BIRTH COMPANION AND RESPECTFUL MATERNAL CARE – AN EXPERIENCE AT TERTIARY CARE CENTRE

Abstract

Background: The promotion of facility based delivery has been at the forefront of the international efforts to reduce maternal mortality, promoting respectful maternal care being recognized as critical element to improve the quality of maternal care. Aim-To explore the contribution of a birth companion during labor and child birth to promote respectful maternal care. Method: This is a descriptive study with qualitative approach involving the experience of 489 women who delivered during November 2019 to February 2020. Results: Mean age was 25.58 years, 48.67% participants were primigravida, in 52.35% cohort birth companion was given by mother-in-law followed by mother( 25.56%). Most common reason for companion was to build their condence (50.5%) followed by better emotional support (46.83%).All participants felt sense of newborn security due to companion. Conclusion: Birth companion generates positive feelings for women and contributes to humanization of delivery thus bringing a respectful and zero defect maternal care.