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Background <p>Despite existing evidence supporting birth companionship of choice as a simple, low-cost measure to improve quality of care in childbirth, it is inconsistently practiced in many regions. In Sierra Leone, one of the least safe countries for women to deliver a baby, Princess Christian Maternity Hospital (PCMH) began encouraging companionship of choice for women during childbirth in March 2022. However, little is known about the perspectives of healthcare workers or the perinatal experiences of women and their companions. Our objective was to describe the experiences and perceptions surrounding birth companionship of choice among healthcare workers, women, and their companions.</p> Methods <p>We conducted a qualitative assessment at PCMH in August 2022 through eleven focus group discussions and thirteen in-depth interviews with healthcare workers, women, and their companions. Discussions and interviews were recorded, transcribed, and thematically coded for analysis.</p> Results <p>Women described various means of support from their birth companion and cited trust and the ability to provide expertise as key criteria when choosing a companion. Healthcare workers emphasized that, despite initial hesitation, companionship has been advantageous. However, there were still many challenges for healthcare workers when companions were present in the labor ward, such as maintaining patient privacy. Companions revealed that they were learning about facility-based delivery through companionship and sharing their positive experiences with their community. With a few exceptions, both companions and women reported overall satisfaction with their treatment in the labor ward.</p> Conclusion <p>Findings suggest that birth companionship of choice is a key component of a positive birth experience, improving perceived quality of care and potentially increasing the number of women giving birth in facilities. It also presents many advantages and challenges for healthcare workers. The presence of a birth companion inside the labor ward increases appreciation for facility-based care and potentially alleviates mistrust between the healthcare system and the community.</p>

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“It shows that I belong”: a qualitative study assessing birth companionship of choice in a maternity clinic in Freetown, Sierra Leone

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  • 出版模式：

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  • 发表日期：

    2025年5月27日

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  • Olivia Munson,
  • Joan H. Shepherd,
  • Abubakarr Lewally,
  • Foday Musa Janneh,
  • Stefanie Theuring

摘要

Background

Despite existing evidence supporting birth companionship of choice as a simple, low-cost measure to improve quality of care in childbirth, it is inconsistently practiced in many regions. In Sierra Leone, one of the least safe countries for women to deliver a baby, Princess Christian Maternity Hospital (PCMH) began encouraging companionship of choice for women during childbirth in March 2022. However, little is known about the perspectives of healthcare workers or the perinatal experiences of women and their companions. Our objective was to describe the experiences and perceptions surrounding birth companionship of choice among healthcare workers, women, and their companions.

Methods

We conducted a qualitative assessment at PCMH in August 2022 through eleven focus group discussions and thirteen in-depth interviews with healthcare workers, women, and their companions. Discussions and interviews were recorded, transcribed, and thematically coded for analysis.

Results

Women described various means of support from their birth companion and cited trust and the ability to provide expertise as key criteria when choosing a companion. Healthcare workers emphasized that, despite initial hesitation, companionship has been advantageous. However, there were still many challenges for healthcare workers when companions were present in the labor ward, such as maintaining patient privacy. Companions revealed that they were learning about facility-based delivery through companionship and sharing their positive experiences with their community. With a few exceptions, both companions and women reported overall satisfaction with their treatment in the labor ward.

Conclusion

Findings suggest that birth companionship of choice is a key component of a positive birth experience, improving perceived quality of care and potentially increasing the number of women giving birth in facilities. It also presents many advantages and challenges for healthcare workers. The presence of a birth companion inside the labor ward increases appreciation for facility-based care and potentially alleviates mistrust between the healthcare system and the community.