This is a protocol for a Cochrane Review (Qualitative). The objectives are as follows:

The overall objective of the review is to describe and explore the perceptions and experiences of women, partners, community members, healthcare providers and administrators, and other key stakeholders who have experience with a labour companion. The review has the following objectives.

1. To identify, appraise and synthesise qualitative research evidence on women’s, partners’, community members’, healthcare providers’ and administrators’, and other key stakeholders’ perceptions and experiences regarding labour companionship in health facilities.

2. To identify barriers and facilitators to successful implementation and sustainability of labour companionship.

3. To explore how the findings of this review can enhance our understanding of the related intervention review (Hodnett 2013).