Pregnant patients being induced at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) in Portland who received a plain-language labor guide reported significantly higher satisfaction with their birth and a stronger sense of control than those who received standard counseling, according to a randomized trial published in Pregnancy, the journal of the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine. The hospital has since made the guides available to all patients admitted to its labor and delivery unit.
Lead author Dr. Samuel Melville, a resident physician in obstetrics and gynecology at OHSU, told Stateline that he frequently hears patients quote social media or artificial intelligence when resisting medical interventions, such as medication to help labor that has stalled. The study tested whether clear written information could help patients make informed decisions.
