John H. Kennell

John H. Kennell (January 9, 1922 – August 29, 2013) was a doctor of pediatrics and researcher known for his work in maternal bonding during childbirth and support of doulas.

Biography John Hawks Kennell was born on January 9, 1922, in Reading, Pennsylvania, to Doris Hawks and Carlyle Kennell. He grew up in Buffalo, New York and was valedictorian of Bennett High School. He attended medical school at the University of Rochester receiving his M.D. in 1946. Kennell and Klaus republished the book with a new title, "Parent-Infant Bonding" in 1982 which acknowledged their mistakes and weren't as specific about the bonding timetable as in the previous version. This research led to many hospitals to change their procedures to give new parents time with their infants, allow partners in the delivery room, and the baby's siblings to visit. Kennell later became interested in the bonding of parents whose infants died in delivery or soon after being born. This research led him to recommend parents hold their deceased infants.

During Kennell's studies of maternal-infant bonding in the 1980s, he also noticed shorter labors when a female research assistant supported the women during delivery. The study "Effects of social support during parturition on maternal and infant morbidity" with Klaus, Steven Robertson, and Roberto Sosa demonstrated that trained labor companions, often known as doulas, reduces labor time, perinatal complications, and the need for medication and cesarean delivery.

Kennell died on August 29, 2013.