On 25 February 2016, The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare decided have decided to provide birth companions during delivery in public health facilities. This is to reduce Maternal Mortality Ratio and Infant Mortality Rate in India.
•    The presence of a female relative during labour is said to be beneficial to the women in labour. 
•    The birth companion will be female relative who has undergone the process of labour.
•    She should not have any communicable diseases.
•    She must wear clean clothes.
•    She must be willing to stay with the pregnant woman during the process of labour.
•    Birth Companion will not interfere in the treatment procedures.
•    Birth companions are the ones who have experienced the process of labour.
•    World Health Organization supportslabour companionship for improving maternal and infant health (WHO 2002).