Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Made To Fit A Woman: Riding Uniforms Of The Frontier Nursing Service, Donna C. Parker

SCL Faculty and Staff Publications

The riding uniform of the Frontier Nursing Service (FNS) conveyed a powerful image of the nurse-midwife as authority figure and professional. In the eastern Kentucky mountains the FNS nurse brought desperately needed health care to the people. Their distinctive, horizon-blue uniform provided instant recognition, and therefore protection, to the nurse-midwife who relied on local residents for help. The sensible, military-styled uniform reinforced the nurse’s authority and reassured patients of receiving expert care. The dress unified staff working towards a common goal making them feel like a family and team. Wearing her uniform proudly, the properly attired nurse represented the high …

A Comparison Of Three Midwifery Interventions On The Continuity And Knowledge Of Breast Feeding, Athalie Johnston

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

Although it is widely recognised that breast milk is biologically perfect to provide nutrition for the newborn infant many new mothers do not continue to breast feed throughout the postpartum period. A possible influencing factor is the decreased length of hospital stay, whereby new mothers are discharged home away from the supportive-educative role of the midwife before they are ready to learn the art of breast feeding. The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of three midwifery interventions on the continuity and knowledge of first time breast feeding mothers at 6 weeks postpartum. A convenience sample of …

The Relationship Between Episiotomy And Perineal Lacerations And Perineal Pain Following Childbirth, Christine J. White

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

One of the major contributions that midwives can make to the comfort and well-being of child-bearing women is the skilful care of the perineum during delivery. This study investigated the short and long-term effects of perineal trauma in order to provide a basis for decision-making in the midwives' perineal management at delivery and client self-care. Specifically, the study examined the relationship between the extent of perineal trauma and the intensity and duration of perineal pain during the first three months following a vaginal birth; and compared discomfort among mothers whose perineal trauma was the result of an episiotomy, perineal, vaginal …

The Effectiveness Of Salt Baths In Post Partum Perineal Healing, Patricia Dey

Theses : Honours

Midwives have advocated the use of salt baths for the relief of perineal trauma in post partum women because they believe in their therapeutic powers in an extensive review of the literature no scientific evidence has been found to support this belief. The use of salt baths bas been discontinued in favour of showers and normal hygiene in many obstetric units. The purpose of this study is to discover whether the faith of the believers is misplaced or justified. It is designed to contribute to the body of knowledge of current nursing practice and provide a scientific base for change. …

Prophylatic Cord Care: Is It Necessary?, Karen Coyle

Theses : Honours

Since the evolution of 'open' cord care in 1974, the umbilical cord of the newborn has been treated prophylactically with many different forms of antibacterial solutions. Recent studies have demonstrated that cord separation is facilitated by bacteria and many of the current treatments, such as the use of alcohol, actually delay separation. The purpose of this study was to compare cleaning the cord with alcohol to dry cord care, a method of cord care which is now being considered as an acceptable alternative to prophylactic umbilical cord treatment. A convenience sample of 205 babies was taken from a small private …

Measuring Midwives Accuracy Of Estimating Blood Loss, Christine J. White

Theses : Honours

This study focused on the assessment of blood loss during childbirth by attending midwives. It is very important that the volume of blood loss during childbirth be reported with accuracy. However, it is traditionally accepted that the most commonly used method of estimating blood loss is' inaccurate, This study attempted to determine the accuracy of the attending midwives' visual estimation of blood loss, during vaginal delivery, by measuring all blood loss with electronic weighing scales and comparing it to their visually estimated figures. One hundred and seven women, booked for confinement at a large metropolitan hospital, were selected for the …

The Relationship Of Abdominal Breathing And Relaxation During Labor, Loann Mac Dougall, Judith Miller

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

A causal-comparative, study was done in a university hospital using twelve subjects to determine if the "unprepared" patient could learn and carry out abdominal breathing during contractions. It was hypothesized that the "unprepared" patient in early labor could be taught and could carry out deep slow abdominal breathing during uterine contractions with decreased skeletal muscle tension as measured by an electromyograph.

Two tools were used for data collection, (1) a portable electro myograph to obtain an objective evaluation of the effect of abdominal breathing upon skeletal muscle relaxation; and (2) a supplementary data sheet for the collection of identifying material …

The Effect Of The Shave On Infection In Maternity Patients, Doris Christine Bethea

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The purpose of this study was to find out if the shave routinely received by maternity patients could be limited to the perineal area without increasing the incidence of infection among these patients. The experimental method, with the parallel group technique and a single variable, was used.

The study was conducted at two hospitals; the White Memorial Hospital in Los Angeles, California, called Hospital A; and the Washington Sanitarium and Hospital in Takoma Park, Maryland, referred to as Hospital B. Data were collected on ninety clinic patients at Hospital A and on two-hundred and one private patients at Hospital B. …