Experiences of birth companions as they provide support to labouring women at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital in Blantyre, Southern Malawi

Abstract

Introduction: Malawi embraced the birth companionship concept in the early 2000s. Selected government hospitals, including Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital (QECH) in Blantyre, have been implementing birth companionship. Since its introduction, little has been known about the feelings, views, perceptions, and experiences of the birth companions. This study explored the experiences of birth companions at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital in Blantyre. Methods: This was an exploratory qualitative study that used a sample size of eleven participants who were purposefully selected. In-depth interviews were conducted among purposively selected birth companions that had been with the labouring woman throughout the time of labour up to the time of giving birth. Thematic analysis was used to analyse data. Results: Most birth companions were aged 50 and above, and most of them attended primary education (63.6%), respectively. Birth companions perceived their roles as assisting midwives as well as providing emotional support to women in labour. Birth companions highlighted several negative experiences, including being shouted at by midwives, ignored, and chased away from labour ward. Besides this, the majority of birth companions expected women in labour to abide by their cultural beliefs. Conclusion: Policymakers in Malawi should introduce policies and guidelines for birth companionship that clearly stipulate the roles of birth companions.