Around the world, childbirth still predominantly takes place in the lithotomy position, despite the recognised benefits of mobility and a variety of positions during labour and childbirth. Furthermore, in low- and middle-income countries, the presence of birth companions in delivery rooms remains uncommon. Yet the right to be accompanied by a person of one’s choice during childbirth is recognised by the WHO as one of the fundamental pillars of every woman’s right to a positive childbirth experience (WHO, 2016, 2018). In addition, continuous support from a birth companion has been shown to improve maternal outcomes.
These resources are the result of an intervention research project conducted in Senegal and Sierra Leone as part of the SANSAS and SHAPE projects, led by Solthis and its partners in the field of sexual, reproductive, maternal and newborn health, with financial support from the French Development Agency (AFD). The research combined exploratory surveys, visits to healthcare facilities, and interviews with midwives, women, families and decision-makers. The content was enriched by field observations and feedback from trained healthcare professionals, as well as from women and their families. The overall aim is to promote respectful childbirth that takes into account women, newborns, families and the physiology of birth.
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