The Birth Companions' Experience of the Birthing Room and How It Influences the Supportive Role: A Qualitative Study

Aim: To explore birth companions' experience of the birthing room and how it influences their role supporting the woman during labor and birth. Background: Although support from a birth companion positively affects the outcome of labor and birth, limited research explores how the birthing room influences the companion. This study identifies elements of the birthing room essential for the birth companion to offer optimal support to the woman during labor and birth. Methods: Fifteen birth companions were individually interviewed 2 weeks to 6 months after birth using a semi-structured interview guide. Transcribed interviews were analyzed based on reflexive thematic analysis. Results: The findings are captured by one overall theme: creating a supportive birth space in an unfamiliar environment. This creation process is further described by three subthemes: not being in the way, finding one's role, and being close to the birthing woman. Conclusions: The findings illustrate how the birthing room was an unfamiliar environment for the birth companions, but one that they needed in order to give the required support. With slight changes in physical design, the birthing room can become calmer and more private and better help the birth companion fulfill the supportive role.