Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Effects Of Labor Support From Doulas On Birth Outcomes, Mattea Jo Otten

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Background/Purpose: Women using a doula for support during labor and childbirth is increasing, with 6% of women in 2012 utilizing doulas (Dekker, 2017). The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists [ACOG] recommends one-to-one labor support to improve labor outcomes. The purpose of this literature review was to determine the effects of labor support from doulas on birth outcomes. Theoretical Framework: Kolcaba's Theory of Comfort can be used during childbirth. This theory focuses on relief, ease, and transcendence, allowing women the opportunity to rise above the pain and experience comfort, even when their pain is not gone. Doula support is intended …

Maternal Outcomes Of Women Who Prefer To Communicate In English Compared To Women Who Prefer To Communicate In A Language Other Than English In New England, Katharine Green

Doctoral Dissertations

Introduction: Language acquisition is the primary marker of acculturation to the dominant society in a receiving geographic area, and effective communication in English is a marker of acculturation in the United States. There is good evidence that women who receive midwifery care have improved maternal outcomes, and that women who are not well acculturated to the dominant culture in the United States have improved neonatal outcomes. However, the maternal outcomes of women who do not communicate in English are not well studied, nor is it known whether care during parturition by physicians when compared to nurse midwives makes a difference …

Variations To Birth Outcomes With Labor And Delivery Doula Support, Nicole I. Hunter-Severson

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Background/Purpose: The purpose of this critical appraisal of the literature is to discern if there are variations to birth outcomes as a result of having a doula present as a continuous support during labor and delivery. Theoretical/Conceptual Framework: Watson’s (2010) Theory of Human Caring will be the framework for this literature appraisal. Dr. Watson’s theory is founded on holistic care that involves putting a heart-centered caring process into action based upon Watson’s 10 carative factors. Methods: Thirty research articles that were relevant to the scope of variations to birth outcomes as a result of having a doula present as a …

Factors Affecting The Midwifery-Led Service Provider Model In Pakistan, Surriya Shahnaz, Rafat Jan, Arusa Lakhani, Rozina Sikandar

Journal of Asian Midwives (JAM)

Background: Pakistan has a high rate of maternal and infant mortality, and a shortage of skilled birth attendants (SBAs). Many efforts have been made through the health sector and the international agencies to resolve the problem of both a high Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) and Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR), but the desired outcomes have not been achieved so far. Literature shows that midwifery plays a significant role in the reduction of MMR and IMR in other parts of the world, and the implementation of a Midwifery-led Service Provider Model could help reduce these rates in Pakistan. This study aims to …

Women’S Health Disparities And Midwifery Care, Adeola Oni-Orisan, Dorothy Hiersteiner, Althea Swett

Publications from the Center for Women in Politics and Public Policy

This fact sheet was developed for the roundtables project “Midwifery Care in New England: Addressing the Needs of Underserved and Diverse Communities of Women.” Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office on Women’s Health (Region I), this initiative addresses the challenges and opportunities related to the provision of midwifery care to underserved and vulnerable populations of women. The project aims to increase our understanding of regional midwifery workforce needs in the context of ensuring that all women living in New England have access to timely, affordable, and high-quality health care.

The September 2010 roundtables were …

Women’S Health Disparities And Midwifery Care: Spotlight On Connecticut, Dorothy Hiersteiner, Kaye Inandan

Publications from the Center for Women in Politics and Public Policy

Although Connecticut’s Medicaid programs, Husky A and B, are essential providers of coverage for maternity care, there are still major racial and ethnic disparities in access to, use of, and quality of prenatal care in Connecticut. The cesarean birth rate in the state is almost 9% higher than the US average. African American/black and Hispanic mothers experience comparatively high rates of low birth weight births. Furthermore, Connecticut is home to a substantial rural population which experiences unique challenges to accessing adequate health care. While 75% of the Connecticut population is non-Hispanic white, 9% is African American/black, 12% is Hispanic and …

Women’S Health Disparities And Midwifery Care: Spotlight On Maine, Dorothy Hiersteiner

Publications from the Center for Women in Politics and Public Policy

With a large percentage of its population living in rural areas, Maine faces obstacles to providing adequate prenatal and maternity care to many women. The vast majority (96.2%) of Maine residents are non-Hispanic white, 1.2% are African American/black, 1.4% are Hispanic and 1.2% have other racial/ethnic backgrounds.

Women’S Health Disparities And Midwifery Care: Spotlight On Massachusetts, Dorothy Hiersteiner

Publications from the Center for Women in Politics and Public Policy

As a result of Massachusetts’ 2006 health insurance coverage law, there has been a significant decrease in the uninsurance rate for women of color. Access to and use of health care for all women in the Commonwealth has also increased. Despite these coverage and access gains, major racial/ethnic disparities in health conditions and outcomes still exist among women, especially in the use and quality of prenatal care, the occurrence of preterm and low birth weight births, and infant mortality rates. The proportion of Massachusetts births that were cesarean deliveries in 2007 was 8% higher than the national rate. Compared to …

Women’S Health Disparities And Midwifery Care: Spotlight On New Hampshire, Dorothy Hiersteiner

Publications from the Center for Women in Politics and Public Policy

New Hampshire faces significant obstacles to serving the nearly 6% of the population living in medically underserved areas. In addition, many residents of New Hampshire are uninsured, limiting their access to vital medical care. According to 2007-8 data, the racial/ethnic breakdown of New Hampshire residents is: 1% African American/black, 2% Hispanic, 94% non-Hispanic white and 3% Other. In 2005, 5.9% of the total New Hampshire population was foreign born.1 Since 1996, New Hampshire has seen increases in low birth weight births, cesarean births2, and infant mortality with racial/ethnic disparities reflected in most maternal and infant indicators.

Women’S Health Disparities And Midwifery Care: Spotlight On Vermont, Dorothy Hiersteiner

Publications from the Center for Women in Politics and Public Policy

In Vermont, racial and ethnic dispariti es in low birth weight and preterm birth rates exist alongside racial and ethnic disparities in health insurance coverage and use of preventative care. As of 2005, the percentage of racial and ethnic minorities in Vermont was approximately 3.3%, compared to 25% for the nation as a whole. In 2005, 3.4% of the Vermont population was foreign born.

Women’S Health Disparities And Midwifery Care: Spotlight On Rhode Island, Dorothy Hiersteiner

Publications from the Center for Women in Politics and Public Policy

Rhode Islanders face unique health disparities based on race, ethnicity and location. Just over six percent (6.3%) of the Rhode Island population is living in Primary Care Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs), according to 2008 data. Native American and African American/black communities face particular health disparities, specifically in the areas of reproductive and infant health. In 2008, 79% of the Rhode Island population was non-Hispanic white, while 5% was African-American/black, 11% was Hispanic and 5% had other racial/ethnic backgrounds. In 2005, 12.4% of the total Rhode Island population was foreign born.