Birth Companionship Experiences of Postnatal Mothers During Labour at the Ga East Municipal Hospital

Abstract

Birth companionship, globally, is associated with the presence of a trained professional or layperson, or family members at the bedside of a parturient woman, to coach, empathise with, give practical aid to, and encourage the expectant mother throughout the birthing process. However, customs and ideas from the past continue to affect labour experiences. Therefore, this study aims to explore the experiences of postnatal mothers who had birth companions during labour and delivery at Ga East Municipal Hospital. The study employed a qualitative exploratory descriptive design which was guided by social support during delivery framework by Alexander et al. (2013). Ten postnatal women who had birth companion during labour at Ga East Municipal Hospital were purposively selected and interviewed. Data was gathered using a semi structured interview guide to conduct individual face-to-face audio recorded in-depth interviews. Data was analysed using thematic analysis. Four main themes and ten sub-themes were generated from the data. The main themes are: desire for birth companion, source of desired support, desired type of support, and cultural and practical considerations. The study highlighted how the presence of a birth companion can positively influence the experience of a parturient woman. The findings revealed that the presence of a birth companion during labour was appreciated by the postnatal women who expressed feeling of support emotionally, physically and practically. The support provided by the birth companions made the women less anxious and better able to cope with the demands of childbirth. Participants expressed preference for a trusted companion often a partner, relative or a close friend whose presence provided reassurance and a sense of security. These findings emphasise how birth companionship is integral to a supportive birthing environment, reflecting both universal and context specific maternal care needs. Therefore, the study recommended that healthcare providers should actively encourage birth companionship during labour, integrating it into maternity care practices to enhance a positive maternal experiences and outcomes.