Experiences of women with the support they received from their birth companions during labour and delivery in Malawi

Abstract

<p align="left" style="text-align:justify;"> <span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"">A study was conducted to describe the experiences of primiparous women with the support they received from their birth companions during labour and delivery in Malawi. The study design was descriptive and utilized qualitative data collection and analysis method on a sample of 20 primiparous women. The women were recruited from the postnatal ward of Bwaila hospital and were interviewed regarding their experiences on the support they received from their birth companions during labour and delivery using an open ended interview guide. Data was manually analyzed using content analysis. Primiparous women described the support they received from their birth companions as useful and beneficial. Birth companions provided advice, physical, emotional and spiritual support to the women during their labour and delivery. In addition, the birth companions were viewed as guardians of the women during labour and delivery. Results however, show that some women were not properly assisted by their companions because both the mothers and companions lacked knowledge on birth companionship. The results further show that birth companions play important roles during the birth and delivery of primiparous women and thereby improving birth outcomes. </span><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"">Therefore</span><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"">, there is a need to train the companions regarding support to a woman during labour and delivery. Primiparous women also need to be trained during antenatal care education so that they properly understand the roles of a birth companion as opposed to those of the midwives.</span> </p

Perceptions about labor companionship at public teaching hospitals in three Arab countries

“…The present findings show that women's experiences of childbirth without labor companions accentuate their feelings of alienation and fear, and affect the quality of the care provided. Consistent with other studies [8–10,14], women giving birth and their female family members in the present study were vocal about the need for labor companions, pointing to the importance of providing humane care during labor. The failure of the public healthcare facilities to implement best practices in this regard lies in structural barriers and non‐supportive providers’ attitudes, reflecting the need for complex multi‐stage interventions to influence hospital practices and bring about the desired change [19,20].…”

“…Women want a female family member to be present during labor: they have reported feeling lonely, experiencing fear, and sometimes being verbally abused by the staff [2,6,7]. Similar supportive attitudes toward the introduction of labor companionship in hospitals is reported by studies from African countries, highlighting the preference of women to have companions [8,9], even at the expense of rejecting delivery at a health facility [10].…”

Efficacy of companion-integrated childbirth preparation for childbirth fear, self-efficacy, and maternal support in primigravid women in Malawi

“…The World Health Organization (WHO) standards recommend that every pregnant woman should receive psychological support to strengthen her capability of giving birth [10]. Kungwimba et al [14] suggested a need for providing concrete physical, emotional, and informational support to primigravid women before giving birth. Furthermore, a randomized control trial that evaluated the effectiveness of receiving maternal social support from a female companion revealed that women who received the intervention were more satisfied with labor and delivery, and noted that satisfaction during labor was mainly associated with the presence of a birth companion [15].…”

Factors associated with the desire for companionship during labor in a Nigerian community

“…For example, the provision of companionship during labor is reported to have several positive effects, including a reduced requirement for analgesics and a satisfactory experience of labor and delivery . Several studies have found an association between companionship during labor and enhanced maternal and fetal outcomes, as well as improved childbirth experiences …”

“…4 Several studies have found an association between companionship during labor and enhanced maternal and fetal outcomes, as well as improved childbirth experiences. [5][6][7][8][9] Only approximately 36% of all pregnant women in Nigeria deliver in healthcare facilities under skilled supervision; this low rate of utilization of skilled birth attendants underpins the high rates of maternal and neonatal adverse outcomes recorded in this country. 10,11 The practice of companionship during labor in Nigeria could potentially enhance women's experiences of facility-based delivery and improve national statistics regarding maternal and neonatal health.…”