Health Ministry Allows Birth Companions During Labor in Public Health Facilities

In an effort to reduce Maternal Mortality Rate and Infant Mortality Rate in India, the Union Health Ministry has announced birth companions for expectant mothers at public health facilities.

Birth companions are female relatives experienced in labor issues and childbirth. They offer timely advice on coping techniques and emotional support to pregnant women during delivery.

‘Health Ministry has decided to allow birth companions during delivery in public health facilities, with an aim to reduce Maternal Mortality and Infant Mortality Rate in India.’

Until now, pregnant women are accompanied only by doctors and nurses during labor and no familial persons are allowed inside the delivery room. Lack of support and emotional advice during labor could be a strong reason behind high infant and maternal mortality rates in India.

The presence of a female relative during labor is a low-cost intervention that has proved to be beneficial to women in labor. Therefore, the health ministry has implemented this measure at all public health facilities in the country.

Source: Medindia