ALLAHABAD: Expecting mothers would now have a friend to share their joy and help them brave the pain during child birth Seeking to promote institutional deliveries across the state under the the National Health Mission (NHM) programme, pregnant women would be accompanied by women ‘birth companions’ to offer their support at government health centres.The programme recently kickstarted here in the Sangam city. A birth companion can be a close relative or a women friend of the pregnant women, especially someone who has already gone through the labour pain.District programme manager of NHM (Allahabad) VK Singh said, “Around 6,000 institutional deliveries are being performed at government hospitals, community health centres and primary health centres every month in Allahabad.”Singh also that under the initiative, a close relative, a friend or even the husband of the pregnant women can stay with the patient in the labour room during delivery.Singh said, “When a pregnant women is being taken for delivery to the labour room, especially when she is delivering a baby for the first time, she needs emotional support to overcome her emotions. A birth companion can help her overcoming the pain and provide emotional support.NHM has issued guidelines to superintendents of hospitals, primarycommunity health centres and sub–centres and birth companions are assisting the pregnant women at government health facilities where deliveries take place.Allahabad-based gynaecologist, Dr Priti said, “Pregnant women can choose a woman member of their family or a friend as birth companion.”

Stay updated with all the Allahabad Latest News headlines here. For more exclusive & live news updates from all around India, stay connected with NYOOOZ.