Midwifery

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).

Midwifery

FIRST ASSESSED CERVICAL DILATATION: IS IT ASSOCIATED WITH OXYTOCIN AUGMENTATION DURING LABOUR? A RETROSPECTIVE COHORT STUDY IN A UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL IN SWITZERLAND.

The primary objective of this study was to examine the association between the first assessed cervical dilatation in a labourward and the use of oxytocin augmentation during labour. Further analysis was performed by examining the actual stage of labour at the point oxytocin was first administered to those women.

Midwifery

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.

Midwifery

Womens’ experiences of living with obstetric fistula in Ghana–time for the establishment of a fistula centre of excellence

To explore the experiences of women living with Obstetric Fistula in Ghana.

Midwifery

The characteristics and prevalence of phobias in pregnancy

The primary objective was to estimate the population prevalence of specific phobias (including pregnancy related specific phobias) and associated mental disorders. The secondary objective was to investigate the effectiveness of routinely collected screening tools (depression and anxiety screens, Whooley and GAD-2 respectively) in identifying specific phobias. Specific phobias are the most common anxiety disorder to occur during pregnancy, but studies on prevalence and clinical correlates of specific phobias, including pregnancy related specific phobias are lacking.