Abstract
Introduction Respectful maternity care (RMC) is critical. This study examines the feasibility of Maathru Samman Pants (MSP), pants with vulval opening with a flap on the front and the back for the privacy of pregnant women during labour to perform various procedures like per vaginal examination, episiotomy, etc., at secondary healthcare levels in India. These pants are aimed at enhancing comfort, privacy, and dignity during childbirth. By addressing the concerns of exposure and modesty, these pants empower pregnant women and their birth companions, promoting a positive experience. Materials and methods This multicentric, cross-sectional study was conducted across four regions of India to study the satisfaction, acceptability, and demand of MSPs in secondary healthcare settings. The study involved 120 pregnant women and 90 birth companions with data collected through qualitative questionnaires and in-depth interviews. The qualitative questionnaire, comprising sections on satisfaction, acceptability, and demand, utilized a Likert scale and open-ended questions. In-depth interviews and focus group discussions provided additional quantitative insights. Data was transcribed, translated, and analyzed focusing on themes such as comfort, design, and respect, to assess the pants' adoption and effectiveness. Results A majority of the pregnant women (n=78; 65%) were within the 21-30 age group. The religious distribution was varied, with a majority of Hindu (n=46, 38.33%) and Christian (n=50; 41.67%) populations. In the northern region, the Sikh presence was 22 out of 30 (73%). Birth companions predominantly consisted of mothers or mothers-in-law of the patient (n=70; 77.78%), with females making up 98.89% (n=89) of companions. A total of 116 women (96.70%) felt the pants reduced the hassle of dressing for examinations. Birth companions were similarly satisfied, with 86.70% (n=78) agreeing or strongly agreeing that MSPs provided effective coverage during labor. The pants were also rated easy to use by 110 (91.70%) pregnant women, and 119 (99.20%) found them useful overall. Among pregnant women, 109 out of 120 (90.78%) agreed or strongly agreed that the pants made them feel cared for and respected, while all felt the process respected cultural norms. All birth companions reported finding cultural respect important and rated MSP highly for maintaining privacy. Overall, 89 companions (98.89%) agreed MSPs provided comfort in family presence. Regarding comfort in the labor room, 111 pregnant women (92.50%) agreed or strongly agreed that they felt awkward in the presence of other personnel, which MSPs helped alleviate. The future demand for MSPs was strong, with 113 women (94.17%) indicating they would use it again for privacy in subsequent deliveries. Additionally, 119 women (99.17%) expressed their willingness to recommend MSP along with a shirt to other pregnant women to maintain privacy. Conclusion MSPs enhance maternity care by improving comfort, privacy, and cultural sensitivity, receiving high acceptance for promoting dignified childbirth, aligning with patient-centered practices, and improving maternal outcomes.