Birth companion during labour and birth
2019 (English)Independent thesis Advanced level (degree of Master (One Year)), 10 credits / 15 HE credits
Student thesis
Abstract [en]
Background: Having a birth companion during labour and birth to provide mental, emotional support as well as physical support is globally found to be essential for women. The process of giving birth is not only a biological event but also a process with social and emotional aspects. It is a right for every woman to receive evidence-based care during childbirth. There is also a global interest in improving the quality of maternal and newborn care. This includes a strong focus on respectful care as an essential component of quality of care. The aim of this study was to define the concept “Birth companion during labour and birth” through the synthesis of texts from literature and interview data with Bangladeshi health care providers, in an attempt to clarify its meaning, enabling comprehension and use of the concept in clinical practice and education. Methods: The design of this study is a concept analysis that comprises three phases: 1) is a theoretical phase, followed by 2) a field study phase and 3) a synthesis phase. The participants were recruited purposively and invited to the interview with an invitation letter. The interviews were based on semi-structured and open-ended questions following an interview guide. A total of nine participants were enrolled in this study, five midwifery educators, two clinical midwives, and two midwifery students who worked at antenatal care, delivery, postpartum care, menstrual regulation, post abortion care and family planning care or involved in midwifery education. Results: A birth companion supports women during childbirth provide informational support, bridge communication gaps between clinical staff and women, provide practical support and emotional support, act as an advocate for the women, help women feel in control, provide continuous physical presence. Conclusion: The concept “Birth companion during labour and birth” was redefined in the following way: The birth companion can be any person chosen by the woman to provide her with support during labour and childbirth. This support is perceived to be associated with reduced maternal anxiety, it highlights the importance of a birth companion during labour and birth and on the emotional wellbeing of women in the Bangladeshi context. Clinical implications: This paper gives a deep insight to the concept of a birth companion during labour and birth and shows what is, and preferably should be, part of the clinical settings in Bangladesh. Ensuring a birth companion during labour and birth could improve health outcomes of women and give a positive childbirth experience.
Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
2019.
Keywords [en]
Birth companion, Woman in labour, Midwife’s support in childbirth, Bangladesh
National Category
Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:du-31315OAI: oai:DiVA.org:du-31315DiVA, id: diva2:1380304
2019-12-182019-12-18