Companion of choice during labour and childbirth for improved quality of care

Efforts to reduce maternal mortality and morbidity have focused on improving provision of and access to facilitybased childbirth and, as a result, institutional births are increasing throughout many lowand middle-income countries. With this increase, emphasis is shifting to improving the quality of care provided during facilitybased childbirth, which is an integral component of improving maternal and newborn health. Allowing and supporting the presence of a woman’s companion of choice during labour and childbirth is an effective intervention that is respectful of women’s autonomy and agency and which can, therefore, be an important aspect of improving quality of care during labour and childbirth (3). Having her chosen companion with her during labour can improve a woman’s experience of childbirth by facilitating her access to emotional and practical support from someone she trusts.