Midwives' Perception Towards Male Partners' Involvement in Labour Companionship: A Qualitative Study

TL;DR

This study explores midwives' views on male partners being involved in labor support and finds gaps in understanding and leadership issues that hinder progress.

Contribution

The study provides novel insights into midwives' perceptions and institutional barriers to male partner involvement in labor companionship in low- and middle-income countries.

Findings

Midwives lack understanding of the importance of male partner involvement in labor companionship.

Hierarchical leadership styles in healthcare facilities act as a barrier to midwives' participation in decision-making.

The study identifies facilitators and barriers that can inform policy and training in midwifery.

Abstract

Labour companionship is a recommendation by WHO that health authorities enable women to choose a companion during labour to ensure a safe and dignified labour experience for the birthing woman. However, most healthcare facilities in low‐ and middle‐income countries do not necessarily consider this maternal need, which hampers a positive maternal experience during labour.

This study aims to examine midwives' perception towards the involvement of male partners in labour companionship.

An exploratory phenomenological approach was chosen and semi‐structured interviews were used for this study.

The four main themes identified in this study include ‘Understanding of male partners' involvement in labour companionship’, ‘Involvement of midwives in decision‐making’, ‘Barriers to male partners' involvement in labour companionship’ and ‘Facilitators of male partners' involvement in labour companionship’.

This study found a lack of understanding among midwives of the significance of male partners' involvement in labour companionship; and the identification of hierarchical and authoritarian leadership as a barrier to midwives' participation in decision‐making highlights the need for transformational leadership styles to empower midwives. Overall, the findings of this study can inform maternity care policy as well as resource development, education and professional training in the field of midwifery.

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