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Women's attitudes towards psychosocial support in labour in United Arab Emirates

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Abstract

Objective.

The objective of this study was to determine women's attitudes and preferences regarding psychosocial support during childbirth in United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Methods.

A consecutive sample of 400 mothers with singleton normal pregnancies delivered vaginally during 2 months was interviewed postpartum about their experience and satisfaction with supportive care during labour using structured questionnaire.

Results.

Birth attendant continuously accompanied 237 (59.3%) participants including mother (59.5%), sister (31.2%), friend (7.2%), other family member (1.3%) or husband (0.8%). Preference in the no-companion group (n=163, 40.7%) was health professional (56.4%), mother (25.8%), sister (16.6%) or husband (1.2%). Labour was significantly shorter (P<0.0001) with less need for analgesia (P<0.0001), oxytocin augmentation (P<0.0001) and neonatal intensive care (P=0.03) in the companion group. Rates of instrumental delivery, episiotomy and perineal tear were similar in both groups. Three hundred and fifty (87.5%) subjects felt that psychosocial support during childbirth is essential and best provided by non-professional attendant (companion group) or midwife/obstetrician (no-companion group). 59.3% and 19.7% of mothers, respectively, reported less satisfaction and negative feelings about their perinatal experience that was more frequent in the no-companion group (P=0.001, P<0.0001; respectively).

Conclusion.

Perceptions, experiences and outcomes of companion support during childbirth in UAE, although relatively less available, are therefore not different from those described elsewhere.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Al-Ain Hospital, United Arab Emirates

    Moza Mosallam

  2. Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, P.O. Box 17666, Al-Ain, United Arab Emirates

    Diaa E. E. Rizk, Letha Thomas & Mutairu Ezimokhai

Authors
  1. Moza Mosallam
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  2. Diaa E. E. Rizk
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  3. Letha Thomas
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  4. Mutairu Ezimokhai
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Correspondence to Diaa E. E. Rizk.

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Mosallam, M., Rizk, D.E.E., Thomas, L. et al. Women's attitudes towards psychosocial support in labour in United Arab Emirates. Arch Gynecol Obstet 269, 181–187 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-002-0448-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-002-0448-7

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