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A labour of love and emotional support
View(s):- In a first for a multidisciplinary hospital, Kalubowila introduces female companions in the labour room
By Kumudini Hettiarachchi
It would forever be a memorable Mothers’ Day for Anuththara Hansani!
Anuththara Hansani, the first to have her mother as a labour companion at the Kalubowila Hospital
Awaiting the birth of her first child – she knew it is a baby girl when we met her – in a few hours on May 12, she had the comfort of knowing that her own mother would hold her hand during labour and ease her furrowed brow as the painful contractions hit.
“Amma inna eka loku haiyak(Having my mother would be a great strength),” said Anuththara from Moratuwa, reminding us of a poet’s words: “When pain and anguish wring the brow, a ministering angel thou.”
Priyangika Damayanthi “happy” to be by Anuththara’s side during labour
Priyangika Damayanthi, meanwhile, is happy to be “there” for Anuththara. All smiles, she says that her granddaughter would be born on her own birthday as she has turned a milestone 50 years that day.
While mother-grandmother and daughter-expectant mother await to move into the Labour Room on the first floor, we are ushered into the seventh floor W.D. Gunawardane auditorium of the Colombo South Teaching Hospital, Kalubowila.
It is the launch of the ‘Maathru Saheli’ Programme under the theme Respectful Maternity Care by the Kalubowila Hospital’s Professorial Unit in Obstetrics and Gynaecology amidst a distinguished gathering on Sunday.
Dr. Chithramalee de Silva addressing the gathering
What is new, the Sunday Timesasks one of the initiators of the programme, Consultant Obstetrician & Gynaecologist, Prof. Ajith Fernando, for the De Soysa Hospital for Women (DMH) back in 2012 introduced female companions in the labour room under the guidance of Prof. Hemantha Senanayake, then Head of the Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo, while more recently, the Castle Street Hospital for Women allowed husbands to be present during deliveries.
Prof. Ajith Fernando addressing the gathering
The main difference is that those two hospitals are dedicated women’s hospitals, while the Kalubowila Hospital is a multidisciplinary hospital and it is a first in the latter, reiterated Prof. Fernando, explaining that they want this trend to catch on in all hospitals across the country.
“The support of either the expectant mother’s own mother or a female relative or friend during labour in a normal delivery, enhances the birthing experience through emotional encouragement and companionship” he said, stressing that women who have had positive experiences in labour are of strength to a new mother going into labour.
Dr. Sarath Akmeemana addressing the gathering
Prof. Fernando said that this is while it is not feasible for the husband to be with his wife during labour, firstly because in state hospitals the labour room has many beds and even though partitioned by curtains there could be privacy issue, while the husband has also never experienced labour pains.
The Kalubowila Professorial Unit wants the Sri Lanka College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists (SLCOG) to spread the message about the beneficial effects of a female labour companion among all its members, who could then implement it in their hospitals.
Pointing out that the introduction of the programme embodies the very essence of compassionate healthcare, Consultant Obstetrician & Gynaecologist Dr. Chaminda Hunukumbura, lamented that for some reason it has not gained momentum in Sri Lanka.
He was hopeful that with the Maathru Saheli Programme being implemented at Kalubowila, there will be new vigour to take the baton forward by others.
SLCOG President-elect Dr. Sarath Akmeemana said it was “great” that a multidisciplinary hospital had begun this programme and gave its benefits – labour companions improve the maternal mindset, as the companions provide psychological and physical support. They would also help bridge any communication gap that may arise between the health staff and the mother in labour. Such a presence would also ensure that there would be no maltreatment or disrespect on the part of the harried staff towards the mother in labour.
While the Director of Maternal and Child Health of the Family Health Bureau, Dr Chithramalee de Silva, lauded the effort and said that a labour companion facilitates an uncomplicated delivery, Consultant Obstetrician & Gynaecologist Prof. Rukshan Fernandopulle went into the distant past how women delivered their babies in their homes amidst female companions.
Prof. Manori Gamage
He said that now with more than 95% of the deliveries happening at hospital under the ‘Safe Motherhood’ initiative, it is good to have a female labour companion with a mother to alleviate anxiety and fear and provide comfort.
Prof. Rukshan Fernandopulle
Consultant Anaesthetist Dr. Thiloka Perera detailed how they ease the pain of childbirth and the Dean of the Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Prof. Manori Gamage who is a Consultant Paediatrician pointed out that when the mother is relaxed with a labour companion at her side, there is a good outcome for the newborn.
How the Kalubowila Hospital has made life easier for expectant mothers by launching an online registration system so that they do not need to queue up for registration, was explained by Consultant Obstetrician & Gynaecologist Prof. Madura Jayawardane.
“It smoothens the way,” he said, pointing out that every antenatal report is also sent to the Medical Officer of Health (MOH) area in which the mother lives, so that ground-level Public Health Midwives (PHMs) are in the loop.
The Sister-in-Charge of the Labour Room, N.D.B. Damayanthi, spoke on the efforts made by her team to make the delivery as comfortable as possible.
Some mothers due to deliver their babies hearing the good news about being able to have a labour companion. Pix by M.A. Pushpa Kumara
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