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).

Changing behaviour in pregnant women: a scoping review

Improving health and wellbeing is a major goal in healthcare all over the world (WHO, 2015). Midwives and other healthcare professionals play a key role in educating women about healthy pregnancies (WHO, 2013a). During the course of pregnancy, women may experience a variety of psychological changes, including developing the motivation to change their lifestyle habits (Lindqvist et al., 2017). To support “behaviour change through a life-course approach” and to implement the WHO strategy for strengthening nursing and midwifery towards the achievement of the “Health 2020” goals (WHO, 2015, p.4), it is important for healthcare professionals to increase their knowledge of behaviour change programmes (BCPs) during pregnancy.

The development of Midwifery Unit Standards for Europe

The WHO Global Strategy for Women's, Children's and Adolescents’ Health 2016-2030 emphasises the importance of maternity services in preventing illness and promoting optimal clinical outcomes (Every Woman Every Child, 2015). Midwifery has been recognised as having huge potential for transformation; worldwide, over 50 health outcomes could be improved by expanding provision and access to quality midwifery care (Renfrew, et al., 2014). Midwifery care is also associated with efficient use of resources (Renfrew, et al., 2014).

“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.

The impact of human trafficking in relation to maternity care: A literature review

Human trafficking is an international crime and violation of human rights defined as the recruitment and movement of people for the purposes of exploitation – using coercion, deception, and abuse of vulnerability (PROTECT Report for the Department of Health Policy Research Programme, 2015). Trafficking falls under the umbrella term of ‘Modern Slavery’ which additionally encompasses slavery, servitude and forced or compulsory labour (Department of Justice, 2019). In 2013, there were an estimated 10,000–13,000 potential victims of modern slavery in the UK (Department of Justice, 2019); its scale is gradually increasing due a number of social and economic factors (Wheaton et al., 2010).

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.

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.

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.

Incidence of maternal near miss among women in labour admitted to hospitals in Ethiopia

To assess the incidence of maternal near miss and contributing factors among hospitals in Ethiopia. The study also assessed the ability of hospitals to provide signal functions of emergency obstetric care and its regional distribution.

The role and outcomes of music listening for women in childbirth: An integrative review

To synthesise primary research on the role and use of music listening for women in childbirth.

Women's information needs, decision-making and experiences of membrane sweeping to promote spontaneous labour

UK policy currently recommends membrane sweeping to avoid prolonged pregnancy and reduce the need for formal induction. Guidance from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE, 2008) on induction of labour recommends that at 40- and 41-week antenatal visits, nulliparous women should be offered membrane sweeping prior to formal induction and additional membrane sweeping may be offered if labour does not start spontaneously. Updates to the guideline are expected in July 2020. NICE Quality Standard [QS22] (NICE, 2016) for antenatal care additionally recommends that women having their second or later baby are offered membrane sweeping.

An antenatal wish list: A qualitative systematic review and thematic synthesis of UK dietary advice for weight management and food borne illness

To understand UK women's experiences of antenatal dietary advice for risk of food borne illness and weight gain.

Breastfeeding support in low and middle-income countries: Secondary analysis of national survey data

Early initiation of breastfeeding and exclusive breastfeeding can reduce infant mortality. Breastfeeding support interventions such as counselling may improve adherence to recommended practices. However, it is not known if these interventions work at the population level.

Shared decision aids in pregnancy care: A scoping review

Decision aids (DAs), also known as client-centred decision tools (Vlemmix et al., 2013; Joseph-Williams et al., 2017; Stacey et al., 2017), clinical decision-making tools (Trevana et al., 2014), patient decision aids (Sepucha et al., 2018), shared decision-making tools (Elwyn et al., 2010), and decision support technologies (Elwyn et al., 2009), are interventions that support health consumers by making their decisions explicit, providing information about options and associated benefits/harms, and helping to clarify congruence between decisions and personal values (Stacey et al., 2017).