Evans Kerry, Pallotti Phoebe, Spiby Helen, Evans Catrin, Eldridge Jeanette
Division of Midwifery, School of Health Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK.
School of Health Sciences, Queens Medical Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK.
Birth. 2023 Dec;50(4):689-710. doi: 10.1111/birt.12736. Epub 2023 Aug 18.
Birth companions can have a positive effect on women's experiences in labor. However, companions can feel unprepared and need professional guidance to help them feel involved and provide effective support.
A convergent segregated mixed-methods systematic review was conducted to explore women's, companions', and midwives' experiences of birth companion support and identify ways to improve the experience for women and companions. A thematic synthesis of qualitative data and a narrative summary of quantitative data were conducted followed by integration of the findings.
Companions who cope well in labor reported feeling involved, able to preserve women's internal focus and have a defined role, providing physical or emotional support. LBGTQ+ partners faced barriers to inclusion due to "forefronting" of their sexuality by staff and a lack of recognition in the language and processes used. The experience of birth companions can be enhanced by promoting their role as co-parent, guardian, and coach, provision of timely information and developing a trusting relationship with care providers. Only two papers reported midwives' views on birth companions in labor.
Women's and companions' satisfaction with birth is increased when companions can support the mother, feel supported themselves, and valued as a co-parent. The midwives' role in information provision and guidance can maximize birth companions' experience and ability to provide positive support. LBGTQ+ families need more support to feel included and recognized.
分娩陪伴者对女性的分娩体验可产生积极影响。然而，陪伴者可能会感到准备不足，需要专业指导以帮助他们融入其中并提供有效支持。
开展了一项聚合性隔离混合方法系统评价，以探究女性、陪伴者及助产士对分娩陪伴支持的体验，并确定改善女性和陪伴者体验的方法。对定性数据进行了主题综合分析，对定量数据进行了叙述性总结，随后整合了研究结果。
在分娩过程中应对良好的陪伴者表示，他们感觉自己融入其中，能够保持女性的内在专注，有明确的角色，并能提供身体或情感支持。由于工作人员“突出”其性取向以及在所用语言和流程中缺乏认可， LGBTQ+伴侣面临融入障碍。通过提升陪伴者作为共同父母、监护人及指导者的角色、提供及时信息以及与护理人员建立信任关系，可以增强分娩陪伴者的体验。只有两篇论文报告了助产士对分娩陪伴者的看法。
当陪伴者能够支持母亲、自身感到得到支持并被视为共同父母而受到重视时，女性和陪伴者对分娩的满意度会提高。助产士在提供信息和指导方面的作用可以最大限度地提升分娩陪伴者的体验及提供积极支持的能力。LGBTQ+家庭需要更多支持以感到被接纳和认可。
