“…She rubbed my back, wiped my face when sweating, served me tea and called nurses to help me…”: Experience of Care and Support from a Companion During Labour and Delivery among Postnatal Women in Kigoma Tanzania

Abstract

Background

A woman feels secure when she is continuously cared for and supported during childbirth. Birth companion is one of the key recommendations for positive childbirth experiences as it promotes women’s sense of self-control in the labour process. The benefits of a birth companion are well known but not routinely practiced in Tanzania.

Broad Objective

This paper describes the experiences of mothers who had a companion during labour and delivery.

Methodology

An explorative qualitative study was carried out among 12 purposively recruited postnatal mothers at a health centre in Kigoma region. Data were collected using in-depth interviews and analysed by an inductive thematic approach.

Findings

Women commonly chose their family members to be their birth companions who provided them with continuous emotional, physical and practical support and facilitated communication among women, providers and relatives during labour and delivery.

Conclusion and recommendations

The support and care from the birth companions, gave women strength and confidence to cope with the stress of labour throughout the birthing process. Women received continuous care and support from birth companions of their choice who also played a key communication role that facilitated prompt care. Mechanisms are required to ensure birth companionship is integrated into the health system to support women during childbirth.