SynthesisBMJ open2026
Association between personal birth companion and maternal mental health in low- and middle-income countries: a systematic review.
Synthesis in BMJ open, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
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Who cites it
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Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
2 authors.
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No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
objectivesTo examine the relationship between personal birth companions and maternal mental health during labour and the postpartum period in low- and middle-income countries.
designSystematic review using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) reporting guidelines. DATA SOURCES: We performed a systematic search of Embase, Medline, PsycINFO, Global Health and Scopus from inception to 24 September 2024. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA: Peer-reviewed studies-either observational or experimental-that reported an association between personal birth companions and maternal mental health were included. DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS: Data were extracted using a structured template and Joanna Briggs Institute tools were used for quality assessment. Due to heterogeneity across studies, a narrative synthesis was conducted.
resultsOur review included 10 studies (6 observational, 4 experimental) conducted across seven countries, primarily in South Asia. Overall, we found promising evidence from experimental studies-conducted primarily on primigravida women and those with uncomplicated pregnancies-that the presence of birth companions from personal networks (particularly husbands) positively affects maternal mental health. The relative change in maternal anxiety between intervention and control groups ranged from -0.85% to 120% with most p values <0.001 favouring the intervention effect, while for depressive symptoms the relative changes were 4.5% and 22.8% with statistically insignificant effects. However, with the exception of two studies, none of the observational studies showed a statistically significant relationship, although the direction of effect supported a positive association. One observational study also found that characteristics of birth companionship (ie, type and level of support) increased the odds of postpartum anxiety and depression (2.86 (95% CI 1.52 to 5.39)).
conclusionsOur review indicates promising evidence that birth companions from a woman's personal network may have a positive effect on maternal mental health and well-being, especially for nulliparous women and those with uncomplicated pregnancies. However, there is a dire need for more rigorous experimental research across countries in different regions and income strata.
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