Companionship during Labour: Attitudes and Expectations of Hong Kong Chinese

Abstract

Objectives: To assess the attitudes and expectations of Hong Kong women and their partners toward companionship during labour.
Methods: A prospective questionnaire survey was conducted from February to July 2013 in a regional obstetric unit. A total of 450 Hong Kong Chinese women carrying a singleton pregnancy in cephalic presentation at term, and their partners were enrolled. Questionnaires were distributed to the women and their partners when they attended the out-patient clinic or when they were admitted to the antenatal ward.
Results: A total of 315 women and 197 partners completed the self-administered questionnaires, of whom 96% of women and 93% of partners considered emotional support as the major element of companionship during labour. There were significantly more partners than women who considered taking photographs / videos to be one of the elements of companionship during labour. Around 78% of women wished for companionship, while 83% of partners planned to accompany the labour. Among the women who planned for companionship, they were significantly more educated, and a higher proportion were either born in Hong Kong or had been resident for more than 7 years compared with those who did not.
Conclusion: Companionship during labour was highly acceptable among women and partners.