Companionship to modify the clinical birth environment: effects on progress and perceptions of labour, and breastfeeding

Article Abstract:

Although women in labor were once isolated from friends and family, many hospitals now encourage companions, usually male partners, to be present during labor. However, one study showed that first-time fathers provided less support during labor than female labor companions. It was also shown that women provided with continuous support from a female companion during labor had shorter labors and fewer complications than women without female companionship. Social support during pregnancy was shown to improve psychosocial but not physiological factors. In another study, support during childbirth was associated with less need for pain-relieving agents and episiotomy (surgical incision of the outer birth canal to prevent tearing of the tissue during delivery). However, support did not reduce the length of labor or rate of cesarean section. The effects of supportive companionship on labor and adaptation to parenthood were assessed. Support companions were community volunteers without a medical background who were asked to focus on providing pregnant women with comfort, reassurance, and praise. Although supportive companionship did not affect the progress of labor, it reduced blood pressure and the need for pain-relieving agents during labor. Women with support companions during labor felt a greater ability to cope and had less pain and anxiety during labor than women without support companions. In addition, women with support companions during labor were more likely to be breast feeding exclusively at six weeks and to be feeding their infants at flexible intervals. These findings show that companionship during labor may help to promote the self-esteem of laboring women and reduce adverse effects of labor in a clinical environment. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Health aspects, Social aspects, Social networks

---

Postpartum depression and companionship in the clinical birth environment: a randomized, controlled study

Article Abstract:

Companionship during labor may reduce the severity of postpartum depression among women who give birth in the hospital. Postpartum depression can cause feelings of hopelessness, anxiety and despair. Among 189 pregnant women in labor at a community hospital, 92 had a volunteer companion stay with them through labor and delivery and 97 did not. Six weeks after giving birth, women who had a labor companion were less anxious and less depressed than those who did not. Women who had companionship during labor also had higher self-esteem. Some women may have postpartum depression for more than a year after giving birth. More attention needs to be focused on giving women emotional support during labor and delivery in the hospital.

Care and treatment, Postpartum depression, Fellowship

---

Rectal misoprostol in the prevention of postpartum hemorrhage: a placebo-controlled trial

Article Abstract:

Postpartum hemorrhage occurred less often after rectal administration of misoprostol, although the effect was not statistically significant. Fewer side effects were found with rectal administration compared with reports of oral administration. The study involved 550 women in a randomized study with placebos used as controls. Conventional oxytocic agents were given to control excessive bleeding.

Prevention, Hemorrhage, Dosage and administration, Misoprostol, Puerperal disorders

Similar abstracts:

• Abstracts: Confidentiality in health care: a survey of knowledge, perceptions, and attitudes among high school students. The genetics revolution and primary care pediatrics
• Abstracts: How to pick the right computer system for you. Double Entry: MD-PhD programs train physicians to pursue laboratory cures while providing patient care
• Abstracts: Is steroid-induced osteoporosis preventable? Bone mineral density and gene-environment interactions in the search for osteoporosis genes
• Abstracts: Risk factors associated with uterine rupture during trial of labor after cesarean delivery: a case-control study
• Abstracts: Sex, drugs and HIV infection in a New York City hospital outpatient population. A novel detection assay for the early diagnosis of HIV-1 infected infants

This website is not affiliated with document authors or copyright owners. This page is provided for informational purposes only. Unintentional errors are possible.