| Learning Objective #1: understand the needs of support during labor of the women and families. | |||
| Learning Objective #2: apply research findings for practice and future research. |
Objectives: 1) To explore the opinions of laboring women and their female family members toward having a supportive companion during labor and 2) To examine the support provided during labor and the perceptions of experience as a supportive companion of female family members.
Methods: A random sample of 22 primiparous women and 22 of their female family members who were labor companions was recruited in this study. Data were collected by using open-ended questions and self-report questionnaire.
Findings: Most of the female family members in the study were the women's mothers (54%) and mothers-in-law. Most of the laboring women (90%) and female family members (86%) reported that it was necessary to have a family companion present to provide support for mothers. Emotional and information support were types of support that family companions mostly provided to laboring women (M = 3.12 and M = 3.06 respectively). While the majority of family companions (72%) reported that they felt satisfied with and were happy for their involvement in the childbirth, and some of them (63%) felt anxious during the process of labor and delivery.
Conclusions: Maternity care of public hospitals should recognize the benefits of support during labor and the women's and family's needs of birth companion. Practice should encourage and allow women to bring their support person to the labor ward.