Effect of the presence of support person and routine intervention for women during childbirth in Isfahan, Iran: A randomized controlled trial

Authors

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran

Abstract

Background: The aim of this study was to examine the effects of the presence of continuous support person and routine interventions during labor and delivery in Isfahan, Iran.
Materials and Methods: One hundred pregnant women in spontaneous labor were assessed in four groups: Group 1; received routine intervention with a support person, Group 2; received routine intervention without support person, Group 3; received support person without routine intervention, Group 4; did not receive routine intervention or a support person. Sociodemographic, antenatal characteristics, length of stage of labor, instrumental delivery, the cervical laceration, perineal tear, labor pain, satisfaction and Apgar score collected and analyzed.
Results: Based on the results there was no significant difference in regard to maternal age, BMI, maternal education and working statutes among the studied groups (P-value >0.05). Also, 1 and 5-min Apgar <7, cervical lacerations and instrumental delivery among studied groups were similar (P-value >0.05). Length of first and second stage of labor, perineal tear, satisfaction score and pain before and after labor were significant among studied groups (P-value <0.05).
Conclusions: Presence of a support person and routine intervention during labor did not effect on incidence of cervical lacerations, instrumental delivery and Apgar <7. Labor pain and women's dissatisfaction, and number women with third and fourth degree of perineal tear among women who received routine intervention were increased compare to others. Interventions makes decreased the length of first and second stage of labor. In totally, the presence of a support person during labor in Iranian women decrease length of labor and improved labor outcomes.

Keywords

1. Oboro VO, Oyeniran AO, Akinola SE, Isawumi AI. Attitudes of Nigerian women toward the presence of their husband or partner as a support person during labor. Int J Gynaecol Obstet 2011;112:56-8.  Back to cited text no. 1
    
2. Shahshahan Z, Hashemi M. Crown-rump length discordance in twins in the first trimester and its correlation with perinatal complications. J Res Med Sci 2011;16:1224-7.  Back to cited text no. 2
[PUBMED]  Medknow Journal  
3. Chunuan S, Somsap Y, Pinjaroen S, Thitimapong S, Nangham S, Ongpalanupat F. Effect of the presence of family members, during the first stage of labor, on childbirth Outcomes in a Province Hospital in Songkhla Province, Thailand. Thai J Nurs Res 2009;13:16-27.  Back to cited text no. 3
    
4. Campero L, Garcia C, Diaz C, Ortiz O, Reynoso S, Langer A. "Alone, I wouldn't haveknown what to do": A qualitative study on social support during labor and delivery in Mexico. Soc Sci Med 1998;47:395-403.  Back to cited text no. 4
    
5. Green JM, Baston HA. Feeling in control during labour: Concepts, correlates and consequences. Birth 2003;30:235-47.  Back to cited text no. 5
    
6. Namey EE, Drapkin LA. The meaning of control for childbearing women in the US. Soc Sci Med 2010;71:769-76.  Back to cited text no. 6
    
7. Hodnett ED, Gates S, Hofmeyr GJ, Sakala C. Continuous support for women during childbirth. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2007;CD003766.  Back to cited text no. 7
    
8. Bakhta Y, Lee RH. A survey of Russian women regarding the presence of a companion during labor. Int J Gynecol Obstet 2010;109:201-3.  Back to cited text no. 8
    
9. Brailey S. A Swiss birthing centre. Pract Midwife 2008;11:27-8.   Back to cited text no. 9
    
10. Kaz´mierczak W, Fiegler P, Wegrzyn P, Cholewa D. The role of a family delivery in the modern obstetrics. Wiad Lek 2006;59:317-20.  Back to cited text no. 10
    
11. Buck L. On labor support and doulas. AWHONN Lifelines 2006;10:279.  Back to cited text no. 11
    
12. Chunuan S, Somsap Y, Pinjaroen S, Thitimapong S, Nangham S, Ongpalanupat F. Effect of the presence of family members, during the first stage of labor, on childbirth Outcomes in a Province Hospital in Songkhla Province, Thailand. Thai J Nurs Res 2009;13:16-27.  Back to cited text no. 12
    
13. Green JM, Baston HA. Feeling in control during labour: Concepts, correlates and consequences. Birth 2003;30:235-47.  Back to cited text no. 13
    
14. Hodnett ED, Gates S, Hofmeyr GJ, Sakala C, Weston J. Continuous support for women during childbirth. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2011;2:CD003766.  Back to cited text no. 14
    
15. Campero L, García C, Díaz C, Ortiz O, Reynoso S, Langer A. "Alone, I wouldn't have known what to do": A qualitative study on social support during labor and delivery in Mexico. Soc Sci Med 1998;47:395-403.  Back to cited text no. 15
    
16. World Health Organization. Integrated management of pregnancy and childbirth. WHO recommended interventions for improving maternal and newborn health. Geneva: WHO Press; 2009.  Back to cited text no. 16
    
17. Campbell D, Scott KD, Klaus MH, Falk M. Female relatives or friends trained as labor doulas: Outcomes at 6 to 8 weeks postpartum. Birth 2007;34:220-7.  Back to cited text no. 17
    
18. Kuczkowski KM. Female companionship during labor: A crucial resource in times of stress. J Midwifery Womens Health 2004;49:552.  Back to cited text no. 18
    
19. Pascali Bonaro D, Kroeger M. Continuous female companionship during childbirth: A crucial resource in times of stress or calm. J Midwifery Womens Health 2004;49(4 Suppl 1):19-27.  Back to cited text no. 19
    
20. Swiatkowska-Freund M, Kawiak D, Preis K. Advantages of father's assistance at the delivery. Ginekol Pol 2007;78:476-8.  Back to cited text no. 20
    
21. Berg M, Terstad A. Swedish women's experiences of doula support during childbirth. Midwifery 2006;22:330-8.  Back to cited text no. 21
    
22. Campbell DA, Lake MF, Falk M, Backstrand JR. A randomized control trial of continuous support in labor by a lay doula. J Obstet Gynecol Neonatal Nurs 2006;35:456-64.  Back to cited text no. 22
    
23. Maimbolwa MC, Sikazwe N, Yamba B, Diwan V, Ransjö Arvidson AB. Views on involving a social support person during labor in Zambian maternities. J Midwifery Womens Health 2001;46:226-34.  Back to cited text no. 23
    
24. Madi BC, Sandall J, Bennett R, MacLeod C. Effects of female relative support in labor: A randomized controlled trial. Birth 1999;26:4-8.  Back to cited text no. 24
    
25. Price S, Noseworthy J, Thornton J. Women's experience with social presence during childbirth. MCN Am J Matern Child Nurs 2007;32:184-91.  Back to cited text no. 25
    
26. Modarres Nejad V. Couples' attitudes to the husband's presence in the delivery room during childbirth. East Mediterr Health J 2005;11:828-34.  Back to cited text no. 26
    
27. Kashanian M, Javadi F, Haghighi MM. Effect of continuous support during labor on duration of labor and rate of cesarean delivery. Int J Gynaecol Obstet 2010;109:198-200.   Back to cited text no. 27
    
28. Bruggemann OM, Parpinelli MA, Osis MJ, Cecatti JG, Neto AS. Support to woman by a companion of her choice during childbirth: A randomized controlled trial. Reprod Health 2007;4:5.  Back to cited text no. 28
    
29. Sapkota S, Kobayashi T, Kakehashi M, Baral G, Yoshida I. In the Nepalese context, can a husband's attendance during childbirth help his wife feel more in control of labour? BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 2012;12:49.  Back to cited text no. 29
    
30. Christiaens W, Verhaeghe M, Bracke P. Pain acceptance and personal control in pain relief in two maternity care models: A cross-national comparison of Belgium and the Netherlands. BMC Health Serv Res 2010;10:268-79.  Back to cited text no. 30
    
31. Hodnett ED. Pain and women's satisfaction with the experience of childbirth: A systematic review. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2002;186:S160-72.  Back to cited text no. 31