Published in:
01-03-2004 | Original Article
Women's attitudes towards psychosocial support in labour in United Arab Emirates
Authors:
Moza Mosallam, Diaa E. E. Rizk, Letha Thomas, Mutairu Ezimokhai
Published in:
Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics
|
Issue 3/2004
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Abstract
Objective.
The objective of this study was to determine women's attitudes and preferences regarding psychosocial support during childbirth in United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Methods.
A consecutive sample of 400 mothers with singleton normal pregnancies delivered vaginally during 2 months was interviewed postpartum about their experience and satisfaction with supportive care during labour using structured questionnaire.
Results.
Birth attendant continuously accompanied 237 (59.3%) participants including mother (59.5%), sister (31.2%), friend (7.2%), other family member (1.3%) or husband (0.8%). Preference in the no-companion group (n=163, 40.7%) was health professional (56.4%), mother (25.8%), sister (16.6%) or husband (1.2%). Labour was significantly shorter (P<0.0001) with less need for analgesia (P<0.0001), oxytocin augmentation (P<0.0001) and neonatal intensive care (P=0.03) in the companion group. Rates of instrumental delivery, episiotomy and perineal tear were similar in both groups. Three hundred and fifty (87.5%) subjects felt that psychosocial support during childbirth is essential and best provided by non-professional attendant (companion group) or midwife/obstetrician (no-companion group). 59.3% and 19.7% of mothers, respectively, reported less satisfaction and negative feelings about their perinatal experience that was more frequent in the no-companion group (P=0.001, P<0.0001; respectively).
Conclusion.
Perceptions, experiences and outcomes of companion support during childbirth in UAE, although relatively less available, are therefore not different from those described elsewhere.