The Effect of the Continuous Labor Support from a Supportive Companion on the Process and Outcomes of Labor in Primigravida

Different studies have emphasized the psycho-social aspects of delivery, so that these aspects are no less important than medical and midwifery factors. This is a quasi- experimental study, the main objective of which was to evaluate the effects of the continuous labor support from a supportive companiom on the process and outcome of labor in primigravida. 50 women in supported group (case) and 50 without supporative companion (control) were selected. All women were between 18-30 years, and had term pregnancy, single fetus, cephalic presentatation or spontaneous onset of labor without any complications. The supportive companions were students of midwifery. The support consisted of talking, touching, reassurance, soothing, giving encouragement and physical comfort (e.g, helping to change position, keeping lips wet and cooling). The data were analyzed using student t-test, chi-square and Fisher test. The findings showed that the continuous labor support by a companion reduced length of active phase (p<0.01), cesarean section (p=0.026) and increased APGAR score in the first minute (p=0.015) and led to the early onset of breast feeding (p<0.01). Duration of second labor and fifth-minute Apgar were not significantly different in two groups. This study showed that the continuous labor support can result in better outcomes in deliveries.