"I had a companion during childbirth – but only because I was forced to choose a private maternity hospital. In public hospitals in Sarajevo, that wasn’t an option, and that honestly disappointed me", says one of the mothers who decided to share her experience.

She emphasizes that her husband’s presence during childbirth was crucial: “We prepared for that day together. He was by my side the entire time – comforting me, giving me strength, holding my hand. He wasn’t just a companion – he was my support.”

Her testimony highlights the immense emotional and psychological support a woman can receive when she is allowed to have someone familiar, close, and trustworthy present during childbirth.

"I deeply believe that every woman has the right to have a companion during childbirth – this is not a luxury, it's a fundamental human right. That’s why I strongly advocate for this practice to be urgently implemented in public institutions as well. No woman should be denied support during the most important moment of her life", she states.

You can watch her testimony in the video below:

The “Baby Steps” Association has been working with pregnant women and new mothers for years – and the presence of a companion during childbirth consistently emerges as their greatest wish and need. That is precisely why we submitted an Initiative to the Parliament of the Federation of BiH, calling for companionship during childbirth to finally be recognized as a right that all healthcare institutions must provide. We will not stop until every woman in a public maternity hospital has the support she deserves.

Because the right to a dignified childbirth is not a privilege – it is a fundamental human right.