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. 2017 Jul 6;2017(7):CD003766. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD003766.pub6

Comparison 2. Continuous support versus usual care ‐ policy regarding presence of companion.

Outcome or subgroup title No. of studies No. of participants Statistical method Effect size
1 Spontaneous vaginal birth 19 14218 Risk Ratio (IV, Random, 95% CI) 1.08 [1.04, 1.12]
1.1 Other support permitted 9 10889 Risk Ratio (IV, Random, 95% CI) 1.03 [1.00, 1.06]
1.2 Other support not permitted 10 3329 Risk Ratio (IV, Random, 95% CI) 1.11 [1.06, 1.17]
2 Negative rating of/negative feelings about birth experience 11 11178 Risk Ratio (IV, Random, 95% CI) 0.69 [0.60, 0.79]
2.1 Other support permitted 5 8639 Risk Ratio (IV, Random, 95% CI) 0.77 [0.60, 1.00]
2.2 Other support not permitted 6 2539 Risk Ratio (IV, Random, 95% CI) 0.63 [0.53, 0.74]
3 Postpartum depression 2   Risk Ratio (IV, Random, 95% CI) Subtotals only
3.1 Other support permitted 1 5567 Risk Ratio (IV, Random, 95% CI) 0.86 [0.73, 1.02]
3.2 Other support not permitted 1 149 Risk Ratio (IV, Random, 95% CI) 0.18 [0.09, 0.36]
4 Admission to special care nursery 7 8897 Risk Ratio (IV, Random, 95% CI) 0.97 [0.76, 1.25]
4.1 Other support permitted 2 7328 Risk Ratio (IV, Random, 95% CI) 0.99 [0.82, 1.20]
4.2 Other support not permitted 5 1569 Risk Ratio (IV, Random, 95% CI) 0.87 [0.47, 1.61]
5 Exclusive or any breastfeeding at any time point, as defined by trial authors 3   Risk Ratio (IV, Random, 95% CI) Subtotals only
5.1 Other support permitted 1 4559 Risk Ratio (IV, Random, 95% CI) 0.97 [0.92, 1.02]
5.2 Other support not permitted 2 804 Risk Ratio (IV, Random, 95% CI) 1.05 [0.98, 1.13]
6 Any analgesia/anaesthesia 14 12350 Risk Ratio (IV, Random, 95% CI) 0.90 [0.84, 0.96]
6.1 Other support permitted 7 9752 Risk Ratio (IV, Random, 95% CI) 0.97 [0.96, 0.99]
6.2 Other support not permitted 7 2598 Risk Ratio (IV, Random, 95% CI) 0.78 [0.61, 1.00]
7 Synthetic oxytocin during labour 15 12620 Risk Ratio (IV, Random, 95% CI) 0.97 [0.91, 1.04]
7.1 Other support permitted 5 9495 Risk Ratio (IV, Random, 95% CI) 0.99 [0.90, 1.10]
7.2 Other support not permitted 10 3125 Risk Ratio (IV, Random, 95% CI) 0.94 [0.85, 1.05]
8 Caesarean birth 22 15175 Risk Ratio (IV, Random, 95% CI) 0.78 [0.67, 0.91]
8.1 Other support permitted 11 11326 Risk Ratio (IV, Random, 95% CI) 0.91 [0.79, 1.04]
8.2 Other support not permitted 11 3849 Risk Ratio (IV, Random, 95% CI) 0.68 [0.52, 0.88]