Seasoned maternal health experts have said having husbands, partners, or relatives in the labour room during delivery or a caesarean section can help pregnant women cope with the demands of childbirth.
While skilled birth attendants play a critical role in ensuring safe delivery, the gynaecologists stressed that having a husband, partner, or close relative present during labour and delivery can improve pregnancy outcomes.
According to the experts, a trusted companion can reassure women, reduce anxiety, and encourage them throughout the delivery process.
A Professor of Obstetrics and Genecology at the University of Ibadan, Oyo State, Prof. Chris Aimakhu, explained that the presence of husbands, partners or relatives during labour has become part of modern medical practice worldwide
According to him, the new World Health Organisation Labour Care Guide, which is a new approach to monitoring women in labour, encourages companionship during labour.
He said, “The companion can provide emotional support, often by offering reassurance, reducing fears and anxiety, and helping the mother feel in control.
“The person can also provide physical comfort by assisting with massage, rubbing the woman’s back, helping her change positions, encouraging her, and telling her how to breathe,” he said.
When asked whether the presence of a husband or relative could help prevent alleged cases of disputed sex of babies, stealing of babies, or organ harvesting during CS, the don said:
“The companion is not there to monitor your organ transplant or all that; the person is there to help the woman go through the experience of pregnancy and childbirth,” he said.