Inclusion of a companion in the operating room for cesarean delivery: a synthesis of evidence
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.15343/0104-7809.202650e18272025PKeywords:
Companion, Cesarean Section, Guidance, Humanized ChildbirthAbstract
The companion of the pregnant woman is the person chosen by the woman to remain by her side throughout the entire childbirth process. The objective of this study was to synthesize the evidence addressing recommendations for companions present in the operating room during cesarean delivery. This is a systematic review that followed the guidelines established by the instrument “Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses” (PRISMA) and sought to answer the question: “What is the current state of the art regarding recommendations for including companions of women in labor during cesarean section?”. The review retrieved 236 publications and included 21 of them. The most prevalent profile of companions present during cesarean delivery was that of an adult individual, male, the baby’s father, the woman’s partner, and with completed secondary education. One of the main recommendations directed to companions was to attend educational activities offered during prenatal care, in order to acquire knowledge about the parturition process, including the use of non-pharmacological techniques for pain relief. The reviewed literature indicates that companions should participate in educational activities during prenatal care, an approach that improves maternal experience and contributes to the humanization of childbirth. The integration of companions in cesarean delivery requires the implementation of institutional protocols, training for healthcare professionals, and structural adaptations of health services.
Downloads
Translations of this article
References
Brasil. Ministério da Saúde. Secretaria de Atenção à Saúde. Núcleo Técnico da política Nacional de Humanização. Humaniza SUS. Visita aberta e direito ao acompanhante. 2ª Edição. Série B. Textos Básicos de Saúde. Brasília (DF). / Ministério da Saúde, Secretaria de Atenção à Saúde, Núcleo Técnico da Política Nacional de Humanização. Brasília, 2007. [acesso em 15 de março de 2026]. Disponível em: https://bvsms.saude.gov.br/bvs/publicacoes/visita_acompanhante_2ed.pdf
Brasil. Presidência da República. Lei No 11.108, de 07 de abril de 2005. Altera a Lei no 8.080, de 19 de setembro de 1990, para garantir às parturientes o direito à presença de acompanhante durante o trabalho de parto, parto e pós-parto imediato, no âmbito do Sistema Único de Saúde - SUS. Diário Oficial da União, de 08 de abril de 2005. Disponível em: https://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/_ato2004-2006/2005/lei/l11108.htm
Burlingame BL. FGI Guidelines Update Series #3 September 15, 2014 Operating Room Requirements for 2014 and Beyond. {acessado em 15 de março de 2026]. Disponível em: https://www.fgiguidelines.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/FGI_Update_ORs_140915.pdf
Joseph A, Bayramzadeh S, Zamani Z, Rostenberg B. Safety, Performance, and Satisfaction Outcomes in the Operating Room: A Literature Review. HERD. 2018; 11(2):137-150. https://doi.org/10.1177/1937586717705107
Popay J et al. Guidance on the conduct of narrative synthesis in systematic reviews. [acessado em 15 de março de 2026]. Disponível em: https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/Guidance-on-the-Conduct-of-Narrative-Synthesis-in-A-Popay-Roberts/ed8b23836338f6fdea0cc55e161b0fc5805f9e27
Liberati A, et al. The PRISMA statement for reporting systematic reviews and meta-analyses of studies that evaluate health care interventions: explanation and elaboration. Ann Intern Med 2009; 151: W65-W94. https://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-151-4-200908180-00136
Landis JR, Koch GG. The measurement of agreement for categorical data. Biometrics. 1977; 33(1):159–74.
Hong QN, et al. Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT) [internet] – Version 2018 – User guide. [acessado em 15 de março de 2026] Disponível em: http:// mixedmethodsappraisaltoolpublic.pbworks.com/.
Batista BD, Bruggemann OM, Junges CF, Velho MB, Costa R. Fatores associados à satisfação do acompanhante com o cuidado prestado à parturiente. Cogitare Enferm. 2017; 22(3). e51355. http://dx.doi.org/10.5380/ce.v22i3.51355
Quadros CB, et al. Ausência de acompanhamento familiar e fatores associados nos partos da zona urbana de uma cidade do sul do Brasil: fato ou ficção? Rev Bras Epidemiol [Internet]. 2023; 26: e230053. https://doi.org/10.1590/1980-549720230053.2.
Younes RI, Mohamad SE, Salama NS, Heeba MF. Supportive care provided by companion during childbirth and its effect on labor progress and maternal satisfaction. Port Said Sci J Nurs. 2020; 7(3): 218-243. https://doi.org/10.21608/pssjn.2020.48535.1059
Zanardo V, Angelini S, Ajao ST, et al. First-time fathers’ coping strategies at elective cesarean delivery: A quantitative study. Early Hum Dev. 2020; 143: 104969. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2020.104969
Alwahaibi N, Alajaimi F, Alhabsi H, Alkalbani A, Aljulandani R. Women’s preferences, impacts, and satisfaction with companion support during labour and delivery experiences in Oman. Front Glob Womens Health. 2025; 6: 1524270. https://doi.org/10.3389/fgwh.2025.1524270
Diniz CSG, et al. Implementação da presença de acompanhantes durante a internação para o parto: dados da pesquisa nacional Nascer no Brasil. Cad Saúde Pública. 2014; 30: S140-53. https://doi.org/10.1590/0102-311X00127013.
Figueiredo MS, Oliveira DKMA, Vieira NRS, Davim RMB, Silva RAR. Possíveis indicadores da assistência obstétrica a parturiente em uma maternidade escola. Cogitare Enferm [Internet]. 2013 Dec 30 [cited 2025 Feb 7];18(4). Disponível em: https://revistas.ufpr.br/cogitare/article/view/34928.
Junges CF, Brüggemann OM, Knobel R, Costa R. Support actions undertaken for the woman by companions in public maternity hospitals. Rev Latino-Am Enfermagem [Internet]. 2018;26:e2994. https://doi.org/10.1590/1518-8345.2251.2994.
Nieto-Calvache AJ, Hidalgo A, Maya J, Sánchez B, Blanco LF, Sinisterra-Díaz SE, et al. Is there a place for family-centered cesarean delivery during Placenta Accreta Spectrum Treatment?. Rev Bras Ginecol Obstet [Internet]. 2022 Oct;44(10):925-9. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0042-1751060.
Almeida AF, Brüggemann OM, Costa R, Junges CF. Separação da mulher e seu acompanhante no nascimento por cesárea: uma violação de direito. Cogitare Enferm. 2018; 23(2): e53108. https://doi.org/10.5380/ce.v23i1.53108
Alves MC, Brüggemann OM, Bampi RR, Godinho VG. The support of the companion choosen by the pregnant mother in a maternity school. Rev Pesq Cuid Fundam Online. 2013;5(3):153. https://doi.org/10.9789/2175-5361.2013v5i3.153-164.
Brüggemann OM, Ebele RR, Ebsen ES, Batista BD. No parto vaginal e na cesariana acompanhante não entra: discursos de enfermeiras e diretores técnicos. Rev Gaúcha Enferm [Internet]. 2015;36(spe):152–8. https://doi.org/10.1590/1983-1447.2015.esp.53019.
Johansson M, Hildingsson I, Fenwick J. Important factors working to mediate Swedish fathers’ experiences of a caesarean section. Midwifery. 2013; 29(9):1041-9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.midw.2012.09.009
Machado VA, Izidoro TA, Elias A. Cesarean deliveries on the scene: humanized nursing care. Rev. Assoc. Méd. Rio Gd. do Sul. 2022; 66(1): 310-314.
Maziero CP, Zani AV, Bernardy CCF, Pontes GM, Lago MTG, Pinto KRTF. A não presença do acompanhante no parto: visão dos profissionais da saúde. Rev Pesqui (Univ Fed Estado Rio J, Online) [Internet]. 2021 May 1 [cited 2025 Feb 5];12:531-6. Available from: https://seer.unirio.br/cuidadofundamental/article/ view/8627.
Mazzetto FMC, Mattos TB, Siqueira FPC, Ferreira MLSM. Presence of a companion from the perspective of the woman during labor, delivery, and postpartum. J Nurs UFPE on line. 2022;16:e252582. doi:10.5205/1981-8963.2022.252582.
Muhandule CJLS, Benetti CMS, Fogulin LB, Bento SF, Amaral E. Caesarean delivery on maternal request: the perspective of the postpartum women. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 2024; 24(1): 257. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-024-06464-5
Rungreangkulkij S, et al. Factors influencing the implementation of labour companionship: formative qualitative research in Thailand. BMJ Open. 2022; 12(5): e054946. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2021-054946
Summerton JV, Mtileni TR, Moshabela ME. Experiences and perceptions of birth companions supporting women in labour at a District Hospital in Limpopo, South Africa. Curationis [Internet]. 2021 [cited 2025 Feb 23]; 44(1): e1-e7. https://doi.org/10.4102/curationis.v44i1.2186
Yaya Bocoum F, et al. Women’s and health providers’ perceptions of companionship during labor and childbirth: a formative study for the implementation of WHO companionship model in Burkina Faso. Reprod Health. 2023; 20(1):46. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12978-023-01597-w
Kabakian-Khasholian T, Bashour H, El-Nemer A, Kharouf M, Elsheikh O; Labour Companionship Study Group. Implementation of a labour companionship model in three public hospitals in Arab middle-income countries. Acta Paediatr. 2018; 107 Suppl 471: 35-43. https://doi.org/10.1111/apa.14540
Brasil. Ministério da Saúde. Departamento de Informática do Sistema Único de Saúde. DATASUS – Sistema de Informação sobre Nascidos Vivos – SINASC. Acessado em 01/06/2025. Disponível em: https://datasus.saude.gov.br/informacoes-de-saude-tabnet/
Ribeiro CR, Gomes R, Moreira MCN. Encontros e desencontros entre a saúde do homem, a promoção da paternidade participativa e a saúde sexual e reprodutiva na atenção básica. Physis [Internet]. 2017; 27(1):41–60. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0103-73312017000100003
Lyra J, Medrado B, Campos DS, Fonseca VN, Nascimento M. A implementação da Política de Saúde do Homem no estado do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil: desafios e perspectivas. Interface (Botucatu). 2025; 29 (Supl. 1): e240373. https://doi.org/10.1590/interface.240373
Paiz JC, Souto AS, Martins ACM, Ahne SMS, Baréa M, Giugliani C. Violência obstétrica: entre a percepção das mulheres e as práticas de assistência ao parto. Rev Bras Med Fam Comunidade [Internet]. 2024 Nov 28 [citado 2025 Feb 4]; 19(46): 3852. https://doi.org/10.5712/rbmfc19(46)3852
Leal MC, et al. Avanços na assistência ao parto no Brasil: resultados preliminares de dois estudos avaliativos. Cad Saúde Pública [Internet]. 2019;35(7): e00223018. https://doi.org/10.1590/0102-311X00223018
Weeks F, Pantoja L, Ortiz J, Foster J, Cavada G, Binfa L. Labor and birth care satisfaction associated with medical interventions and accompaniment during labor among Chilean women. J Midwifery Womens Health. 2017; 62(2): 196–203. https://doi.org/10.1111/jmwh.12499
Dornelas ACVR, et al. Abuse, disrespect and mistreatment during childbirth care: contribution of the Ribeirão Preto cohorts, Brazil. Ciênc Saúde Coletiva [Internet]. 2022 Feb; 27(2):535–44. https://doi.org/10.1590/1413-81232022272.01672021
Gadappa SN, Deshpande SS. A quasi-experimental study to compare the effect of respectful maternity care using intrapartum birth companion of her choice on maternal and newborn outcome in tertiary care centre. J Obstet Gynaecol India. 2021;71(Suppl 2):84–9. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13224-021-01587-7
Ayres LFA, Cnossen RE, Passos CM, Lima VD, Prado MRMC, Beirigo BA. Fatores associados ao contato pele a pele imediato em uma maternidade. Esc Anna Nery [Internet]. 2021; 25(2): e20200116. https://doi.org/10.1590/2177-9465-EAN-2020-0116
Pedraza DF. Assistência ao pré-natal, parto e pós-parto no município de Campina Grande, Paraíba. Cad Saúde Colet [Internet]. 2016; 24(4): 460–7. https:// doi.org/10.1590/1414-462X201600040092
Brasil. Portaria GM/MS nº 5.350, de 12 de setembro de 2024. Altera a Portaria de Consolidação GM/MS nº 3, de 28 de setembro de 2017, para dispor sobre a Rede Alyne. Diário Oficial da União: Seção 1; 2024 set 13: p. 90. Ministério da Saúde. Disponível em: https://bvsms.saude.gov.br/bvs/saudelegis/gm/2024/ prt5350_13_09_2024.html
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 O Mundo da Saúde
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
