Desire for Birth Companionship Among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Care in Debremarkos City, Northwest Ethiopia: Magnitude and Associated Factors

Women's attitudes, prevalence, related factors, and perceived barriers of birth companionship in Saudi Arabia

BACKGROUND

The World Health Organization recommends companionship as a critical element of respectful maternity care. However, there is paucity of literature regarding women's attitudes, related factors, and barriers of implementation in Saudi Arabia.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to assess women's attitudes toward birth companionship during labor and delivery, related factors, and barriers of implementing labor companionship in Saudi Arabia.

DESIGN/METHODS

This study was carried out in Al Ahsa, Saudi Arabia, using a cross-sectional design. The data collection took place over a period of approximately 6 months, specifically from 16 August 2021 to 20 February 2022. A total of 418 women who had given birth at three governmental hospitals and three private hospitals in Al Ahsa participated in the survey. The study included women between the ages of 18 and 49 years who had delivered during the study period.

RESULTS

The study revealed that while around 82.8% of mothers expressed a desire for companionship during labor, only 43.2% actually had a labor companion present during delivery. The primary obstacle to labor companionship reported by 21.5% of respondents was hospital policies. Other barriers identified included husbands' fear of being present during labor (4.7%) and limited availability of time for companionship (3.8%).

CONCLUSION

The study concludes that birth companionship is highly desired by women in the study area. However, various physical, emotional, and institutional barriers, such as hospital policies and regulations, impede its implementation. Addressing these barriers and promoting supportive policies are essential to facilitate the provision of birth companionship and improve the childbirth experience for women in Al Ahsa.