title: Effects of labor support from close female relative on labor and maternal satisfaction in a Thai setting.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the efficacy of a close female relative providing emotional and physical support during active labor and birth.
  
  
  METHODS
  Randomized, two-group controlled clinical trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  Regional teaching hospital in the eastern part of Thailand with 782 beds.
  
  
  METHODS
  Primiparous women (N = 120) whose gestational ages were ≥ 36 weeks and who had uncomplicated pregnancies.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants were randomly assigned to receive usual care and support from a chosen close female relative from admission until 2 hours after birth or usual care only. Within 24 hours of birth, labor outcomes (length of labor & type of birth) and levels of maternal satisfaction were assessed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Those in the experimental group had a significantly shorter duration of active labor and were more satisfied with their childbirth experiences than those in the control group. Differences between groups with respect to incidence of spontaneous delivery were not found.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A close female relative was effective in providing supportive care during labor and delivery. The integration of this nursing intervention for women and their families at public hospitals in Thailand is supported.
authors: assistant professor in the Faculty of Nursing, Burapha University, Chonburi, Thailand.
authors: Siriwan
authors: S
authors: Yuenyong
authors: professor in the faculty of Nursing, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.. Electronic address: beverley.obrien@ualberta.ca.
authors: Beverley
authors: B
authors: O'Brien
authors: professor in the Faculty of Nursing, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand.
authors: Veena
authors: V
authors: Jirapeet
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D036861:Delivery, Obstetric / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology*; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology; D005195:Family Relations; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D024802:Nurse's Role / Q000523:psychology*; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D010298:Parity; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D018743:Perinatal Care / Q000379:methods*; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D057184:Practice Patterns, Nurses'; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome / Q000523:psychology; D037841:Pregnant People / Q000523:psychology*; D012944:Social Support; D013785:Thailand; D013997:Time Factors