OBJECTIVES: To determine the effect of continuous companionship support on the progress and outcome of spontaneous labour in uncomplicated pregnancy. DESIGN: Prospective randomized study SETTING: Department of Obstetrics And Gynaecology Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex Ile Ife METHOD: eighty four low risk parous women with singleton pregnancy presenting with spontaneous onset of labour at gestational age between 36 and 42 weeks and cervical dilatation between 3 and 6cm were randomly assigned to have a supportive companion or no supportive companion (control) throughout the duration of labour to provide physical emotional and psychological support the parturient. Maternal demographics intrapartum interventions, labour delivery data and newborn outcomes were compared. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Duration of the first and second stages of labour, rate of complications and intervention in labour e.g. use of oxytocin to augment labour, instrumental delivery, mode of delivery analgesic requirement in labour and fetal outcomes.