• Busra Demir Cendek, Burak Bayraktar, Elif Karaman, Mine Adam, Kubra Avsar Yaylacı, Caganay Soysal, and Huseyin Levent Keskin.
• Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Republic of Turkey Ministry of Health Ankara Etlik City Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.
• Postgrad Med. 2024 Dec 4: 181-8.

ObjectivesThis study aimed to investigate the impact of having a companion during vaginal birth on postpartum depression and birth satisfaction.MethodsThis prospective cohort study included 220 postpartum women aged 18-45 who delivered vaginally at Ankara Etlik City Hospital between August 2023 and February 2024. During labor, each woman had the option to be accompanied by a companion person (such as a mother, partner or spouse, sibling, or friend) of her choice; those who opted not to have a relative present received the standard support provided by the hospital's routine birth protocol. Participants were divided into three groups based on the type of support received during childbirth: spousal support, support from others (non-spousal support), and no support. Data were collected within six weeks postpartum using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and the Birth Satisfaction Scale-Revised (BSS-R).ResultsWomen supported by their spouses during childbirth had significantly higher BSS-QC (Quality of care provision), BSS-SL (Stress experienced during labor), and BSS-R total scores compared to those without support. BSS-SL scores were particularly higher for those with spousal support versus support from others or no support. Non-spousal support also resulted in higher BSS-QC scores than no support at all. BSS-WA (Women's personal attributes) scores and EPDS scores were similar between the groups. Additionally, no significant differences in BSS-QC, BSS-SL, BSS-WA, and BSS-R total scores were observed between women with high (≥13) and low (<13) EPDS scores, but a negative correlation between EPDS and BSS-R total scores was noted (r=-0.203, p = 0.003).ConclusionWomen receiving spousal support during childbirth reported significantly higher birth satisfaction, particularly in care quality (BSS-QC) and stress management (BSS-SL). The presence of a companion, whether spousal or non-spousal, positively influenced birth satisfaction, though it did not significantly affect postpartum EPDS scores.

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