Table 3.

Pregnant women’s expectations from the male partners during labour and delivery

Parameter	Frequency	Percentage (%)
Would you like someone to be with you in labour and delivery?
Yes	427	84.4
No	79	15.6
Who will you like to be with you? (n = 427)
Husband	345	80.8
Mother	46	10.8
Mother-in-law	12	2.8
Sister	20	4.7
A friend	4	0.9
Why should men accompany their partners during delivery (n = 366)*
To know how painful it is	118	32.2
To treat women better	88	24.0
To like the child better	29	7.9
Will encourage women in labour	77	21.0
To appreciate the value of women	211	57.7
May make men to allow family planning	31	8.5
It may stop extra marital affairs	19	5.2
Why should men stay away during delivery? (n = 140)*
Delivery is sacred for women only	23	16.2
Men may cry during the delivery	26	18.6
Men do not have any role to play	55	39.3
Men may collapse and faint on seeing blood	4	2.9
Men may not like their wives after delivery	3	2.1
I will feel ashamed	7	5.0
It will make me not to push well	12	8.6
May disturb the health personnel	39	27.9
What influenced your opinion?
Culture	108	21.3
Religion	108	21.3
Personal opinion	290	57.6
Why was he absence at previous delivery? (n=434)
He was not in town	114	26.3
I did not know that he can be there	99	22.8
I did not want it	80	18.4
The health care provider refused	141	32.5
What was the outcome of your partner’s presence at delivery? (n=72)
I felt less pain	12	16.7
He supported me	49	68.1
He increased my anxiety	11	15.2

^*Multiple answers were allowed