It’s just got easier for women to face childbirth. A woman from the family can now accompany them in the labour room in government hospitals. In hospitals where privacy protocols are followed, even the husband can be with the woman, essentially to provide the emotional support.
The directive by the Union ministry of health and family welfare doesn’t allow relatives, particularly men, inside the labour room.
In a release issued on Thursday, the ministry said the innovative move was aimed at reducing maternal mortality ratio (MMR) and infant mortality ratio (IMR).
“While several measures have been taken up by the ministry over the years aimed in reduction in MMR and IMR, this step signifies India’s commitment under sustainable development goals to further accelerate initiatives with specific focus on quality parameters of the interventions,” said JP Nadda, health minister.
While pregnant women may rejoice at the idea, gynaecologists in government hospitals see it as trouble in the making.
“Where is the space,” asked a senior gynaecologist in a Delhigovernment-run hospital. “One bed is at times shared by three women and with one attendant allowed per woman, it is going to be a nuisance,” she said.
“I am not denying the benefits of the idea, but it works well in the western set-up where a lady delivers in isolation with her husband or family for company. It is not feasible in an overcrowded country like India,” she added.
HOW WILL IT HELP
Birth companions are women who have experienced labour and provide continuous one –to-one support to other women in labour. They provide emotional support (continuous reassurance), information about labour progress and advice regarding coping techniques, comfort measures (comforting touch, massages, promoting adequate fluid intake and output), and advocacy (helping the woman articulate her wishes to the other).
The World Health Organization also promotes labour companionship as a core element of care for improving maternal and infant health. A trained birth companion contributes to reduced tension and shortened labour, increased mother’s feelings of control, decreased interventions and caesareans. It also enhances the partner’s participation, improves outcome for the newborn, facilitates parent/infant bonding, and decreases postpartum depression while increasing positive feelings about the birth experience.
Hindusan Times, New Delhi, 26th February 2016
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