Association between personal birth companion and maternal mental health in low- and middle-income countries: a systematic review.
BMJ OpenSep 30, 2026 (epub)
Waqas Hameed, Bilal Iqbal Avan
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In 30 seconds
This systematic review examined the impact of personal birth companions on maternal mental health during labor and postpartum in low- and middle-income countries. It included 10 studies, revealing that the presence of birth companions, particularly husbands, may positively influence maternal mental health, with anxiety reductions ranging from -0.85% to 120% in experimental studies.
Key findings
- Experimental studies showed maternal anxiety reductions between -0.85% and 120%, with most p values <0.001 favoring the intervention.
- Depressive symptoms showed relative changes of 4.5% and 22.8%, but effects were statistically insignificant.
- One observational study indicated that birth companionship characteristics increased postpartum anxiety and depression odds (2.86, 95% CI 1.52 to 5.39).
Why it matters
Understanding the role of personal birth companions in maternal mental health can inform practices in maternity care, particularly in low- and middle-income settings where support systems may be limited.