Birth companion pre-requisites
Q. Which of the following are the pre-requisites for a Birth Companion?
1) Husband of the pregnant woman can be allowed as a birth companion
2) The birth companion has to be a female relative and preferably one who has undergone the process of labor
3) Birth Companion should be ASHA worker
4) She can attend other pregnant women in labor room- Published on 29 Feb 16a. 2, 3
b. 1, 3, 4
c. 1, 2
d. All of the above
ANSWER: 1, 2
- Pre-requisites for a birth companion
1. The birth companion has to be a female relative and preferably one who has undergone the process of labor.
2. In facilities where privacy protocols are followed in the labour room, the husband of the pregnant woman can be allowed as a birth companion.
3. She should not suffer from any communicable diseases.
4. She should wear clean clothes.
5. She should be willing to stay with the pregnant woman throughout the process of labour.
6. She should not interfere in the work of hospital staff and the treatment procedures.
7. She should not attend to other women in the labour room.
- The World Health Organization promotes labor companionship as a core element of care for improving maternal and infant health.
- A trained birth companion contributes to reduced tension and shortened labour, increased mother's feelings of control, decreased interventions and caesareans. It also enhances the partner's participation, improves outcome for the newborn, facilitates parent/infant bonding, and decreases postpartum depression while increasing positive feelings about the birth experience.
