Benefits of the presence of a companion during the process of labor and delivery: integrative review

Abstract

Objective: to analyze the scientific evidence about the benefits of the presence of a companion during labor and delivery. Method: Integrative literature review conducted in April 2018, in the Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences Literature (LILACS), Nursing Database (BDENF), Public Medline (PubMed) and SCOPUS databases, using specific strategies to each database. Fifteen articles were selected for analysis. Results: practices developed by companions that promoted benefits during the process of labor and delivery were evidenced, such as emotional support, strengthened family bonds and change in professional conduct. Conclusion: in order to ensure the evidence-based practice of the beneficial factors it is necessary to expand institutional and professional actions that enable the effective participation of the companion in the process of labor and delivery.

Keywords

• acompanhantes formais em exames físicos
• parto
• família
• enfermagem obstétrica
• saúde da mulher.