[The companion in the obstetrics centre of a university hospital in southern Brazil]. / O acompanhante no centro obstétrico de um hospital universitário do sul do Brasil.

OBJECTIVES: To verify the prevalence of companions, their type of bond with the women and the justifications for their absence in the obstetrics centre of a university hospital in Porto Alegre (RS). METHODS: Quantitative, cross-sectional study carried out with 385 females from August to November, 2012. The data were subjected to descriptive analysis. RESULTS: Of all the companions, 97.1% were present during labour; 90.6% were present during delivery; 28.6% throughout postpartum care; and 87.1% during the first care procedures of the newborn baby. Most of the companions were the women's partners. The most frequently mentioned reason for their absence during the postpartum recovery period was "not allowed" (57.8%). CONCLUSIONS: The healthcare institution observes the legal provisions for the presence of a companion, but there is still the need to build awareness among healthcare professionals on the importance of companions during the moments following childbirth, and to adapt the location to accommodate the companions who will support the women.

O acompanhante no centro obstétrico de um hospital universitário do sul do Brasil / El acompañante en el centro obstétrico de un hospital universitario en el sur de Brasil / The companion in the obstetrics centre of a university hospital in southern Brazil

RESUMO Objetivos Verificar a prevalência de acompanhante, o tipo de vínculo com a mulher e as justificativas para sua ausência no Centro Obstétrico de um hospital universitário de Porto Alegre (RS). Métodos Estudo quantitativo, transversal, realizado com 385 mulheres no período de agosto a novembro de 2012. Procedeu-se à análise descritiva. Resultados Constataram-se 97,1% de acompanhantes no trabalho de parto; 90,6% no parto; 28,6% na recuperação pós-parto; e 87,1% na realização dos primeiros cuidados com o recém-nascido. O companheiro da mulher foi o acompanhante predominante em todos os momentos. O motivo mais citado para a sua ausência na recuperação pós-parto foi “não permitido” (57,8%). Conclusões A Instituição cumpre as determinações legais referentes à presença de acompanhante, no entanto, ainda há necessidade de sensibilização dos profissionais de saúde quanto à importância do acompanhante no pós-parto imediato, assim como de adequações do espaço físico do local, favorecendo a presença desse suporte à mulher.

RESUMEN Objetivo verificar la prevalencia del acompañante durante la permanencia de la mujer en el Centro Obstétrico, el vínculo de éste con la paciente y los justificativos en caso de su ausencia en este Hospital Universitario de Porto Alegre (RS). Método Estudio cuantitativo transversal, realizado con 385 mujeres en el período desde agosto a noviembre de 2012. Se procede al análisis descriptivo. Resultados 97,1% de acompañantes durante el trabajo de parto; 90,6% en el parto; 28,6% durante la recuperación postparto y 87,1% en la realización de los primeros cuidados al recién nacido. El compañero de la mujer fue el acompañante predominante en todos los momentos. El motivo más referido para la ausencia en la recuperación postparto fue “no permitido” (57’8%). Conclusiones La Institución cumple con las determinaciones legales referentes a la presencia del acompañante, sin embargo, aún existe la necesidad de capacitar a los profesionales de salud en la importancia que tiene el acompañante durante el postparto inmediato, así como adaptar el espacio físico del área, favoreciendo la presencia dando soporte a la mujer.

ABSTRACT Objectives To verify the prevalence of companions, their type of bond with the women and the justifications for their absence in the obstetrics centre of a university hospital in Porto Alegre (RS). Methods Quantitative, cross-sectional study carried out with 385 females from August to November, 2012. The data were subjected to descriptive analysis. Results Of all the companions, 97.1% were present during labour; 90.6% were present during delivery; 28.6% throughout postpartum care; and 87.1% during the first care procedures of the newborn baby. Most of the companions were the women’s partners. The most frequently mentioned reason for their absence during the postpartum recovery period was “not allowed” (57.8%). Conclusions The healthcare institution observes the legal provisions for the presence of a companion, but there is still the need to build awareness among healthcare professionals on the importance of companions during the moments following childbirth, and to adapt the location to accommodate the companions who will support the women.