Perceptions towards Birth Companions: A Review Paper

Abstract

The Birth companionanyperson chosen by the pregnant woman according her choice to give continuous support during labour and childbirth. Whom she trust greatly .The person maybe pregnant woman’s husband ,family member ,healthcare provider, community member. The objective of this review paper to assess andexplore perceptions and experiences of pregnant women, health care providers (obstetrics and gynecology specialists, residents, and midwives), female birth companions, volunteer birth companion. The review paper emphasizes birth companionsencourage and support given to pregnant women during labour and child birth and make communication bridge between pregnant women and healthcare team. Birth companions providenon-pharmacologicalmeasure to pregnant mother for pain relief. Acceptance ofa birth companion by healthcare providers one of the cause develop role and responsibilities of birth companion . Birth companions play a very important rolefor witness during disrespectful and abusive behavior to women in labour. Health professionals have knowledge about benefit ofbirth companions. But it is not routine practicedue to lack of adequate space and difficulty to ensure privacy. In this article, more over discuss continuous and effective support to the parturient women,bybirthcompanion is important that she increase their knowledge regarding birth that will help the future another pregnant women ,her family and the health care staff.

Introduction

Pregnancy and childbirth are important events in a woman’s life that can bring both joy and anxiety. To improve maternal health and reduce maternal mortality, global initiatives such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) aim to lower the maternal mortality ratio to less than 70 per 100,000 live births by 2030. One important approach recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) is the use of a birth companion, a person chosen by the mother to provide continuous support during labor and childbirth.

Research shows that birth companions provide emotional, informational, and practical support, helping reduce anxiety, pain, and dissatisfaction during childbirth. Studies and systematic reviews indicate that continuous companionship during labor can improve maternal and neonatal outcomes, reduce the need for medical interventions, and increase women’s satisfaction with their childbirth experience. Birth companions also help bridge communication between pregnant women and healthcare providers.

Several studies found that most women have positive attitudes toward birth companions, often preferring partners, relatives, or volunteers to be present during delivery. Their presence increases women’s confidence, provides comfort, and helps with non-pharmacological pain relief methods such as breathing techniques, massage, and emotional reassurance. However, in some healthcare facilities, birth companionship is not routinely practiced due to issues such as limited space, privacy concerns, and institutional policies.

Overall, the literature highlights that birth companions play a significant role in improving the childbirth experience and quality of maternity care, although greater awareness, supportive policies, and improved healthcare infrastructure are needed to make this practice more widely adopted.

Conclusion

This review focuses on the advantages of birth companionship as chosen by pregnant women during labour and childbirth, and it can be used in low-resource settings. The late antenatalperiod is ideal for educating the primigravid mother and her companion about childbirth.. As a result, primi gravidae must pay more attention during childbirth. In low resource settings.The World HealthOrganization(WHO) has recommended women have a companionduring birth. A companion can be any person chosen by the woman to provide her with continuous support during labor and childbirth for improving labor outcomes and women’s satisfaction with care. Birth companions are recognized as a key element in the WHO vision of quality of care for pregnant women and newborns, yet it is practiced only in some ofthe co-located birth centers the women’s right of birth companionship should be available to all the childbearing women.For women’s rights, health care provider are must help a companion to encourage participation during child birth which improve the quality of care and positive childbirth experience of an expected couple. Pregnant women, health care providers (obstetrics and gynecology specialists, residents, and midwives), female birth companions, volunteer birth companion, every body positive attitude towards birth companion. birth companionship increases vaginal delivery , decreasescaesareandeliveries, decreasesthe need for pain medicationduring labor, and shortens the duration of the second stage of labour.

References

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Copyright

Copyright © 2026 Roy R, Banerjee S, Maity Chandrima. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.