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.