Attitudes and barriers toward the presence of husbands with their wives in the delivery room during childbirth in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Objectives:The objective of the study is to assess the husbands’ attitudes toward their presence with their wives during childbirth in the delivery room and to determine the barriers that prevent their presence.Methods:A cross-sectional study was conducted at two tertiary hospitals in Riyadh. Data were collected from a total of 250 husbands whom were selected randomly in the waiting areas of the delivery rooms and asked to participate in this study by filling a questionnaire after giving informed consent; data were collected during the period between December 2016 and April 2017.Results:The majority (95.6%) were Saudi and had only one wife. The positive mean score for the attitude increased significantly with increasing educational level (P < 0.01). The highest positive attitude was mainly for the item “It is calming for the mother.” Conversely, the highest negatively scored item was “my presence with my wife in the delivery room is insulting to my manhood” and “our culture is against a husband attending his wife's childbirth” (1.91 ± 1.12). The hospital system and not having a private room for their wives were the most identified barriers to the husband's presence in the delivery room.Conclusions:Increased level of education has better outcomes on husbands’ attitudes toward supporting their wives in the delivery room. Authors recommend flexible hospital policies to support husbands’ presences with their wives in the delivery room and provide privacy for them during childbirth, such will provide psychosocial support to the wife, and it is an important part in transition to a mother-friendly hospitals.

Application of sharia childbirth innovation model in Indonesia: Perspective of midwives and staff of the Islamic Service Unit

“…Mahram is a woman who is forbidden to marry, by heredity, marriage and marital factors, such as mother, daughter, sister, father and mother’s sister, daughter of siblings, daughter-in-law, stepdaughter, and daughter-in-law (Q. S. An-Nisa’: 23). Studies show that the presence of family makes a patient calmer[ 26 ] and facilitates childbirth. [ 9 , 27 ]…”

“…A study states that there are differences in the perception and attitude of the husband in accompanying the wife during childbirth: “ our culture prohibits a husband from attending his wife’s delivery ,” it can even “ insult his masculinity.” [ 26 ] Meanwhile, in another study of husbands, he was considered a “ modern man” because he paid attention to his wife during pregnancy and childbirth. [ 28 ]…”

Birth attendants’ attitudes and practice of companionship during facility-based childbirth and associated factors in the West Shoa Zone, central Ethiopia: A mixed method design

“…Unfavorable Attitude : The birth attendants who answered lower than the median value to the attitude-related questions. 14 , 21…”

“…3 In the study done in Saudi Arabia, the hospital system and not having a private room for women in labor and delivery and cultural influences were identified as barriers to the husband’s presence as a companion in the delivery room. 14 Furthermore, the presence of a companion was identified as a source of discomfort and interference by birth attendants during childbirth in Nepal. 15 Furthermore, negative attitudes of birth attendants toward companion presence during labor and delivery were the main barriers to companionship implementation.…”

The Effects of Socio-Demographic Factors on Male Partner Involvement in Antenatal Care Among Households: A Case of Kaptimbor Village Baringo Central Sub-County, Kenya

“…In many industrialized nations, such as the United States of America and Australia, the husband is permitted to be there during childbirth in order to help the mother throughout labor. In addition, the men also participate in antenatal classes and counseling (Alharbi et al, 2018). Sweden's legal system highlights the importance of male engagement in pregnancies, parent education, and birthing.…”