Maternal, Child Health and Neonatal Nursing Commons^™

The Cortico-Limbo-Thalamo-Cortical Circuits: An Update To The Original Papez Circuit Of The Human Limbic System, Jochen Profit, Paul J Sharek, Xin Cui, Courtney C Nisbet, Eric J Thomas, Daniel S Tawfik, Henry C Lee, David Draper, J Bryan Sexton

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

OBJECTIVES: Key validated clinical metrics are being used individually and in aggregate (Baby-MONITOR) to monitor the performance of neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). The degree to which perceptions of key components of safety culture, safety climate, and teamwork are related to aspects of NICU quality of care is poorly understood. The objective of this study was to test whether NICU performance on key clinical metrics correlates with caregiver perceptions of safety culture.

STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study of 6253 very low-birth-weight infants in 44 NICUs. We measured clinical quality via the Baby-MONITOR and its nine risk-adjusted and standardized subcomponents (antenatal corticosteroids, …

Dancing During Labor: Are Women Down To Boogie?, Drew A. Horter, Kayla Heslin, Marie Forgie, Emily Malloy, Jessica J. F. Kram

Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

Recent social media trends have demonstrated increased interest in dancing during the final weeks of pregnancy and labor. However, there is limited evidence about dancing during labor and its impact on labor pain and duration as well as patient satisfaction. Before conducting a prospective study, given that enrollment is often challenging, our feasibility study aimed to assess the willingness of pregnant women to participate in a future study evaluating low-impact dance during labor. We anonymously surveyed a convenience sample of English-speaking/reading pregnant women who presented for prenatal care at 1 of 3 clinics from June 2019 to July 2019. Questions …

Contraceptive Methods In The United States: The Question Of Abortive Mechanisms, Tara Ferenczy

Senior Honors Theses

This thesis reviews the many methods of contraception available in the United States. Although society’s understanding of women’s health has become a major topic, there is still a significant deficit of information regarding how the accessible methods affect women’s bodies, specifically reproductive tissue. The thesis analyzes numerous contraceptive options focusing specifically on the mechanisms of action to determine whether options have abortifacient properties so that readers may develop educated opinions regarding medical and ethical uses. Information involving strengths and limitations of each technique and the effects on both the female body and the reproductive material assist in understanding the process …

Barriers And Facilitators To Opioid Use Treatment And Recovery Services During Pregnancy, Loralie Woods

Dissertations

Purpose: To identify barriers and facilitators to opioid use treatment and recovery services among pregnant and nonpregnant women who misuse opioids.

Background: Over 130 Americans die daily after overdosing on opioids. Women have not been immune from opioid use disorders (OUDs), with a 4-fold increase from 1999-2010. The prevalence of opioid use among pregnant women increased from 1.5 per 1,000 hospital deliveries to 6.5. Although the annual National Surveys on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) has provided information on risk factors for OUD related to socioeconomic and demographic factors, no studies using this data have identified barriers to opioid use …

Determining The Knowledge And Practices Of Obstetrics Healthcare Professionals Regarding Maternal Intrapartum Pertussis Vaccination Administration, Kristie Mattix

Doctor of Nursing Practice Scholarly Project

Pertussis is a contagious respiratory disease that can occur in all age groups. Signs and symptoms of pertussis, however, are worse in infants and young children; likewise, the rates of severe cases, hospitalizations, and deaths are higher in this group as well. Vaccination against pertussis is the most effective way to combat this illness. In the last 15 years, there have been a number of changes in the recommendations regarding vaccination against pertussis. In order for these recommendations to be followed, healthcare professionals must be aware of the guidelines as well as be knowledgeable about the condition they are trying …

Availability Of & Access To Prenatal Care & The Effects On Maternal & Infant Mortality Rates: A Comparison Of Central American Countries, Costa Rica & Guatemala, Joanne Danae Youngblood

Theses and Dissertations

Costa Rica and Guatemala share similarities in history, culture, and a relatively congruous geopolitical philosophy. Yet despite these superficial parallels, access to prenatal care between the two countries is shockingly disparate. Costa Rican women have better access to prenatal care and both the maternal and infant mortality rates are comparable to more developed countries with significantly higher rates of economic development and higher spending on healthcare per capita. In juxtaposition, the lack of prenatal care within Guatemala’s health care system is a prime example of a country’s failure to implement protections and policies that promote and elevate the level of …

Reflection And Literature Review On Loving Choices Pregnancy Center Internship, Madison Stave

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing Undergraduate Honors Theses

This honors thesis involves a personal reflection and literature review of a nurse internship at Loving Choices Pregnancy Center in Fayetteville, AR. The purpose of this internship was to provide a learning experience in women’s and obstetrical health. Responsibilities included completing community resource projects and assisting staff and nurses in the Care Center and Pregnancy Clinic. To satisfy honors requirements, five learning objectives were created during the internship. These objectives were all met and reflected upon in the first part of this thesis. The second portion of this thesis involves a literature review of the socioeconomic and health-related risks of …

Description Of The Attitudes, Knowledge And Beliefs On Marijuana In Undergraduate Students Compared To Nursing Undergraduate Students, Maifrak Sobrino

Honors Scholar Theses

Introduction: The use of marijuana has drastically increased over the years. Not only is marijuana being used to treat personal symptoms, but some women use marijuana to manage pregnancy-related symptoms.

Objective: To discover the knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs of marijuana in the undergraduate student population at the University of Connecticut.

Method: A cross sectional study conducted through Qualtrics using a 15-questions survey, including 5-point Likert scale questions and 5 yes/no questions.

Result: Forty-nine non-nursing students completed the survey. Non-nursing students in comparison to the population as a whole agreed that marijuana use was okay (M = 3.959, SD = …

Attitudes, Knowledge And Beliefs On Marijuana Use In Pregnant Women In Undergraduate Nursing Students, Jordyn Witkins

Honors Scholar Theses

Introduction: Due to the decriminalization of marijuana use by states in the United States, marijuana use has drastically increased in the general populations and in women who are pregnant. During prenatal care, nurses provide education about pregnancy and fetal development.

Objective: This study explore the attitudes, knowledge and beliefs of undergraduate nursing students on marijuana use for individuals and during pregnancy.

Method: The study design was cross-sectional survey with 15-question survey using Likert scale and yes/no questions. Nursing students and non-nursing undergraduate students responses were compared.

Results: Sixty-four nursing students (female, n=50) completed the survey. Nursing students in comparison to …

First Trimester Prenatal Screening: Parent Education, Madison Vandiver

Honors College Theses

The healthcare field is constantly evolving, and consequently the ways that medical procedures are done is always changing. Advancements in medicine have made it possible to screen for chromosomal abnormalities earlier and for the screening to be done more accurately than ever before. This is accomplished through a first trimester screening performed between 11- 13 weeks gestation of the pregnancy. With this screening becoming more integrated into routine prenatal care and being offered to various women with a range of risk factors, it is important to offer many educational opportunities about the screening procedure. Provision of education to patients interested …

Dancing During Labor: Social Media Trend Or Future Practice?, Caroline P. Toberna, Drew Horter, Kayla Heslin, Marie M. Forgie, Emily Malloy, Jessica J. F. Kram

Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

Over the past 30 years, medical interventions in pregnancy and childbirth have increased. Some pregnant women seek less invasive and nonpharmacological options to manage discomforts during labor. While exercise during pregnancy is recommended, less is known about exercise, specifically dancing, during labor. While anecdotal evidence is supportive, little is known about the implications of exercise and dance during the first stage of labor for pain reduction and labor progression. Some movements common in dance, such as expanding hip circles that loosen and relax muscles of the pelvic floor, may be beneficial to women during labor. Available evidence suggests that dancing …

High-Risk Pregnant Patients In The Third Trimester: Comparing Mental And Physical Health, Megan Maxwell

MSN Capstone Projects

The purpose of the paper is to compare physical and mental health in high-risk pregnant patients in their third trimester who are managed in an inpatient setting compared to an outpatient setting. This paper looks at specific high-risk pregnancy diagnoses.

“Save My Baby”: The Lived Experience Of Hospitalized Pregnant Women With A Threat Of Preterm Birth, Dua' Yousef Al-Maharma, Inaam A. Khalaf, Fathieh Abu-Moghli, Sajeda Alhamory

The Qualitative Report

Activity restriction in hospital to prevent preterm birth (PTB) is widely used as the first step of treatment. It is associated with adverse physiological and psychological effects on maternal and fetal health that might persist years after birth. A sample of 10 pregnant women who were hospitalized for being at risk for PTB were purposively recruited to describe their lived experience via semi-structured in-depth interview. Five themes were identified, the maternal role establishment and suspending responsibilities, the women's perception of fear of uncertainty and finding support, dissatisfaction of care, the change of routine life and family relationships, and the cultural …

Non-Pharmacological Interventions For Alcohol, Marijuana, And Opioid Use During Pregnancy: A Systematic Review, Hannah Safranek, Madeline Frausto, Amy King, Stoneking Madison

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

The purpose of this review is to analyze evidence on prevalence of opioid, alcohol and marijuana use during pregnancy and answer the PICOT question: In pregnant women addicted to or using marijuana, opioids, and alcohol, how do non-pharmacological interventions, compared to standard care of pharmacological interventions alone, affect health outcomes in mothers and neonates between birth to hospital discharge? Diagnosis of substance use disorder is increasing and with it comes increased risk of complications to mother and neonate including neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS), fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) and other negative neonatal and maternal outcomes. Evidence was identified on the online …

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

Folklife Archives 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.

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 …

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 …

Associations Of First Trimester Co-Use Of Tobacco And Cannabis With Prenatal Immune Response And Psychosocial Well-Being, Kristin Ashford, Amanda Fallin-Bennett, Andrea Mccubbin, Amanda T. Wiggins, Sheila Barnhart, Joshua A. Lile

Perinatal Research and Wellness Center Faculty Publications

PURPOSE: This study aims to describe the association of first trimester co-use of tobacco and cannabis with maternal immune response and psychosocial well-being, relative to tobacco use only.

METHODS: A preliminary midpoint analysis included 138 pregnant women with biologically verified tobacco use, 38 of whom (28%) also tested positive for recent cannabis use. Maternal perceived stress (Perceived Stress Scale), depressive symptoms (Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale), and serum immune markers (IL-1β, IL-2, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, TNFα, CRP, MMP8), were collected, although cytokine data were only available for 122 women.

RESULTS: Participant average age was 29.1 years, approximately half had a high …

A Practical Understanding Of Preeclampsia For A Nurse In A Third World Setting, Anna Lovin

Senior Honors Theses

Preeclampsia is a disease of pregnancy that affects approximately 3-5% of women with child. It is one of the primary causes of mortality in mothers and babies across the globe. The exact cause, pathogenesis, or disease progression is unknown. Therefore, there is no definition of which patients are at risk for developing preeclampsia and what can work as a preventative measure. In high socioeconomic settings where there is good healthcare, standard treatment is established to manage the symptoms and decrease the progression of preeclampsia to eclampsia. However, in more rural, third-world settings of developing countries, caring for patients with preeclampsia …

Psychometric Development Of The Patient Engagement In Prenatal Care Scale, Phyllis M. Dyess-Nugent

Nursing Theses and Dissertations

The value of prenatal care in improving maternal and neonatal outcomes has been evident in research for many years, and yet in the U.S. where prenatal care is widely accessible to women, maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality remain higher than many developing countries (CDC, 2019). Attributes of prenatal care have been studied, such as the number of visits and timing of entry into care. Additional aspects of prenatal care deserve exploration in order to make improvements in this established, valuable intervention. A woman’s engagement in her care during pregnancy has not been previously measured. The focus of this dissertation …

Optimizing The Involvement Of Women With Opioid Use Disorder In The Care Of Their Infants Experiencing Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome, Rebecca Boedeker

Dissertations

The incidence of opioid use disorder (OUD) has grown to epidemic proportions. Infants exposed to opioids inutero are likely to experience withdrawal symptoms during the hours and days immediately following birth, known as Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS). Research indicates maximizing non-pharmacologic, supportive management decreases Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) admissions, the length of stay, and the severity of NAS. The purpose of this project is to evaluate the effects of an antepartum consult designed to prepare mothers with OUD to participate in this nonpharmacologic care. The Women and Infants Substance Help (WISH) Center delivers prenatal care for women with OUD. …

Perceptions Of Chinese Women Coming To The United States To Give Birth: Birth Tourism, Juanita Childs Jaramillo

Doctoral Projects

Birth experiences and perceptions vary greatly among different cultures. There has been an increase in Chinese women who specifically come to the United States (US) to give birth to their child and return back to their native country after being cleared at the postpartum checkup. This practice is known as birth tourism. The aim of this study is to explore the perceptions of childbirth and postpartum experiences among Chinese birth tourists. Twelve women self-identifying as Chinese, between the ages of twenty-four and thirty-eight, who came to the US to give birth to their child, and who were able to read …

Comparison Of Serum And Cervical Cytokine Levels Throughout Pregnancy Between Preterm And Term Births, Kristin Ashford, Niraj R. Chavan, Amanda T. Wiggins, Molly Malany Sayre, Andrea Mccubbin, Agatha S. Critchfield, John O'Brien

Nursing Faculty Publications

Objective To assess differences in cytokine levels in cervicovaginal fluid (CVF) and serum across trimesters between women with preterm births (PTBs) and full-term births.

Study Design This multicenter study enrolled 302 women with a singleton gestation. CVF and serum cytokines, interleukin 1α (IL-1α), IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, C-reactive protein (CRP), tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-8, were measured. Women with at least one cytokine assessment and noted PTB status in their medical record were retained in the study (N = 272). Data were analyzed using mixed modeling (main effects of PTBs and time/trimester).

Results For the CVF …

Pregnant Women's Knowledge About Fetal Movement Count, Jade Hanna Bowen

Honors Undergraduate Theses

BACKGROUND: Fetal movement count (FMC) is a non-invasive tool used to evaluate fetal well-being and prevent stillbirth. FMC decrease the chances of stillbirth occurrence (Tveit et al., 2009), but in other countries, research shows that women are not taught about the benefits of FMC (Berndl, O'Connel, & Mcload, 2013). The purposes of this study were to discover 1) the knowledge of pregnant women in their third trimester about FMC and 2) sources through which women learn about FMC.

METHODOLOGY: The study is a quantitative descriptive design. An original survey consisting of 12 questions was created for the study. Inclusion criteria …

The Effect Of Breastfeeding And Rooming-In Care On Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome, Rachel Boyer, Lindsay Gal, Mahaylie Cline

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Concurrent with a rise in opioid abuse during pregnancy is an increase in the number of babies born with Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS). Despite this crisis, no single treatment has been identified for NAS. This paper sought to analyze and synthesize research evaluating the effectiveness of breastfeeding and rooming-in care on the need and length of pharmacologic treatment and length of hospital stay for neonates with NAS. Twenty-six peer reviewed research articles published between 2006 and 2017 were selected from PubMed and CINAHL for analysis. The studies focused on neonates with NAS born to mothers addicted to opioids or undergoing …

Intimate Partner Violence And Its Impact On Pregnant Women And Their Infants: A Systematic Review, Rachel Ashley, Emily Pagni, Alissarh Choujaa

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Abstract

In the United States, about 324,000 pregnant women are victims of Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) annually. IPV is any type of physical, sexual, or emotional abuse of women or men in family units. IPV has detrimental effects on pregnant women and their babies, from their physical health to their mental health. It is important for nurses and other healthcare providers to have knowledge and understanding about IPV in this population and to use effective interventions and screening procedures. The purpose of this systematic review is to review and critically analyze evidence about IPV in pregnant women. The literature search …

Maternal Life Course Adversity: The Intersection Of Psychosocial And Biobehavioral Adaptive Response In Pregnancy, Crystal Modde Epstein

Theses & Dissertations

The link between life course adversity and adverse health outcomes is well established, particularly early life adversity (ELA). There is also evidence that the physiologic adaptations associated with stress, depression and ELA can be transmitted intergenerationally via long-term set-point changes within the maternal hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA). It is unknown how the type and timing of maternal stress and adversity influences HPA regulation during pregnancy and whether maternal coping attenuates this relationship. Manuscript 1 was an integrative review of studies examining the association between maternal ELA and HPA regulation during pregnancy. In manuscripts 2 and 3 the findings of the dissertation …

The Effects Of Continuous Insulin Pump Therapy On Glycemic Control In Pregnant Type 1 Diabetics, Kimberly Kelsey

Senior Theses

Type 1 Diabetics have various ways of managing their diabetes that have been studied for their effectiveness. Pregnancy in the Type 1 Diabetic has been understudied. It is known that Diabetics in general have poorer pregnancy outcomes because of poor glycemic control. This coupled with the fact that the body needs 3-4 times more insulin as pregnancy comes to an end makes managing blood glucose levels challenging for diabetics (Lowdermilk, 2016, p. 689). For the Type 1 Diabetic, there are two main ways to control diabetes: multiple daily injections using at least two type of insulin and continuous subcutaneous insulin …

Tailoring A Nicu-Based Tobacco Treatment Program For Mothers Who Are Dependent On Opioids, Amanda Fallin-Bennett, Kristin Ashford

Nursing Faculty Publications

Objective—To collect formative information to design a tailored tobacco treatment intervention for women with newborns treated or evaluated for neonatal abstinence syndrome and to explore current tobacco use behaviors and facilitators and barriers to smoking cessation.

Design—Qualitative descriptive study.

Setting—An academic medical center in the southern United States.

Participants—Mothers of newborns who were treated or evaluated for neonatal abstinence syndrome at birth within the preceding three months. Women were recruited who were older than 18 and reported opioid dependence and smoking during pregnancy.

Methods—Participants took part in semi-structured individual interviews that lasted approximately one hour. …

Associations Between Pre-Pregnancy Weight Status And/Or Gestational Weight Gain And Obesity In Older Children, Marisa P. Hammond

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Childhood obesity is a global health concern that puts children at risk for developing serious health complications. With increasing rates worldwide, it is important to determine how to decrease its prevalence and promote prevention in future generations. Emerging evidence indicating that pre-pregnancy weight status and/or gestational weight gain (GWG) may be linked with overweight/obesity in children. Much of this body of research focused on weight status of offspring at birth and at preschool age. The purpose of this study is to: (1) analyze the research findings regarding obesity in children 5 to 18 years and their mother’s pre-pregnancy weight status …