Table 2 Example activities obstetric care navigator identified by mothers, physicians, nurses, and social workers

Coordinate

Navigate complex hospital workflows

Facilitate transfer between levels of care (primary to tertiary referral)

Bring prior labs and imaging results

Purchase medications and supplies stocked out of public system

Bring patient samples to outside laboratory (if not available in public system)

Coordinate transportation from rural villages to hospital

Communicate

Language interpretation between mothers and medical providers

Cultural interpretation between mothers and medical providers

Contextualize limitations faced by medical providers for mothers and families

Provide updates to family and traditional birth attendant

Support

Continuous labor support (e.g. verbal encouragement)

Coach patient through uncomfortable procedures (e.g. cervical exam)

Companionship during hospitalization

Emotional support (e.g. express empathy, reassurance)

Take steps to protect patient dignity (e.g. shielding mother while she changes into a gown in public labor ward)

Advocate

Alert nurses and doctors to mother’s needs

Encourage mothers to accept necessary interventions (ex: cervical exam)

Speak on behalf of mothers (e.g. reinforce refusal of Cesarean delivery)

Prevent or deflect mistreatment