Document Type : Original article
Authors
1
Department of Midwifery and Reproductive Health, Nursing and Midwifery School, Shahrood University of Medical Science, Shahrood, Iran.
2
Department of Nursing, Mashhad Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Mashhad, Iran
3
Department of Midwifery, school of Nursing and Midwifery, Shahroud University of Medical Sciences, Shahroud, Iran
4
Nursing Department, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
10.22038/rcm.2026.91324.1564
Abstract
Background: Several factors play a role in improving birth experience, and it seems presence of a trained companion can play a role in birth process. Despite there is insufficient evidence in this regard among Iranian health system, so this study was conducted to investigate role and effect of a trained companion in birth process.
Methods:This RCT was conducted in 2018 on 60 pregnant mothers referred to Umal-Banin Hospital in Mashhad. Both control group (CG) and intervention group (IG) received eight 90-minute childbirth preparation classes. Additionally, IG recived two joint sessions (companion&mother) and two sessions alone (companion). Before and after training, demographic form, companion, s role and impact researcher-made questionnaire were completed by two groups. Data were analyzed using independent&paired t-test, Fisher's exact, and chi-square tests in SPSS vol.16 software.
Results: The mean age of mothers in IG was 26.7±8.3 and CG was 28.3±5.9.A significant finding was that 83.3% of mothers in the IG, compared to 56.7% in the CG, considered the companion’s presence effective in their choice of delivery mode (Chi-square test,P=0.024). Furthermore, 96.7% of mothers in the IG, versus 66.7% in the CG, reported the companion to be effective in enhancing self-efficacy and expectations of a positive birth outcome (Chi-square test,P=0.003).
Conclusion: Findings indicate that presence of a trained birth companion significantly enhances maternal self-efficacy, improves childbirth experience, and promotes more informed decision-making regarding mode of delivery. As a simple and cost-effective intervention, it holds practical potential for improving maternity care and should be considered in health policy planning.
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