered a structured questionnaire to mothers of VLBW (less than 1,500 g; N=104) and normal birthweight (greater or equal to 2,500 g; N=208) infants. RESULTS: The odds ratio for VLBW comparing women without social support in the delivery room to those with a companion was 3.5 (2.1-5.8). Several traditional risk factors were not associated with VLBW, but older maternal age and perceived racial discrimination were. CONCLUSIONS: Maternal support in the delivery room or factors closely associated with it significantly decreases the odds of delivering a VLBW infant for African-American women.

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Selected References

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