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[The companion in the obstetrics centre of a university hospital in southern Brazil].

OBJECTIVES
To verify the prevalence of companions, their type of bond with the women and the justifications for their absence in the obstetrics centre of a university hospital in Porto Alegre (RS).


METHODS
Quantitative, cross-sectional study carried out with 385 females from August to November, 2012. The data were subjected to descriptive analysis.


RESULTS
Of all the companions, 97.1% were present during labour; 90.6% were present during delivery; 28.6% throughout postpartum care; and 87.1% during the first care procedures of the newborn baby. Most of the companions were the women's partners. The most frequently mentioned reason for their absence during the postpartum recovery period was "not allowed" (57.8%).


CONCLUSIONS
The healthcare institution observes the legal provisions for the presence of a companion, but there is still the need to build awareness among healthcare professionals on the importance of companions during the moments following childbirth, and to adapt the location to accommodate the companions who will support the women.