Satisfaction of Slovak Women with Psychosocial Aspects of Care during Childbirth

The objective of the study is to find out and assess satisfaction of Slovak women with psychosocial aspects of perinatal care.

Assessing mental health during pregnancy: an exploratory qualitative study of midwives’ perceptions

: Mental health disorders are estimated to affect between 10% and 20% of women who access maternity services and can be defined as a public health issue due to the potential consequences for women, children and families. Detecting problems early in pregnancy can significantly improve outcomes for women and their families. However, mental health problems are not being consistently identified in routine midwifery practice and little is known from current literature about midwives’ practice in relation to current national guidelines or the impact models of care have on assessing maternal mental health.

Technology-supported lifestyle interventions to improve maternal-fetal outcomes in women with gestational diabetes mellitus: A meta-analysis

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is defined as abnormal glucose tolerance during pregnancy (ACOG Practice Bulletin, 2018). As one of the most common obstetric complications, GDM affects 6%-8% of pregnant women globally according to recent reports and its incidence continues to rise (Iftikhar et al., 2019, Lee et al., 2018), making GDM a major public health problem (Al Wattar, 2019). Multiple studies have confirmed that gestational diabetes is associated with adverse maternal and infant outcomes including preeclampsia, miscarriage, cesarean delivery, shoulder dystocia, macrosomia, neonatal hypoglycemia, and birth trauma (2018, Al Wattar, 2019, Blumberg et al., 2018, Schiavone et al., 2016).

‘Supporting a first-time mother’ Assessment of success of a breastfeeding promotion programme

The benefits of breastfeeding to both mother and baby have been extensively reported (Amitay & Keinan-Boker, 2015; Beral 2002; Chowdhury et al., 2015; Horta, 2015; Kramer et al, 2007; Slusser, 2007) . Some examples are the significant reduction of hospital admissions and childhood infections in breastfed children, the reduction of ovarian and breast cancer in mothers who breastfeed (Victora et al., 2016) and the risk of hip fractures (Bjørnerem et al., 2011), as reviewed by United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF, 2011). The economic cost of promoting breastfeeding against its significant beneficial effects on both maternal and children's health, makes breastfeeding very valuable as a health promotion strategy (WHO, 2018; Grummer-Strawn, et al.

Commentary: Creating a Definition for Global Midwifery Centers

Midwifery centers were developed by communities to increase women's access to acceptable facility-based care during childbirth (Cole, 2017). Midwifery centers are health care facilities that provide birth and sexual and reproductive health care using the midwifery model of care. They provide safe, satisfying, women-centered care, and reduce interventions (Stapleton et al. 2013) (Hermus et al. 2017). While the services offered, and their integration within the health system can vary greatly (Kirkham, 2003), midwifery centers offer a strong alternative for respectful, facility-based birth, in a woman's community.

Cultural beliefs and Health-Seeking Practices: Rural Zambians' Views on Maternal-Newborn Care

In Zambia, the newborn mortality rate is 34 per 1,000 live births (UNICEF, 2017) and the infant mortality rate is 44 per 1,000 live births (UNICEF, 2018). To promote improved newborn health outcomes in rural Zambia, new knowledge is needed to enhance our understanding of newborn care and cultural factors influencing the ways mothers seek newborn care. Several studies from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) show cultural beliefs strongly influence behavior during pregnancy, childbirth, and care-seeking (Lang-Baldé & Amerson, 2018; Lori & Boyle, 2011; Maimbolwa, Yamba, Diwan, & Ransjö-Arvidson, 2003; Raman, Nicholls, Ritchie, Razee, & Shafiee, 2016).

A community of practice in a midwifery led unit. How the culture and environment shape the learning experience of student midwives

: to explore the teaching and learning experience of midwifery mentors and student midwives in a midwifery led unit. The aim of this paper is to discuss how a conceptual framework emerged from the findings of the study.

The initiation of Dutch newly qualified hospital-based midwives in practice, a qualitative study

In the Netherlands, a percentage of newly qualified midwives start work in maternity care as a hospital-based midwife, although prepared particularly for working autonomously in the community.

Why do community members believe mothers and babies are dying? Behavioral versus situational attribution in rural northern Ghana

Rates of maternal and neonatal death remain high in the Global South, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa. In addition, indicators vary significantly by geography. This study aimed to understand what communities in northern Ghana with frequent maternal and newborn deaths or near deaths (near-misses) perceive to be the causes. As part of a larger study, four communities in Ghana's Northern Region were identified as areas with high concentrations of deaths and near-misses of mothers and babies.

A qualitative study of a sample of women participating in an Australian randomised controlled trial of intrapartum fetal surveillance

The STan Australian Randomised controlled Trial (START), the first of its kind in Australia, compares two techniques of intrapartum fetal surveillance (cardiotocographic electronic fetal monitoring (CTG) plus analysis of the ST segment of the fetal electrocardiogram (STan+CTG) with CTG alone) with the aim of reducing unnecessary obstetric intervention. It is also the first comprehensive intrapartum fetal surveillance (IFS) trial worldwide, including qualitative examination of psychosocial outcomes and cost-effectiveness.

“Are you doing your pelvic floor?” An ethnographic exploration of the interaction between women and midwives about pelvic floor muscle exercises (PFME) during pregnancy

Many women experience urinary incontinence (UI) during and after pregnancy. Pelvic floor muscle exercises (PFME) can prevent and reduce the symptoms of UI. The objective of the study was to explore challenges, opportunities and concerns for women and health care professionals (HCPs), related to the implementation of PFME training for women in current antenatal care.

Evidence and guidelines for trauma-informed doula care

Although trauma and trauma-related health conditions are increasingly common among childbearing people (Sperlich et al., 2017; Vignato et al., 2017), there is a dearth of published evidence and guidance on trauma-informed doula care. Trauma refers to an event(s) or circumstances that are experienced as physically or emotionally harmful or life threatening and that have lasting adverse effects on wellbeing (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA, 2014)). This can include post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and negative pregnancy-related outcomes such as substance use, prematurity, low birth weight, postpartum depression, difficulty bonding with the baby, children with PTSD, or even maternal and infant death (Sperlich et al., 2017; Kilpatrick 2017; Kendig et al., 2017).

Development, psychometric assessment, and predictive validity of the comprehensive breastfeeding knowledge scale

To develop a breastfeeding knowledge scale that aligns with the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative and psychometrically test it among expectant parents.

Perinatal contraceptive counselling: Effectiveness of a reinforcement intervention on top of standard clinical practice

To assess the effectiveness of supplemental perinatal contraceptive counselling in addition to standard Spanish postpartum contraceptive counselling with regard to contraceptive use and use of effective contraception up to 1 year postpartum. Women's satisfaction with counselling and the method chosen was also assessed.

Women's experiences with enhanced recovery after elective caesarean section with next day discharge: A qualitative study

A maternity service in Australia recently implemented an ‘Enhanced recovery after Elective Caesarean’ pathway, which includes antenatal preparation and facilitates an active role in postnatal recovery such as encouraging mobility and early cessation of fasting. The pathway includes next day discharge for women and their babies after elective caesarean section and safely transitions maternity care from hospital to home with community midwifery care. While enhanced recovery has been implemented in a number of surgical procedures to reduce hospital stay and to improve patient outcomes it has only been considered for elective caesarean sections in more recent years.

Arabic-speaking women's experiences of communication at antenatal care in Sweden using a tablet application – part of development and feasibility study

The purpose of this study was to explore Arabic-speaking women´s experiences of communication at antenatal care in Sweden when using a tablet application (app).

The provision of midwife-led care in low-and middle-income countries: An integrative review

Addressing preventable maternal and newborn mortality and morbidity are major issues globally with low- and lower middle-income countries (LMICS) having the highest rates (Graham et al. 2016; UNFPA, WHO & ICM 2014; WHO, UNICEF & UNFPA 2014). Each day, approximately 830 women die from preventable causes related to pregnancy and childbirth (Alkema et al. 2016). In addition, approximately 2.5 million newborn babies die each year (UN 2018) and a further 2.6 million are stillborn (Lawn et al. 2011). Most deaths are from LMICS which account for 95% of maternal and 90% of all child deaths globally (Boerma et al.

Project 20: Midwives’ insight into continuity of care models for women with social risk factors: What works, for whom, in what circumstances, and how

Women with social risk factors such as those living in poverty and social isolation, seeking asylum or refugee status, experiencing domestic abuse, mental illness, learning difficulties, and substance abuse problems, have significantly higher rates of poor birth outcomes compared to their more advantaged counterparts (Draper, 2019, Biro, 2017, Lindquist, 2015, Blumenshine, 2010, Smith 2009). In both the UK and the US women from black and minority ethnic backgrounds [BME] also experience unacceptably high rates of morbidity and mortality compared to their white counterparts, regardless of their socio-economic status (Knight et al, 2018).

Methamphetamine use in pregnancy, child protection, and removal of infants: Tertiary centre experience from Western Australia

The Women and Newborn Drug and Alcohol Service (WANDAS) is a specialist antenatal service at King Edward Memorial Hospital, Perth Western Australia, that provides multidisciplinary care to pregnant women who use or have a history of alcohol and other drugs (AOD) misuse. Illicit methamphetamine use along with polysubstance use is a significant health problem in Australia and within the WANDAS population.

Improvisation and harm avoidance: An ethnographic study of adherence to postnatal care protocols in two hospitals in Southern Ghana

Postnatal care (PNC) is the skilled care given to mothers and babies immediately after delivery and for six weeks thereafter (WHO, 2013). The aim is to detect, manage or refer maternal and newborn health problems and life-threatening complications. (Ronsmans and Graham, 2006; Nadisauskiene et al., 2014; Singh et al., 2014; WHO and UNICEF, 2014). Protocols and guidelines are “statements to assist healthcare practitioners to make appropriate decisions about the right care in specific conditions and circumstances” (Woolf et al., 1999:527).