ABSTRACT
Objective : To determine the awareness and desirability of
pregnant women attending antenatal clinic of University of Ilorin
Teaching Hospital (UITH), Ilorin UITH for companionship in labour
Design: A descriptive cross-sectional study
Setting: The study was conducted at the antenatal clinic in the
department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Ilorin Teaching
Hospital (UITH), Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria.
Population: The study populations were pregnant women who attended
Antenatal Care (ANC) services of the UITH.
Methods: Data was collected through interviewer administered
questionnaire between Jan to March 2022 and data was analyzed with SPPS
IBM version 24
Main Outcome Measure: Awareness and desirability for companionship in
labour. Utilization of companion in labour
Results :
Most of the respondents (57.2%) were aware of companionship in labour.
Majority of the respondents (88.7%) had desire for companionship in
labour though only few of them (18%) had companionship in their
previous deliveries) or knew someone who had it before. All those who
had companionship in their previous deliveries expressed satisfaction
with it.
Most of those who desired to have their delivery at facilities with
provision for companionship in labour (63.7%) would prefer it even at
an additional cost of care.
Conclusion : The findings of this study showed that most of the
respondents were aware of companionship in labour and majority of them
desired it but its utilization is low.
Keywords : companionship, labour, awareness, desirability,
antenatal clinic, Ilorin.
INTRODUCTION
Labour is an intensive, energy-sapping event that mothers undergo in the
course of procreation, and it is associated with emotional,
psychological,and occasional mortality.1,2 A woman’s
emotional well-being in labour determines the extent of her sense of
control. Sense of control in labour has been found to reduce maternal
anxiety during childbirth and ultimately leads to a more positive birth
experience.3-5
Companionship in labour influences positive birth outcomes and a greater
degree of personal control in labour.6 Evidence
indicates that continuous support during labour has several measurable
positive impacts on key birth outcomes.7-10. Social
support in labour has significantly reduced the number of cesarean
sections and operative vaginal deliveries, increased the number of
normal births, a reduction in the use of analgesia, and decreased labour
duration.11
In the past, many parturients laboured in the confines of their homes
where their family members12 supported them. Though in
recent years, spouses and relatives have been allowed into the labour
rooms, a vast number of women still go through labour without
much-needed support.8,12 Companionship by a family
member or a Doula can be in the form of emotional support, advice
regarding coping techniques, comfort measures, promoting adequate fluid
intake and and advocacy.2,4.6
The preferred choice of support for most women during delivery is their
spouse. As such, most women have reported a positive birth experience
with the presence of their spouses.10,13 Spousal
presence during childbirth is instrumental in relieving the distress
associated with uncertainty and anxiety faced by parturients when they
feel physically and psychologically vulnerable.8,13Women’s birth experiences have widespread and long-term implications for
women and their families. Poor experience may contribute significantly
to perinatal mental health problems, including post-traumatic stress
disorder and postnatal depression, which could influence women’s
decisions about future childbearing.11 The prominent
social supporters in developed countries are usually close relatives.
Conversely, in many developing countries like South America and Africa,
companionship during labour is not routine.12
In February 2018, the WHO published a consolidated set of
recommendations on intrapartum care for a positive childbirth experience
(labour care guide).14 The recommendations were that
through effective labour and childbirth practices and avoidance of
ineffective practices, health personnel could support women to achieve
their desired physical, emotional, and psychological outcomes for
themselves, their babies, and their families.15-18Hence the study aimed to determine the awareness and desirability of
pregnant women attending the antenatal clinic in UITH for companionship
in labour.