Funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and implemented by ICRHK in partnership with Jphiego and the County Governments of Machakos and Murang’a, the Birth Companion (BC) Study aimed to evaluate the impact of a birth companion intervention package on the presence of companions during labor, birth, and the postnatal period. Conducted in 24 health facilities (12 in Machakos and 12 in Murang’a), the study assessed the acceptability, feasibility, and effect of introducing birth companions on facility delivery experiences and outcomes.

Impact
Through this study, ICRHK and partners:

• Strengthened evidence on the role of birth companions in improving respectful maternity care and maternal satisfaction.
• Enhanced facility-level capacity to implement birth companion policies and practices.
• Contributed to national dialogue and policy direction on integrating birth companionship into Kenya’s maternal health framework.