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Effects of Female Relative Support In Labor: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Author(s) -
Madi Banyana Cecilia,
Sandall Jane,
Bennett Ruth,
MacLeod Christina
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
birth
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.233
H-Index - 83
eISSN - 1523-536X
pISSN - 0730-7659
DOI - 10.1046/j.1523-536x.1999.00004.x
Subject(s) - randomized controlled trial , psychology , medicine
Background: This study was a randomized controlled trial of primigravidas in Botswana to determine the effectiveness of the presence of a female relative as a labor companion on labor outcomes. Methods: One hundred and nine primigravidas in uncomplicated spontaneous labor were randomly distributed into a control group who labored without family members present, and an experimental group who had a female relative with them during labor. Results: Significantly more mothers in the experimental group had a spontaneous vaginal delivery (91% vs 71%), less intrapartum analgesia (53% vs 73%), less oxytocin (13% vs 30%), fewer amniotomies to augment labor (30% vs 54%), fewer vacuum extractions (4% vs 16%), and fewer cesarean sections (6% vs 13%) than in the control group. These differences were all significant at p < 0.05. Epidural analgesia was not used in the hospital at the time of the study. The only analgesics used were intramuscular pethidine or hyoscine N‐butylbromide (Buscopan). Conclusions: The presence in labor of a female relative was shown to be associated with fewer interventions and a higher frequency of normal delivery compared with the outcomes of those without family member support. The presence of a female relative as a labor companion is a low‐cost, preventative intervention that is consistent with the traditional cultural practices in Botswana. In the light of this and previous studies, all women giving birth in a hospital should be offered the choice of a female relative as a companion to give support during labor.