Association between cesarean section and labor companion in pregnant women giving birth: A prospectivecohort study at Hung Vuong hospital, Vietnam

INTRODUCTION: The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) suggests certain measures to decrease the cesarean section rate, including the use of a labor companion model for pregnant women. The objective of this study is to evaluate and compare cesarean section rates among women with labor companions versus those without, in one of the biggest hospitals in Vietnam. METHODS: A prospective cohort study was conducted on 394 pregnant women at Hung Vuong Hospital, Vietnam, between December 2023 and January 2024. The study participants were recruited into two groups: 197 women who had labor companions and 197 women who did not. Multiple regression analysis, with a 95% confidence level, was applied to investigate the association between labor companionship and cesarean section rates. RESULTS: The rate of cesarean sections was significantly lower in women who had a labor companion, 29.4% compared to 41.6% in those without a companion. The presence of a labor companion was associated with a lower risk of cesarean sections (adjusted risk ratio, ARR=0.65; 95% CI: 0.46-0.91), and it also led to an increased use of obstetric anesthesia (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that the presence of a labor companion is associated with a lower cesarean section, and healthcare providers may consider this during counseling sessions with patients.