Maternal, Child Health and Neonatal Nursing Commons^™

Ricketts, Hunter Christian, B. 1997 (Fa 1382), Manuscripts & Folklife Archives

FA Finding Aids

Finding aid only for Folklife Archives Project 1382. Project completed by Hunter Ricketts in fall 2019 regarding Mennonite health practices as part of a WKU folk studies class on Field Methods in Ethnography.

Does Pre-Pregnancy Bmi Predict Transfer To A Hospital From A Birth Center For Pain Management?, Audrey Fleenor

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing Undergraduate Honors Theses

Background:Birth centers are staffed predominantly by midwives and nurses who care for a patient population consisting of low-risk pregnancies. The American Association of Birth Centers requires that the birth center has an agreement with a local hospital to transfer patients if need-be before, during or after delivery in case any complications arise that may result in needing alternative care (Rathbun, 2017). The rate of obesity in the United States has been rising for years. Obesity affects overall health as well as a woman’s pregnancy and pregnancy outcomes. Overall, an obese individual does not prioritize physical exercise and lacks healthy …

Addressing Barriers To Maternal Healthcare For Marshallese Islanders In Northwest Arkansas: An Internship Experience, Victoria Richardson

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing Undergraduate Honors Theses

The Marshallese community is a rapidly growing population in Northwest Arkansas. Approximately 12,000 people migrated from the Marshall Islands and settled in the state of Arkansas due to the signing of the Compact of Free Association (COFA) in 1986. Although the population in Northwest Arkansas is experiencing rapid growth, there are significant health disparities that coincide with it. Due to vast cultural differences, language barriers, low economic status, and political barriers, the Marshallese community suffers from prenatal health inequalities and poor maternal and fetal outcomes, including low birth-weight infants, premature births, and increased infant mortality. During my internship, I provided …

Implementing A Community-Based Breastfeeding And Infant Support Tent At University Of Arkansas Athletic Events, Moranda Clark

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing Undergraduate Honors Theses

Breastfeeding is such an important role in a mother and baby’s relationship as it establishes a unique bond while also providing health benefits for both parties involved. Unfortunately, many women are discriminated against for trying to breastfeed in public and with little to no designated breastfeeding areas or sanitary places in such spaces; they are left with very few viable options. During the last year I have been completing an internship surrounding the subject of breastfeeding and have helped to implement a breastfeeding and infant support tent at University of Arkansas athletic events. My work has included extensive research, lactation …

Willow Creek Women's Hospital Internship, Destinee Ross

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing Undergraduate Honors Theses

While the use of midwifery is proven to improve outcomes for low-risk mothers and infants, many healthcare providers, nurses, and patients in Northwest Arkansas continue to be skeptical about utilizing midwifery care. During my internship, I worked directly with labor and delivery nurses, physicians, and a midwife at Willow Creek Women’s Hospital and provided high-quality care to women during their birthing process. This hospital focuses entirely on women and infant care and provides gynecological, obstetric, and newborn services. Willow Creek Women’s Hospital is also one of the few hospitals in Arkansas to implement a certified nurse-midwife (CNM) and has two …

Fathers' Experiences With Their Premature Infants Or Unhealthy Neonates, Lisa Cummings

Dissertations

Author: Lisa Cummings PhD RN

Fathers’ Experiences with Their Premature Infants or Unhealthy Neonates

Purpose and Background/Significance: Fifteen million babies worldwide are born prematurely each year, impacting a multitude of fathers. The importance of an early close father-infant relationship has been identified as central for the development of the child. Fathers influence on a child’s emotional and cognitive development and their physical well-being and health. Many times, the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) is the initial contact environment between a father and his premature infant. Studies have shown that the NICU can be a stressful environment for parents, producing emotional …

A Review Of The Association Between Vitamin D And Postpartum Depression, Christa Fernando

Other Undergraduate Research

Vitamin D (specifically vitamin D3) is a lipid soluble essential nutrient. It is found in few foods naturally but can be synthesized upon skin exposure to sunlight. Its intermediate structure in the blood is serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D, also called calcidiol, and is formed in the liver. Vitamin D receptors have been found in numerous areas of the brain that are involved in mood-related hormone production. It has also been found to be protective against the brain degradation of Alzheimer’s. Numerous studies have found a significant relationship between vitamin D and major depressive disorder. This review summarizes research on the connection …

Prenatal Yoga In Pregnancy, Ashleigh Clingenpeel

Senior Honors Theses

Prenatal yoga has emerged as an advisable, beneficial, and supportive addition to birth preparation. Many studies have linked participation in prenatal yoga with both maternal and infant benefits. Physical benefits for the mother include decreased labor time, decreased labor pain, and improved comfort during pregnancy. Significant emotional and mental effects have also been correlated, such as lowered rates of depression and anxiety, increased self-efficacy in labor, and easier transitions into the postpartum period. Finally, prenatal yoga has demonstrated benefits to the neonate, with a greater number of vaginal deliveries, which are less traumatic for the infant, an increase in gestational …

Fetal Myocardial Performance Index In The Third Trimester Of Pregnancy: Feasibility And Reproducibility Of Conventional Spectral Doppler Versus Spectral Tissue Doppler Technique, Lea M. Porche, Elena Sinkovskaya, Rachel D. Seaman, Hadiza I. Galadima, Letty Romary, Jennifer Philips, Alfred Abuhamad,

Community & Environmental Health Faculty Publications

Objective: This study aims to compare completion rates and reproducibility of myocardial performance index (MPI) using conventional spectral Doppler versus tissue Doppler in an unselected high-risk third trimester population.

Study Design: This was a prospective cross-sectional study of high-risk pregnancies at ≥28 + 0 weeks’ gestation. Conventional spectral and tissue Doppler MPI of the left ventricle (LV) and right ventricle (RV) was attempted on all patients.

Results: Seventy-nine pregnancies were evaluated. LV tissue Doppler MPI was completed more frequently than LV conventional spectral Doppler MPI (63/79, 79.7% vs. 45/79, 55.7%), p-value

Conclusion: Tissue Doppler had statistically higher completion rates than …

Std Education Among African American Women: An Educational Improvement Initiative, Marqueta V. Abraham

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Research reveals there is a knowledge gap facing African American women regarding sexual health education, specifically sexually transmitted diseases. The Sexually Transmitted Disease Knowledge Questionnaire (STD-KQ) was used to assess participants’ knowledge and attitudes regarding sexually transmitted diseases. The STD-KQ self-assessment was administered to African American women and utilized to develop a 45-minute education seminar to bridge the knowledge gap. After an education seminar was held, a posttest was administered to test the women’s knowledge and to determine their level of awareness. Using a paired-samples t test, the researcher found an overall increase in awareness of the types of sexually …

Improving Patient Flow By Increasing Early Discharges On A Mother & Baby Unit, Faye Weir, Joy Moody, Kathleen Cyr, Cathy Palleschi, Stephen Tyzik, Joseph East, Heidi Morin, Suneela Nayak, Ruth Hanselman, Amy Sparks

Operational Transformation

Discharging patients early in the day has many advantages amongst which is increased bed availability. However, the experience in a large academic tertiary medical center demonstrated that most discharges occurred early to mid afternoon. A care team on a mother /baby unit established a quality improvement project to increase the number of discharges by 11AM and streamline key discharge planning activities.

A root cause analysis identified multiple barriers to attaining he established goals. To address these barriers, a multi prong approach was instituted to include a discharge education KPI for all unit staff.

Data collection post countermeasure implementation demonstrated some …

Visual Boards To Improve Compliance With Administration Of Glucose Gel, Bonnie Hibbs

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Capstones

The purpose of this quality improvement project is to increase staff compliance of administering glucose gel for the treatment of newborn hypoglycemia through use of a daily management board. Through improved compliance to gel administration, the project further seeks to decrease NICU admissions for hypoglycemia, decrease formula supplementation of breastfed newborns, and improve exclusive breastfeeding rates at discharge.

Postpartum Depression In Women Whose Babies Were Admitted To The Nicu: An Integrative Literature Review, Tara Winkelmann

Grace Peterson Nursing Research Colloquium

Background: Postpartum depression is a major depressive disorder that can occur anytime during pregnancy and for up to a few weeks after giving birth. Postpartum depression affects a significant proportion of women who have given birth, regardless of the birth outcomes. Mothers who had their babies admitted into the NICU face a different postpartum experience than mothers who had healthy babies, which increases their risk for developing postpartum depression.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine if women whose babies were admitted to the NICU were at a higher risk for developing postpartum depression, and how depression screenings …

The Effectiveness Of Psychotherapy In The Treatment Of Postpartum Depression, Elisa De Feo

Grace Peterson Nursing Research Colloquium

ABSTRACT

Background: Suicide is the second leading cause of death in postpartum women making it a major health priority. Lack of diagnosis, recognition of symptoms, and proactive treatment of postpartum depression (PPD) can lead to devastating effects on the mother and child such as harm or death. The intervention of psychotherapy is recommended as a first line treatment for PPD and is a means by which PPD can be reduced or avoided altogether. This integrative literature review seeks to discover if there is an opportune time in which to initiate psychotherapy interventions in order to reduce or prevent PPD development …

The Role Of Nurses' Knowledge Of Postpartum Complications And Its Effects On Maternal Mortality Rates In The United States: An Integrative Literature Review, Elizabeth Reid

Grace Peterson Nursing Research Colloquium

Background:The maternal mortality rate for the United States of America still remains the highest of all developed countries with 20.7 deaths per 100,000 live births with the CDC estimating that 60% of all of the deaths were preventable.

Objectives: The purpose of this integrative literature review was to identify the common causes of maternal mortality and nurses’ knowledge of these issues and how they apply this knowledge to care for and provide discharge education to patients.

Methods: This integrative literature review was conducted with the key words “maternal mortality, maternal morbidity, postpartum, nurse’s education, complications, quality of care, discharge …

“Code Labor”: An Evidence Based And Interdisciplinary Approach To Managing Women Experiencing Precipitous Labor Outside Of The Labor And Delivery Unit, Rachel Wooten, Rachel Smedley

Research, Publications & Creative Work

Local Problem: Precipitous deliveries can incite adverse obstetrical events and poor outcomes. In one rural northern Alabama hospital, 75-100 babies are delivered monthly with an average of two precipitous deliveries occurring monthly.

Objective: The intent of the work was to address a cohort of obstetrical (OB) and emergency department (ED) nurses’ knowledge gaps regarding the care of women experiencing precipitous labor outside of the labor and delivery (L&D) unit. DESIGN A quasi-experimental design aimed at quality improvement at the healthcare system’s level was developed. A non-probability, quota sampling method was used to gather data.

Participants: Fifty-seven ED and OB RNs …

Assessing Changes In Knowledge About And Self-Efficacy For Neonatal Resuscitation Among Rwandan Nurses And Midwives After A Mentorship Process, Gerard Nyiringango

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

In the first minute of life after birth, it is critical to effectively manage an infant’s respiratory status. Given the critical nature of newborn airway management, it is vital that health professionals have the knowledge and confidence to engage in airway management procedures. Consequently, there has been a call for nurses and midwives to be prepared to skillfully enact neonatal resuscitation interventions when required, especially in low-resource environments, to help reduce neonatal death. The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of a mentorship program that involves an education component for neonatal resuscitation in the first minute after …

Assessing The Impact Of Mentorship On Rwandan Nurses’ And Midwives’ Knowledge And Self-Efficacy In Managing Postpartum Hemorrhage, Marie Grace Sandra Musabwasoni

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Despite recent advances in medical technology and research, postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) remains the top universal cause of maternal morbidity and mortality. Factors underlying PPH include the inconsistency in recognition and timely treatment of women experiencing PPH, which suggests the importance of healthcare professionals’ mentorship about PPH. The aim of this study is to assess the impact of mentorship on nurses’ and midwives’ knowledge and self-efficacy in managing PPH. The pre and post study design recruited 141 nurses and midwives working in the labour and delivery department in selected health centers from the North Province of Rwanda. At post-mentorship, 123 nurses …

Comprehensive Staff Education And Implementation Of A Checklist Tool To Increase Staff Adherence To Pitocin Titration Protocols, Tara N. Cassell

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This quality improvement project was designed to increase staff adherence to an existing Pitocin titration protocol used in a labor and delivery unit at a community hospital. In the current U.S. health care climate, safe patient care is paramount and the Institute for Safe Medication Practices identified Pitocin as a high-alert medication. Evidence-based practice recommends the use of a titration protocol to guide proper use of Pitocin. Prior research has shown improvements in patient outcomes when facilities implement Pitocin titration protocols, with staff adherence key to the successful implementation of evidence-based titration protocols, which may be improved with the use …

Presenting The Good Mother: Experiences Of Canadian Adolescent Mothers Living In Rural Communities, Karen A. Campbell, Corinne Hart

The Qualitative Report

Adolescent mothers and their children are at risk for suboptimal health outcomes making adolescent motherhood a public health concern. However, the experiences of rural-living adolescent mothers are not well understood. Using Lieblich, Tuval-Mahiach, and Zilber’s (1998) narrative methodology approach, the experiential accounts of three rural-living adolescent mothers was explored. Reflecting Goffman’s (1959) presentation of self, the findings of this study revealed how adolescent mothers attempted to construct and present their notion of being a good mother, while coping with complicating rural factors. The need to present as a good mother, the lack of anonymity associated with rural living, and geographical …

Increasing Nursing Competence And Confidence During Obstetric Emergencies Through Simulation: A Quality Improvement Project, Tram Wallen

Dissertations

Problem: This quality improvement project aimed to improve the knowledge and confidence of the mother/baby nursing staff during postpartum hemorrhages through in situ simulation. PPH is a leading cause of maternal death. Hospitals across the U.S. lack a standard approach to managing obstetric emergencies; the complications of childbirth are often identified too late. Multidisciplinary simulation-based team training has been associated with improved outcomes in obstetrics.

Methods: A convenience sample of 26 registered nurses (RNs) that care for postpartum patients attended a one-hour instructor-led presentation followed by in situ simulations of postpartum hemorrhage. A knowledge assessment and confidence survey were administered …

Depression Screening In Antepartum Females, Michelle Burk

Dissertations

Problem: Perinatal mood disorders, including depression, affects one in five pregnant or postpartum females. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and the US Preventative Task Force (USPTF) recommended screening for depression at least once during the antepartum and postpartum periods. The purpose of this quality improvement initiative was to introduce depression screening using the patient health questionnaire (PHQ) in antepartum women in a Midwestern private OB-GYN practice.

Methods: An observational, descriptive, cohort design utilizing a retrospective record review was used to evaluate for PHQ depression screening. A convenience sample of antepartum patients at/or around 36-weeks gestation was studied. …

Improving Maternal Outcomes Through Labetalol Algorithm Utilization For Hypertensive Disorders Of Pregnancy, Hailee B. Taylor

Dissertations

Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy can have negative effects on both mothers and neonates and are a major contributor to the increasing morbidity and mortality affecting women pregnant women in the United States. Treatment algorithms are available for treatment of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy when treatment criteria are met. With proper use of these algorithms, healthcare personnel can decrease the mortality and morbidity rates, which will increase patient safety and decrease healthcare spending. This research project focused on implementing The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists’ (ACOG) Labetalol treatment algorithm to treat patients diagnosed with severe preeclampsia. Prior to implementation, data …

The Effects Of Rape Trauma And Ptsd On The Childbirth Process, Helena Kevorkian

Grace Peterson Nursing Research Colloquium

Abstract

Background: Sexual trauma, including rape and childhood sexual abuse, takes a toll on the survivor emotionally and physically. With the invasive procedures, physical exposure and feelings of loss of control related to childbirth, the survivor may become triggered and become retraumatized. Through an integrative literature review, the effects of rape trauma and PTSD on the childbirth process were identified.

Objective: The purpose of this integrative literature review was to determine the effects of rape trauma and PTSD on the childbirth process. Through determining the effects, a greater understanding will be gained on how to best approach a situation with …

Formula And Milk Food Insecurity Amongst Infants And Children In Wic Families, Kristen Hench

Grace Peterson Nursing Research Colloquium

No abstract provided.

Exploring Parental Wishes And Personhood In The Grey Zones Of Neonatal Resuscitation, Alison Lindsay

Honors Projects

The intense societal debate churning around the moral status of fetuses includes topics such as qualifications for personhood, the role of the autonomous decisions of a fetus’ mother, and the obligations of society to protect fetuses. This paper analyzes extending this discussion to newborns in five sections. The first section presents a literature review of responses to a philosophical paper about the respective interests of parents and fetuses and newborns, elaborating on aspects of personhood and parental decision-making. The second section presents a literature review of medical and nursing discussion around resuscitation for extremely premature newborns, focusing on similar evaluations …

Ibuprofen Does Not Increase Blood Pressure In Preeclampsia, Sofia Costas, Sherry Hutton, Cindy Kenyon

Books, Presentations, Posters, Etc.

Objective: The aim of this IRB approved study was to evaluate the impact of ibuprofen on Mean Arterial Pressure (MAP) in the immediate postpartum period of women with preeclampsia.

Design: A retrospective chart audit of 633 preeclampsia patients who had treated severe hypertension (BP > 160/105) during their hospital stay.

Setting: Metropolitan Level 3 facility in Portland OR.

Patients/Participants: 169 patients met criteria; received magnesium sulfate postpartum and had severe hypertension postpartum. 60 were randomly selected, 30 received ibuprofen, 30 did not.

Methods: Baseline was obtained at 2 hours postpartum. Each patients MAP for each 24 hour interval were …

Just Culture: It's More Than Policy, Linda Ann Paradiso, Nancy Sweeney

Publications and Research

Any healthcare organization’s top priority is effective and safe care. Despite this, medical error is the third-leading cause of death in the US. Hospitals are imperfect systems where nurses have competing demands and are forced to improvise and develop workarounds. Errors rarely occur in a vacuum, rather they’re a sequence of events with multiple opportunities for correction. Clinical nurses can have a significant impact on reducing errors due to their proximity to patients. When errors are identified, the events and impact on safe care need to be shared. Just culture is a safe haven that supports reporting. In a just …

Understanding The Impact Of A Perinatal Mood And Anxiety Disorders Phone Support Line, Diana Nguyen, Semira Semino-Asaro

Doctor of Nursing Practice Final Manuscripts

Postpartum depression affects one in every seven women and anxiety is estimated to range from 13-21% in new mothers. Risk factors include prior diagnosis of depression, family history of depression, having medical complications during childbirth including a premature baby and a lack of social, emotional support. The purpose of this evidence-based practice project was to increase the amount of data gathered by a local perinatal support organization by analyzing the callers’ demographics through phoneline surveys and use the information to expand resources and access to care for mothers with perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs). The project was guided by …

Telephone Follow Up For Obstetrical Triage, Ann Grimshaw

Doctor of Nursing Practice Final Manuscripts

TELEPHONE FOLLOW UP FOR OBSTETRICAL TRIAGE VISITS

Ann Grimshaw, RN, MSN, CNS

Clinical Nurse Specialist

Doctorate of Nursing Practice, Student

University of San Diego, School of Nursing

San Diego, CA

Purpose: To reduce a patient’s knowledge deficit related to plan of care after an unscheduled obstetric triage through follow up phone calls.

Rationale and Background: Up to 75% women during their pregnancy will present to an unscheduled visit in obstetrical triage with questions about their own health and the health of their unborn newborn. The majority of these visits will result in discharge from obstetrical triage prior to delivery of …