Abstract
Objectives: To study the effect of the presence of a labour companion from the mother’s social network and the effect of giving to the companion an education regarding support to the parturient. Design: This was a comparative trial in a University Obstetric Unit. Sixty women were randomly distributed in two groups who were allowed female companions of their choice, one where the labour companion was given an education (A) and a second where the companion was not given such an education (B). Group C comprised of 30 women who did not have a companion as routinely practiced in our hospital. Perception of control over self during labour was assessed using the validated version of the Labour Agentry Scale (LAS-10) and perinatal events were recorded. Anova test and respective 95% confidence interval were used in statistical analyses. Results: Maternal satisfaction was significantly higher in the group A (Group A: mean = 56.10, Group B = 48.40, Group C = 45.93; p Conclusions: A female labour companion of the mother’s choice has a positive effect on the mother's experience of labour and perinatal events, irrespective of the companion receiving an education. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4038/sljog.v35i4.6584 Sri Lanka Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology 2013; 35: 112-115
Highlights
Continuous nonmedical support during labour has been shown to produce favorable intrapartum, perinatal and neonatal outcomes[1]
A systematic review of 15 randomized controlled trials on continuous support during labor conducted under diverse settings and involving
The review concluded that all women should have continuous support during labour
Summary
Continuous nonmedical support during labour has been shown to produce favorable intrapartum, perinatal and neonatal outcomes[1]. 12,791 women provides robust evidence of these benefits[2]. The review concluded that all women should have continuous support during labour. A person who provides nonmedical emotional, physical and informational support to a woman during and after labour is referred to as a doula. By definition, this term would include members of the woman’s family and social network. The norm is for labouring women to be supported by their male partners and others of their choice. The outcome of support during labour by a male partner remains controversial[4,5]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
