Role of female birth attendants to enhance breastfeeding rates and essential newborn care

Abstract

Background: Women who received support during labor are more likely to give birth “spontaneously.” The role of the female birth attendant (FBA) has not been very well established; hence, this study was planned. Objective: The objective of the study was to train, educate, assess, and evaluate the role of FBA before, during and after labor in terms of mother’s satisfaction, early initiation and continuation of breastfeeding and providing essential newborn care. Methods: In this prospective cohort study, 400 pregnant women, 200 cases and 200 controls in their third trimester were enrolled. FBAs were given training using flipchart. These
newborns were followed up at 1½ month at an immunization clinic. Data were collected and analyzed. Results: 88% (176) of cases initiated breastfeeding in the 1st h of birth compared to 14.5% (29) in controls. 57 (28.5%) of controls had given prelacteal feeds to newborns compared to 7% (14) of cases. 108 (59%) of cases put the baby skin-to-skin contact following delivery compared to none in controls. There was more number of hospital visits in neonates of controls 26.25% (52) compared to cases 12.5% (25). Conclusion: The presence of FBAs improves early initiation of breastfeeding, decreases prelacteal feeds, improves skin-to-skin contact indirectly preventing hypothermia, and decreases the number of hospital visits.