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What is in MIDIRS latest Digest?
Here are a selection of articles from the current Digest:
Full text is available on all original articles when accessed through the
MIDIRS Online Service.
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MIDIRS Midwifery Digest, Sept 2008, Volume 18, Number 3MIDIRS Midwifery Digest
| SpaceDigest Sections
Editorial
Hot Topics
Research & Education
Midwifery
Pregnancy
Labour & Birth
Postnatal
Neonatal & Infancy
Maternity Services
News & Views | | |
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| | Click Here if you would like to submit an article to be considered for the Digest.
To download our guidelines on writing an article for the Midwifery Digest click on the pdf icons below.
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| | Editorial | Top |
| | Editorial - From the editor
Author: Marchant S
There are three topics that dominate this issue: that of child protection and the removal of a baby from its mother at birth, the second is home birth, its safety and how this is assessed and finally cord clamping, its timing and effect on mother and neonate. Sally also introduces the new section on infant nutrition which appears in this issue for the first time. She talks briefly about the ICM's Triennial Congress in Glasgow last June and how the international perspective on midwifery is so ext...
Ref: 20080814-3
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| | Hot Topic | Top |
| | Hot Topics - Taking the baby away. Removing babies at birth for safeguarding and child protection
Author: Wood G
Background: I have experience working with vulnerable families and babies born into families with high-risk factors in child protection and safeguarding issues. As part of my MSc study I was interested in the issues facing midwives in the role of child protection and safeguarding, as very little research has been done to look at the experiences and challenges midwives face and the effects it has on us as professionals. A literature review underpinning the framework for the study has already publ...
Ref: 20080814-4
Hot Topics - Safety in birth: the contextual conundrums faced by women in a ‘risk society’, driven by neoliberal policies
Author: Edwards N
This paper looks at how some women negotiate the complexities of safety and risk through the medical and social discourses around birth. It looks at some of the powerful forces at work that shape these discourses and thus women’s decision making. The purpose of this paper was to attempt to understand more deeply the contextual constraints faced by women (and midwives) as they consider the medico/technical moralities of risk and negotiate over stretched and under resourced NHS services in Britain...
Ref: 20081118-46#
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| | Research & Education | Top |
| | Research & Education - Night duty as an opportunity for learning
Author: Campbell AM; Nilsson K; Andersson EP
AIM: This paper is a report of a study to examine what opportunities night nurses have to learn in terms of being able to distinguish variations in the patients' conditions. BACKGROUND: Night nurses often lack access to the formalized in-service training offered to day nurses. As every clinical experience can be seen as an opportunity for learning, learning takes place even at night. However, the learning of night nurses has not been studied previously. METHOD: This study is based on interviews ...
Ref: 20080501-7
Research & Education - A retrospective: Porter and McIntyre's research note on women's responses to antenatal care provision
Author: Hundley V
This is the second in a planned series of articles looking at classic research studies that have influenced midwifery knowledge and practice. The paper by Porter and McIntyre (1984) arose out of earlier studies evaluating antenatal care in the UK. They explored how women perceived the changes to antenatal care resulting from these studies and this article discusses how important their findings were at the time and how they continue to have implications for future development in maternity service...
Ref: 20080814-5
Research & Education - The promotion of breastfeeding: the contribution of qualitative research
Author: Brook Y
This article arises from an assignment designed to explore the contribution of qualitative research and how it can be applied to a particular health practice. The promotion of breastfeeding was chosen because it is a rich source of qualitative studies which highlight aspects of the provision of midwifery practice. The article includes summaries of a number of qualitative studies and discussion on their contribution to existing knowledge and clinical practice. The under-utilisation of qualitative...
Ref: 20080814-6
Research & Education - Metaphors in qualitative research: Shedding light or casting shadows?
Author: Carpenter J
The use of metaphors in qualitative research provides an opportunity to examine phenomena from a unique and creative perspective. Metaphors can be used to provide structure to the data; to understand a familiar process in a new light; to identify situation-specific interventions; and to evoke emotion. Misuse of metaphors may detract from the intended research message. Mixing metaphors, failing to follow through with metaphors, and using metaphors that do not fit the data can misrepresent the dat...
Ref: 20080619-41*
Research & Education - An introduction to reading and appraising qualitative research
Author: Kuper A; Reeves S; Levinson W
This article explores the difference between qualitative and quantitative research and the need for doctors to be able to interpret and appraise qualitative research. (17 references) (Author)...
Ref: 20080821-6
Research & Education - Publishing issues
Author: Mander R
In this article I seek to address some of the publication-related issues which, increasingly, affect midwives when they begin to get into print. Traditionally, academic midwives have been involved, but midwives in clinical practice are more and more likely to be expected to include publications in their curriculum vitae. The issues on which I focus will tend towards the critical or negative aspects of the publishing process. I consider that this is necessary because such aspects tend not to be g...
Ref: 20081118-47#
Research & Education - Midwifery in Canada: building bridges
Author: Rapaport Beck R: Haworth-Brockman M; Martin W et al
This paper is based upon a previous work that was published by the Canadian Journal of Midwifery Research and Practice, entitled, ‘The National Midwifery Assessment Strategy: building bridges’ (Rapaport Beck et al 2007). This article has been written with an international audience in mind and includes the most recent project of the Canadian Midwifery Regulators Consortium, the Multi-jurisdictional Midwifery Bridging project.
The practice of midwifery in Canada has undergone radical changes in t...
Ref: 20081118-55#
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| | Midwifery | Top |
| | Midwifery - Supervision of midwives in neonatal environments – ‘The mists of uncertainty’
Author: Blake D; Teasdale D
Direct entry midwives are a reality within the practice arena however employment opportunities for these students on registration are being limited. Historically, neonatal units have experienced staff shortages and have welcomed entrants from a variety of backgrounds including midwives, child nurses and adult nursing pathways. However student midwives pursuing a neonatal career are not always considered acceptable initial candidates despite the fact that their student experience equips them with...
Ref: 20080222-4
Midwifery - Extricating midwifery from the elephant's bed
Author: Mander R
Editorial discussing the relationship between midwives and nurses in the United Kingdom and further afield. (31 references) (MB)...
Ref: 20080610-31*
Midwifery - Passionate midwifery: a conference to celebrate the life and work of Tricia Anderson
Author: Duff E
On 14 June 2008, a conference, organised by friends and colleagues of the late Tricia Anderson, was held in Bournemouth to celebrate her unique approach to life and to midwifery. This article details the presentations each in their way reflecting the life and work of a 'passionate midwife'. Proceeds went to a Iolanthe Trust award which has been set up in Tricia's memory. (30 references) (VDD)...
Ref: 20080814-8
Midwifery - Timing of cord clamping: what do YOU think
Author: Ali E
This article looks in detail at the subject of cord clamping and its timing. The author lists the possible advantages and disadvantages of early clamping; she looks at the historical and anthropological aspects, the evidence from trials and questions the fact that early clamping is still advocated in the recent NICE guidelines, despite its being an unphysiological and untested intervention which was introduced initially to prevent PPH. The author believes that midwives should be contributing to ...
Ref: 20080814-9
Midwifery - Vision and mission: 'think straight, have knowledge of the past, some vision of the future, some skill to do useful service
Author: Duff E
In May 2008, the Triennial Congress of the International Confederation of Midwives took place in Glasgow. Here the communications manager for the ICM describes the process by which the council members, representing as they do so many different countries and viewpoints, manage to come to an agreement on new vision and mission statements for the ICM. (5 references) (VDD)...
Ref: 20080814-16
Midwifery - Supervision of midwives in neonatal environments – ‘The mists of uncertainty’
Author: Blake D; Teasdale D
Direct entry midwives are a reality within the practice arena however employment opportunities for these students on registration are being limited. Historically, neonatal units have experienced staff shortages and have welcomed entrants from a variety of backgrounds including midwives, child nurses and adult nursing pathways. However student midwives pursuing a neonatal career are not always considered acceptable initial candidates despite the fact that their student experience equips them with...
Ref: 20080222-4
Midwifery - Women ‘have to cross that bridge alone’: bringing to the attention of world governments the one Millennium Development Goal towards which no progress has been made
Author: Duff E
In this issue, Elizabeth Duff talks frankly about the powerful organisations involved in recent discussions regarding the continuing global challenges faced in prormoting maternal and child health. She discusses further the issue of funding and the effect of the recent banking crises. Elizabeth also highlights the desperate need for governments to pledge finance in the areas of promoting policies and programmes that continue to support maternal and child health. Further discussion is given to t...
Ref: 20081120-27
Midwifery - Experiences of maternity nursing with the Sisters of St Anne, 1964–1972
Author: Lorentzon M
This article is based on my own history at a time when I was not a qualified midwife but was involved in the care of women and their babies first as an obstetric student nurse from St George’s Hospital (1964) and then as a state registered nurse (SRN) (all the time when I was a member of the religious order). While this account is mainly anecdotal, the stories are used to offer insight into the role and function of the nurse and midwife within the context of the social setting at that time. It i...
Ref: 20081120-26#
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| | Pregnancy | Top |
| | Pregnancy - Pregnant women's perceptions of abuse
Author: `Haggerty LA; Kelly U; Hawkins J; et al
Objective: To determine whether pregnant women's perceptions of abuse severity and danger, and their ability to control the abuse, are significantly correlated with the acts of abuse they experience, and to find out whether relationships exist among women's appraisals of abuse severity, danger, and their perceived ability to stop the abuse. Design: A correlational design was used to compare the abusive acts experienced by the women and their perceptions of that abuse. Setting: Nine prenatal clin...
Ref: 20010711-11
Pregnancy - Managing back pain in pregnancy using a support garment: a randomised trial
Author: Kalus SM; Kornman LH; Quinlivan JA
OBJECTIVE: Large population studies have shown that low back pain affects about 50% of pregnant women. The aim of this study was to determine whether the use of the BellyBra in pregnant women with back pain is associated with changes in assessments of pain severity, physical activity and satisfaction with life after 3 weeks of intervention compared with tubigrip, a more generic form of support. DESIGN: Randomised controlled trial. SETTING: A tertiary referral hospital in Australia. POPULATION: W...
Ref: 20080103-10
Pregnancy - Midwives' and obstetricians' knowledge and management of women presenting with decreased fetal movements
Author: Heazell AEP; Green M; Wright C; et al
BACKGROUND: Maternal perception of decreased fetal movements (DFM) affects 5-15% of pregnancies. DFM is associated with intra-uterine fetal death (IUFD) and intra-uterine growth restriction (IUGR). It has been proposed that maternal perception of DFM may be used as a screening tool for IUFD or IUGR. However, this proposal is complicated by variations in definitions and management of DFM. HYPOTHESIS: We hypothesised that uncertainties in the definition and management of women presenting with DFM ...
Ref: 20080401-67
Pregnancy - Effect of high throughput RHD typing of fetal DNA in maternal plasma on use of anti-RhD immunoglobulin in RhD negative pregnant women: prospective feasibility study
Author: Finning K; Martin P; Summers J; et al
Objectives: To assess the feasibility of applying a high throughput method, with an automated robotic technique, for predicting fetal RhD phenotype from fetal DNA in the plasma of RhD negative pregnant women to avoid unnecessary treatment with anti-RhD immunoglobulin. Design: Prospective comparison of fetal RHD genotype determined from fetal DNA in maternal plasma with the serologically determined fetal RhD phenotype from cord blood. Setting: Antenatal clinics and antenatal testing laboratories ...
Ref: 20080409-14*
Pregnancy - Universal RHD genotyping in fetuses is effective, and could dramatically reduce unnecessary anti-RhD prophylaxis
Author: Kumar S
Comments on an article in this issue (1) which assesses the feasibility of applying a high throughput method for predicting RhD phenotype from fetal DNA in the plasma of RhD negative pregnant women to avoid unnecessary treatment with anti-RhD immunoglobulin. 1. Finning K et al. Effect of high throughput RHD typing of fetal DNA in maternal plasma on use of anti-RhD immunoglobulin in RhD negative pregnant women: prospective feasibility study. BMJ, vol 336, no 7648, 12 April 2008, pp 816-8. (4 refe...
Ref: 20080415-110
Pregnancy - Finding the fertile woman with phenylketonuria
Author: Hanley WB
This review highlights two groups of women with phenylketonuria (PKU) who are at risk of producing offspring with maternal phenylketonuria (MPKU) embryopathy: (I) those not yet diagnosed; (II) those lost to follow-up. The world literature is reviewed, including that published from the International MPKU Collaborative Study (MPKUCS) and evidence is presented to support our hypothesis that at least 10% of subjects with untreated "classical PKU" will have relatively normal intellectual function and...
Ref: 20080422-1
Pregnancy - Pregnancy outcomes of women with pruritus, normal bile salts and liver enzymes: a case control study
Author: Yoong W; Memtsa M; Pun S; et al
BACKGROUND: Obstetric cholestasis (OC) is associated with increased maternal and perinatal complications. Nevertheless, data on pregnancy outcomes of women who experience pruritus on a transient basis, but have normal bile salts and liver function tests (LFT) is scarce. METHODS: The maternal and fetal outcomes of 144 women with pruritus but normal bile salts and LFTs were compared with the next delivered patient without itch who matched for age, ethnicity and parity. RESULTS: The study and contr...
Ref: 20080501-13
Pregnancy - Health outcomes of incarcerated pregnant women and their infants in a community-based program
Author: Barkauskas VH; Low LK; Pimlott S
In 1996, the United States (US) imprisoned approximately 138,000 women, of which an estimated 25% were pregnant or had babies under a year old. More than half of these were on drugs, especially cocaine, and over half of their babies were preterm. Previous studies have shown that prison can help women by ‘buffering’ them from their stressful lives and providing better nutrition. But women prisoners have a very negative view of health care providers. They are usually separated from their babies so...
Ref: 20021118-7
Pregnancy - Health outcomes of incarcerated pregnant women and their infants in a community-based program
Author: Barkauskas VH; Low LK; Pimlott S
In 1996, the United States (US) imprisoned approximately 138,000 women, of which an estimated 25% were pregnant or had babies under a year old. More than half of these were on drugs, especially cocaine, and over half of their babies were preterm. Previous studies have shown that prison can help women by ‘buffering’ them from their stressful lives and providing better nutrition. But women prisoners have a very negative view of health care providers. They are usually separated from their babies so...
Ref: 20021118-7
Pregnancy - Pregnant women's perceptions of abuse
Author: `Haggerty LA; Kelly U; Hawkins J; et al
Objective: To determine whether pregnant women's perceptions of abuse severity and danger, and their ability to control the abuse, are significantly correlated with the acts of abuse they experience, and to find out whether relationships exist among women's appraisals of abuse severity, danger, and their perceived ability to stop the abuse. Design: A correlational design was used to compare the abusive acts experienced by the women and their perceptions of that abuse. Setting: Nine prenatal clin...
Ref: 20010711-11
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| | Labour & Birth | Top |
| | Labour and Birth - An estimation of intrapartum-related perinatal mortality rates for booked home births in England and Wales between 1994 and 2003
Author: Mori R; Dugherty M; Whittle M
OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to obtain the best estimate of intrapartum-related perinatal mortality (IPPM) rates for booked home births. DESIGN: A population-based cross-sectional study. SETTING: England and Wales. SUBJECTS: All births in England and Wales, including home births (intended or unintended) occurring between 1994 and 2003. METHODS: All IPPM data were derived from the Confidential Enquiry into Maternal and Child Health. Denominators were derived by using unintended home...
Ref: 20080327-6
Labour and Birth - Timing of umbilical cord clamping: midwives' views and practice
Author: Airey R; Farrar D; Duley L
Early clamping of the umbilical cord is widely practised. Delaying clamping increases placental transfusion. Although this is associated with benefits when compared with early clamping, such as a reduction in anaemia in infancy, the overall impact on mother rand baby remains unclear. To assess the feasibility of conducting a randomized trial we surveyed practice in a UK maternity unit with a policy of active management. Sixty-three delivery suite midwives were invited to complete a questionnaire...
Ref: 20080408-14
Labour and Birth - Effect of timing of umbilical cord clamping of term infants on maternal and neonatal outcomes (Cochrane Review). (Date of most recent substantive update: 16 April 2008)
Author: McDonald SJ; Middleton P
Background: Policies for timing of cord clamping vary, with early cord clamping generally carried out in the first 60 seconds after birth, whereas later cord clamping usually involves clamping the umbilical cord greater than one minute after the birth or when cord pulsation has ceased. Objectives: To determine the effects of different policies of timing of cord clamping at delivery of the placenta on maternal and neonatal outcomes. Search strategy: We searched the Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbir...
Ref: 20080417-15*
Labour and Birth - Delayed umbilical cord clamping at birth has effects on arterial and venous blood gases and lactate concentrations
Author: Wiberg N; Kallen K; Olofsson P
OBJECTIVE: To estimate the influence of delayed umbilical cord clamping at birth on arterial and venous umbilical cord blood gases, bicarbonate (HCO3-), base excess (BE) and lactate in vigorous newborns. SETTING: University hospital. DESIGN: Prospective observational. SAMPLE: Vaginally delivered term newborns. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Umbilical cord arterial and venous blood was sampled repeatedly every 45 seconds (T(0)= time zero; T(45)= 45 seconds, T(90)= 90 seconds) until the cord pulsations spo...
Ref: 20080424-45
Labour and Birth - Vaginal birth after caesarean or repeat elective caesarean — negotiating a decision pathway
Author: Maycock L
This article is based on an assignment undertaken as part of a BSc in Midwifery at a UK university. The assignment required critical evaluation and demonstration of the decision making process using Page’s (2000) five steps of evidence-based midwifery. The scenario used for the focus of the assignment was a caseloading midwifery model offering support to a multiparous woman with a history of a primary caesarean. The decision making process would be utilised to decide whether in this subsequent p...
Ref: 20080818-5
Labour and Birth - More in hope than expectation: women's experience and expectations of pain relief in labour. A review
Author: Lally JE; Murtagh MJ; Macphail S
Background: Childbirth is one of the most painful events that a woman is likely to experience. Lack of knowledge about the risks and benefits of the various methods of pain relief can heighten anxiety. Women are increasingly expected, and are expecting, to participate in decisions about their healthcare. Involvement should allow women to make better informed decisions; the UK National Institute for Clinical Excellence has stated that we need effective ways of supporting pregnant women in making ...
Ref: 20080401-38*
Labour and Birth - The modified WHO partograph: do we need a latent phase?
Author: Kwast BE; Poovan P; Vera E; et al
The objective was to study the frequency and mode of delivery of women admitted in the latent and active phase of labour in St. Luke's Catholic Hospital in Wolisso, Southwest Shoa Zone, Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia. It was a descriptive, retrospective design. Admission phases of labour and mode of delivery were collected for seven months. The modified World Health Organization (WHO) partograph was introduced in Wolisso in January 2007. Analysis of mode of delivery of women admitted in the lat...
Ref: 20080812-6#
Labour and Birth - Explaining obstetric interventionism: technical skills, common conceptualisms, or collective countertransference?
Author: Cherniak D; Fisher J
Presents a range of views held by clinicians working with pregnant women, which impact on the professional-patient relationship and can sometimes have an adverse effect on maternity care, contributing to the medicalisation of childbirth, particularly with regard to caesarean section. Analyses the origins, validity and possible outcomes of these assumptions. (65 references) (JSM)...
Ref: 20080908-10*
Labour and Birth - Time to make a splash: a literature review on the use of water for labour and birth to inform service provision
Author: Rafferty L
The objective in writing this literature review was to take a proactive role in the development of water birth services in Ireland. To date, the only published Irish data with reference to water birth focuses on the death of an infant following a water birth in a regional maternity unit in 2006 (O’Halloran 2008, Tuteur 2008). A neonatal death under any circumstances is a catastrophic event for all the family and the professionals concerned. The devastating effect of this event was further height...
Ref: 20081118-64#
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| | Postnatal | Top |
| | Postnatal - Accidental dural puncture and post dural puncture headache in obstetric anaesthesia: presentation and management: a 23-year survey in a district general hospital
Author: Sprigge JS; Harper SJ
Post dural puncture headache can be a debilitating complication of epidural and subarachnoid anaesthesia for a new mother. In a survey of 18,337 epidurals and 5021 subarachnoid blocks performed for obstetric procedures over a 23-year period in a district general hospital maternity unit, there were 167 recognised accidental dural punctures after epidurals (0.91%), with 147 patients (88%) developing post dural puncture headache. In addition there were 52 post dural puncture headaches after subarac...
Ref: 20080103-35*
Postnatal - Going home after instrumental birth
Author: Ross A; Dickinson F; Soltani H
Amber Ross, Fiona Dickinson and Hora Soltani argue that midwives transferring women home after instrumental delivery would avoid duplication of postnatal examinations. (Author). MIDIRS abstract: In its published format there is no structured abstract, therefore in this review, the appropriate information has been included by the reviewer. Aim: This paper has two aims; the first to record postnatal care given by both medical and midwifery personnel in relation to women who had experienced an inst...
Ref: 20080313-71
Postnatal - Early weeks after premature birth as experienced by Latina adolescent mothers
Author: Neu M; Robinson J
OBJECTIVE: To examine the early adaptation challenges and strengths of young mothers with preterm infants. STUDY DESIGN: Naturalistic inquiry was used to obtain a subjective description of the postpartum experience of 12 adolescent Latina mothers who enrolled in an intervention study subsequent to the preterm birth of their first baby. Intervention visits with the mother and infant offered the opportunity to repeatedly observe them and discuss with the mother her views on this life transition. R...
Ref: 20080603-6
Postnatal - Iron deficiency through the female life cycle — who needs to care?
Author: Evans M
This article looks in detail at the subject of iron deficiency throughout a woman's life, starting with a description of how a fetus lays downs stores of iron in the last weeks of pregnancy, through to how pregnancy and childbirth will affect haemoglobin levels. Iron is an important mineral and a lack of it at any stage of life will have a long-lasting impact on health. The effects of iron deficiency anaemia at every stage of a woman's life is described, as are the process of iron absorption and...
Ref: 20080818-8
Postnatal - Time to listen: strategies to improve hospital-based postnatal care
Author: Schmied V; Cooke M; Gutwein R; et al
BACKGROUND: In Australia and internationally, women report high levels of dissatisfaction with hospital-based postnatal care. AIM: To design and implement strategies to improve hospital-based postnatal care at a Sydney metropolitan hospital. METHOD: This was an Action Research study. In Phase One, midwives considered the literature and participated in group discussions and interviews to determine their perceptions of postnatal care and the factors that facilitate or hinder the provision of quali...
Ref: 20080827-81
Postnatal - Postpartum consultation: occurrence, requirements and expectations
Author: Carlgren I; Berg M
Background: As a matter of routine, midwives in Sweden have spoken with women about their experiences of labour in a so-called 'postpartum consultation'. However, the possibility of offering women this kind of consultation today is reduced due to shortage of both time and resources. The aim of this study was to explore the occurrence, women's requirements of, and experiences of a postpartum consultation, and to identify expectations from women who wanted but did not have a consultation with the ...
Ref: 20080901-70*
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| | Neonatal & Infancy | Top |
| | Neonatal and Infancy - Neonatal jaundice and stool production in breast- or formula-fed term infants
Author: Buiter HD; Dijkstra SS; Elferink RF; et al
It has remained unclear whether the amount of fecal fat excreted in the stool and stool production influences the severity of neonatal jaundice. We determined the relationship between stool production, fecal fat excretion and jaundice in healthy breast-fed (BF) or formula-fed (FF) (near-)term neonates. From postnatal day 1-4, we quantitatively collected stools from 27 FF and 33 BF infants in daily fractions. Stool production and fecal fat contents were related to unconjugated bilirubin (UCB) lev...
Ref: 20080402-56*
Neonatal and Infancy - Conscientious objection: a potential neonatal nursing response to care orders that cause suffering at the end of life? Study of a concept
Author: Catlin A; Volat D; Hadley MA; et al
This article is an exploratory effort meant to solicit and provoke dialog. Conscientious objection is proposed as a potential response to the moral distress experienced by neonatal nurses. The most commonly reported cause of distress for all nurses is following orders to support patients at the end of their lives with advanced technology when palliative or comfort care would be more humane. Nurses report that they feel they are harming patients or causing suffering when they could be comforting ...
Ref: 20080417-66
Neonatal and Infancy - Kangaroo mother care diminishes pain from heel lance in very preterm neonates: a crossover trial
Author: Johnston CC; Filion F; Campbell-Yeo M; et al
Background: Skin-to-skin contact, or kangaroo mother care (KMC) has been shown to be efficacious in diminishing pain response to heel lance in full term and moderately preterm neonates. The purpose of this study was to determine if KMC would also be efficacious in very preterm neonates. Methods: Preterm neonates (n = 61) between 28 0/7 and 31 6/7 weeks gestational age in three Level III NICU's in Canada comprised the sample. A single-blind randomized crossover design was employed. In the experim...
Ref: 20080605-51*
Neonatal and Infancy - Lavender bath oil reduces stress and crying and enhances sleep in very young infants
Author: Field T; Field T; Cullen C; et al
Very young infants were given a bath with or without lavender-scented bath oil. The mothers in the lavender bath oil group were more relaxed, smiled and touched their infants more during the bath. Their infants looked at them a greater percentage of the bath time and cried less and spent more time in deep sleep after bath. The cortisol levels of this group of mothers and infants significantly decreased, confirming the behavioral data showing increased relaxation of the mothers and their infants....
Ref: 20080619-29*
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| | Maternity Services | Top |
| | Maternity Services - Cueing prenatal providers effects on discussions of intimate partner violence
Author: Calderon SH; Gilbert P; Jackson R; et al
BACKGROUND: Intimate partner violence (IPV) during pregnancy poses a significant health risk to the mother and developing fetus. Practice guidelines recommend that prenatal providers screen for and counsel their patients about IPV, yet many physicians express reluctance or discomfort regarding such discussions. The Health in Pregnancy (HIP) computer program was designed to improve prenatal providers' counseling about behavioral risks. METHODS: English-speaking women 18 years or older, less than ...
Ref: 20080129-49*
Maternity Services - Obstetric care of Jehovah's Witnesses: a 14-year observational study
Author: Massiah N; Athimulam S; Loo C; et al
Over a 14-year period, the obstetric outcome of Jehovah's Witnesses in an inner city hospital was reviewed and the effect of refusal of blood on morbidity and mortality evaluated. Ninety women had 116 deliveries and of these, 24% were delivered by caesarean section, 10% had instrumental deliveries and 66% were normal vaginal deliveries. Postpartum haemorrhage of >1,000 mls occurred in 6% and postpartum anaemia was the commonest complication. The mean postdelivery haemoglobin (11.10 +/- 1.15 g/dl...
Ref: 20080226-56*
Maternity Services - Influence of moving to the UK on maternal health behaviours: prospective cohort study
Author: Hawkins SS; Lamb K; Cole TJ; et al
OBJECTIVE: To compare health behaviours during pregnancy (smoking and alcohol consumption) and after birth (initiation and duration of breast feeding) between British/Irish white mothers and mothers from ethnic minority groups; and, in mothers from ethnic minority groups, to examine whether indicators of acculturation (generational status, language spoken at home, length of residency in the United Kingdom) were associated with these health behaviours. DESIGN: Prospective nationally representativ...
Ref: 20080514-68
Maternity Services - Migration and health behaviour during pregnancy
Author: Perreira KM
Immigrant women adopt poorer health behaviour after migration. (12 references) (Author)...
Ref: 20080514-66
Maternity Services - Should we offer umbilical cord blood banking to parents?
Author: Duff E
This title was the subject of a symposium held on 16 July 2008 and this article describes the proceedings — the terminology, ethics, use of cord blood, and the processes involved in collection. (VDD)...
Ref: 20080818-14
Maternity Services - Low rates of mother-to-child transmission of HIV following effective pregnancy interventions in the United Kingdom and Ireland, 2000-2006
Author: Townsend CL; Cortina-Borja M; Peckham CS; et al
AIM: In the United Kingdom (UK) and Ireland, avoidance of breastfeeding and alternative combinations of antiretroviral therapy regimen and mode of delivery are recommended according to maternal clinical status. The aim of this analysis was to explore the impact of different strategies to prevent mother-to-child transmission at a population level. DESIGN: Comprehensive national surveillance study. METHODS: Pregnancies in diagnosed HIV-infected women in the UK and Ireland are notified to the Natio...
Ref: 20080617-48*
Maternity Services - Outcome of Newborn Hearing Screening Programme delivered by health visitors
Author: Basu S; Evans KL; Owen M; et al
Background The Newborn Hearing Screening Programme (NHSP) was introduced in England in 2001 to detect congenital hearing loss in the newborn. The screen is either hospital- or community-based. Objectives This is the first large-scale study of community-based NHSP published in the United Kingdom which aims to evaluate the performance of the community-based screen and compare it against national targets for NHSP and the outcome of national pilot projects.
Method Hearing screening data recorded ...
Ref: 20080828-13*
Maternity Services - Catherine, Paul and Annabel
Author: Turner C
A personal account by Catherine Turner of her experiences attending antenatal parent education classes in Australia. (ABS)...
Ref: 20081118-82#
Maternity Services - New ways with young mothers — how services can better meet their needs
Author: Brady G; Brown G; Wilson C; Letherby G
Whilst the government is focusing on reducing the rate of teenage pregnancy by 50% by 2010 (DfES 2006), support and services available to young women when they do fall pregnant need to be improved in order to reduce their risk of social exclusion. The primary message which professionals, like midwives, can learn from this research is to relate to young parents as individuals. Encounters between the young women and the practitioners will be more productive and, if young parents feel that they hav...
Ref: 20081118-77#
Maternity Services - First-time expectant fathers and their influence on decision making regarding choice for place of birth
Author: Mottram L
Aim: To examine first-time expectant fathers’ views concerning their perceived influence surrounding place of birth. Design: Qualitative study using tape-recorded semi-structured interviews and thematic networks as an analytical tool. Setting: The south west of England.Participants: Five first-time expectant fathers, four planning hospital births and one a home birth.Findings: All men involved in the study felt that they did have an influence over their partner’s decision making regarding place ...
Ref: 20081118-79#
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| | News & Views | Top |
| | News and Views - The new mum's guide to sex. Rediscover passion after childbirth
Author: Foux R
Soon after giving birth, many mums feel exhausted, unhappy with their appearance and completely bewildered about who they are. And with sore breasts, flabby tummies, discomfort down below and a new baby to look after, it's understandable that sex takes a back seat. In The New Mum's Guide to Sex, maternity therapy expert Rachel Foux helps new mothers adjust to their altered identity as a woman, partner and lover, whilst taking on the new responsibilities of motherhood. She gives a no-holds-barred...
Ref: 20070625-79*
News and Views - Acupuncture in pregnancy and childbirth. Second edition
Author: West Z
Acupuncture in Pregnancy and Childbirth Second Edition is a concise highly illustrated and practical guide to using acupuncture to treat women throughout their pregnancy and labour. Drawing on an unparalleled wealth of experience as a midwife and an acupuncturist, the author has produced a book accessible to both acupuncture students and practitioners covering physiology related to pregnancy and childbirth, illuminating links between Western knowledge and acupuncture approaches and suggesting po...
Ref: 20071220-20*
News and Views - Fathers-to-be handbook. A road map for the transition to fatherhood
Author: Houser PM
Men becoming fathers today face new challenges as they increase their involvement in the family and participation in the birth of their children. Using real stories and solid research the author provides information, ideas and tools to assist expectant and new dads in navigating this territory. Men are also presented with innovative ways to support their partner and child as the family enters this new phase of life together. (Publisher). MIDIRS review: Men’s lives, and fatherhood in particular h...
Ref: 20080130-16*
News and Views - Quick reference for the lactation professional
Author: Lauwers J
This guide provides the lactation clinician with rapid access to critical information when working with breastfeeding mothers. Designed for all levels of healthcare staff who work with breastfeeding mothers, this user-friendly tool allows nursing staff to be equipped with the same information and skills as the lactation consultant and is essential to carry on the floor and at the bedside. (Publisher). MIDIRS review: This pocket-sized book is, as the title indicates, aimed at ‘lactation consultan...
Ref: 20080221-41*
News and Views - The midwives' guide to key medical conditions: pregnancy and childbirth
Author: Wylie L; Bryce H
The authors, experienced lecturers in this field, cover conditions as diverse as epilepsy, lupus, diabetes and HIV. An essential text for all health professionals dealing with childbearing women. (Publisher). MIDIRS review: Having agreed to review this book, I waited in anticipation of its arrival courtesy of the Royal Mail, expecting a particularly large parcel being carried up my drive by an out of breath local postman. I was, therefore, somewhat disappointed by the minimalist size of the book...
Ref: 20080416-16*
News and Views - Teach yourself baby massage and yoga
Author: Epple A; Carpenter P
Baby Massage and Yoga will introduce you and your child to the benefits of massage and to some simple yoga stretches. The sensible, step-by-step advice and techniques are designed to help you deepen both your bond and your child's development at every level. (Publisher). As an infant massage instructor I was very keen to read and review this book and I’m really impressed. It’s a great resource for infant massage teachers, midwives, health visitors and of course parents. Although it perhaps lacks...
Ref: 20071022-31*
News and Views - Disability in pregnancy and childbirth
Author: McKay-Moffat S
Although an increasing number of women with disabilities are having children, the needs of this minority group are not always being effectively met. Disability in Pregnancy and Childbirth provides essential practical information to healthcare professionals working with this group. (Publisher). This timely and informative book fills the void where so few books are available that discuss how women living with a disability feel about using maternity services in the UK. Concrete examples are given w...
Ref: 20070914-23*
News and Views - Study skills for nursing and midwifery students
Author: Scullion P; Guest D
An essential course companion for all nursing and midwifery students and degree or diploma level, as well as those returning to study. The book covers all the key skills and knowledge bases needed to succeed as a nursing student, including study strategies, reflective learning, literature searching, using evidence, exams and assessment, career choices and CPD. (Publisher). At first glance, I was dubious as to whether this book would be any different from the plethora of other study skills books ...
Ref: 20070914-22*
News and Views - Pre-teen and teenage pregnancy: a twenty-first century reality
Author: Leishman J; Moir J
Childhood and teenage pregnancy continues to pose significant social and health concerns within the UK and beyond. It is an issue that has implications for individuals across a range of professions and disciplines. This book is written for nurses, midwives, doctors, social workers and teachers, as well as students of sexual and reproductive health and welfare. It highlights some of the issues faced by sexually active young people and those who work with them. It will also be useful to general re...
Ref: 20070823-42*
News and Views - Evidence-based care for midwives. Clinical effectiveness made easy. 2nd edition
Author: Brayford D; Chambers R; Boath E; et al
This highly practical book is written specifically for midwives, having been developed from the best-selling Clinical Effectiveness and Clinical Governance Made Easy, Fourth Edition. Requiring no prior knowledge, it provides a straightforward guide to the topics of clinical effectiveness and clinical governance, avoiding jargon but explaining relevant terms in the context of practical midwifery. (Publisher). I wish this book had been around some years back, as it is very readable. It is what I w...
Ref: 20071220-23*
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