Nursing Midwifery Commons^™

Capturing Women's Birth Experiences Through Photos, Kristen Montgomery, Betsy Crabtree, Samantha Grayson, Alyssa Harmon, Rachael Robbins, Sarah Shelton, Hannah Sobas, Alexis Taliaferro, Nolan Willard

Epsilon Sigma at-Large Research Conference

Purpose: Each year 3.5 to 4 million women give birth in the United States. Childbirth is a life-changing event that induces various emotions in women. Many women report having a negative experience due to short staffing, inadequate care, and a loss of autonomy. Aims: The aim of the study was to understand what factors contribute to a positive or negative birth experience.

Methods: A descriptive qualitative study was conducted using photo elicitation. Photos were collected from participants and included a description of how the photo represented the participant’s experience. Demographic data were collected through a survey. Participants …

Freestanding Birth Centers-Safety And Efficacy Related To Maternal And Neonatal Outcomes: An Integrative Review, Nicole Lynn Muzik, Casey Renee Workman

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Introduction: The goal of this literature review is to determine the safety of community birth by evaluating if low-risk pregnant women at term, who deliver in the community setting, specifically at freestanding birth centers, have comparable or lower maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality outcomes, than low-risk women who deliver at an in-hospital birthing facility.

Methods: The authors of this integrative review retrieved original research articles from computerized databases (Nursing and Allied Health, PubMed, and CINAHL), as well as online journal hand searching, followed by cited reference searching. A total of 48 articles underwent a full-text review, and a total …

Beyond Tradition: Exploring The Underlying Factors Of Delayed Cord Clamping, Sehar Aslam

Journal of Asian Midwives (JAM)

Delayed cord clamping (DCC) benefits mothers and infants by improving iron levels and neurodevelopmental outcomes while reducing neonatal complications. It is a crucial intervention, especially where iron-rich foods are scarce. Despite its advantages, DCC is often neglected due to medical complications, inconsistent policies, and clinical time constraints. Promoting DCC requires comprehensive education, clear protocols, interdisciplinary collaboration, and adequate skilled staffing. This paper emphasizes the importance of consistent DCC practices to enhance maternal and infant health and urges healthcare providers and parents to prioritize DCC in birth plans.

Where's My Baby? A Feminist Phenomenological Study Of Women Experiencing Preventable Separation From Their Baby At Caesarean Birth, Linda J. Deys, Valerie Wilson, Sara Bayes, Shahla Meedya

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Problem: Separating women and babies immediately after birth contributes to poor birth experience and reduced satisfaction. Background: A negative birth experience can impact a woman's transition to motherhood and emotional well-being beyond the newborn period. Separating women from their baby at birth is known to reduce birth satisfaction and is more likely to happen at caesarean section births. Question: What is the experience of women who are separated from their baby after caesarean section birth without medical necessity? Methods: Unstructured, in-depth phenomenological interviews were conducted with fifteen women who had been separated from their well-baby at caesarean section birth. Data …

Ensnared Care: How Restrictive Healthcare Laws Impact Mothers, Mckenzie Richards

School of Public Policy Capstones

Do restrictive healthcare policies impact whether expectant mothers receive adequate prenatal care? Could such policies also affect access to alternative birthing options for delivery? Through a literature review and a two-way fixed effects model using panel data, this study investigates two categories of state-level restrictive healthcare policies: scope of practice laws and certificate of need laws. The literature demonstrates the detriments of scope of practice care on access to care and maternal health. However, the statistical models presented on scope of practice find no relationship between scope of practice laws and adequate prenatal care or alternative birthing options. Though the …

Prevalence And Factors Associated With Stillbirths Among Women Giving Birth In Four Hospitals Of Eswatini- A Multi-Centre Study, Phetsile Nolungelo Thwala

MSc in Advanced Practice Midwifery

Background: Stillbirth, a component of perinatal mortality, remains a global burden, with approximately 2 million occurring annually worldwide and mostly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). There is a dearth of studies on stillbirth in some Low-middle income countries, such as Eswatini. The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence and associated factors for stillbirths among women giving birth in four selected hospitals in Eswatini.

Methods: A quantitative unmatched case-control study was conducted using records of stillbirths (cases) and live births (controls) from July 1 to December 31, 2021. Consecutive sampling and systematic random sampling were …

Evidence-Based Guidelines For Intrapartum Maternal Hydration Assessment And Management: A Scoping Review, Lauren Kearney, Alison Craswell, Nellie Dick, Debbie Massey, Rachael Nugent

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Problem: Inconsistent practice relating to intrapartum hydration assessment and management is reported, and potential harm exists for laboring women and birthing persons. Background: Labor and birth are physically demanding, and adequate nutrition and hydration are essential for labor progress. A lack of clear consensus on intrapartum hydration assessment and management during labor and birth currently exists. In addition, there is an inconsistent approach to managing hydration, often including a mixture of intravenous and oral fluids that are poorly monitored. Aim: The aim of this scoping review was to identify and collate evidence-based guidelines for intrapartum hydration assessment and management of …

Effects And Outcomes Of Different Laboring Positions And The Influence From Societal Norms, Amberlyn Heskett

Nursing | Senior Theses

Background

Within labor and delivery, every birth is different. Alarmingly, the U.S. has the highest maternal mortality rate, including death during labor, among developed countries (World Health Organization, 2022). Many maternal deaths may be preventable.

In the U.S., the use of forceps, vacuum-assisted birth, episiotomies, and emergency C-sections are common for women during childbirth. Even though some laboring positions may assist birthing more than others, there often is resistance to allowing various positions due to outside influences, including societal norms, hospital management, and healthcare professional training. Women in labor are vulnerable and look to their nurses for support during the …

Midwifery Care's Potential To Improve Birth Outcomes And Experiences For Black Women And Infants, Neville Wintergerst-Burch

Undergraduate Theses

Black women and infants experience higher morbidity and mortality rates compared to white women and infants in the United States. Forces of systemic racism and poverty often lead to inadequate access to prenatal care for Black women, and care received is often compromised by implicit bias or barriers related to insurance coverage, impersonal provider-patient relationships, and poor healthcare literacy. Despite the rich history of Black Granny midwives in the United States, most Black women began using physicians for obstetric care in the 20th and 21st centuries. This integrative review explores how improving access to midwifery care for Black women could …

Perinatal Care In Western Uganda: Prevalence And Factors Associated With Appropriate Care Among Women Attending Three District Hospitals, Mercy Muwema, Dan K. Kaye, Grace Edwards, Gorrette Nalwadda, Joanita Nangendo, Jaffer Okiring, Wilson Mwanja, Elizabeth N. Ekong, Joan N. Kalyango, Joaniter I. Nankabirwa

School of Nursing & Midwifery, East Africa

Background: Perinatal mortality remains high globally and remains an important indicator of the quality of a health care system. To reduce this mortality, it is important to provide the recommended care during the perinatal period. We assessed the prevalence and factors associated with appropriate perinatal care (antenatal, intrapartum, and postpartum) in Bunyoro region, Uganda. Results from this study provide valuable information on the perinatal care services and highlight areas of improvement for better perinatal outcomes.

Methods: A cross sectional survey was conducted among postpartum mothers attending care at three district hospitals in Bunyoro. Following consent, a questionnaire was …

Breeching The System: An Exploration Of Women’S Experiences In Western Australia And Breech Birth Recommendations, Sara Elizabeth Morris

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

Breech presentation creates division in the consumer and healthcare communities. A number of studies report the use of scare tactics and bullying from clinicians, when women express a preference for vaginal birth after the diagnosis of a breech presenting fetus. Despite evidence showing that vaginal birth of a breech presenting fetus is safe in the presence of an appropriately skilled and experienced clinician, Caesarean Section is the primary mode of birth for breech presenting fetuses, which has resulted in a global lack of accessibility to breech birth experienced practitioners and birth mode options for women. Women planning a vaginal breech …

The Effects Of Sexual Abuse On Birth: Obstetric Outcomes, Maternal Experience, And Professional Intervention, Katelyn Alexandra Neufeld, Patricia Nguyen

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Background/Purpose: The purpose of this literature review is to determine how a past history of sexual abuse impacts labor and birth and what strategies can be used to help mitigate retraumatization. The desire is that this review will encourage further studies and the creation of guidelines and interventions to be used in maternal care settings. Theoretical Framework: The Neuman Systems Model is a theoretical framework utilized in this paper. It provides a framework for identifying stressors, assessing a patient's response, developing strategies/treatments to move women back toward stability, and adapting practices to reduce triggers from occurring in the first place …

Reversing The Spiral Of Fear, Sara Morris

ECU Posters

Introduction: The proposed poster aims to bring about discourse regarding current breech birth practices. Outlined within are factors which have contributed to the current state of breech birth, not only in Australia but on a global scale and highlights steps which have been taken by others and may be used in Western Australia (WA) to reverse the spiral of fear currently surrounding breech birth. There is currently no literature pertaining to the state of breech birth in WA.

The publication of the Term Breech Trial (TBT) in 2000, the lack of trust and the need to control the birthing environment, …

Are Midwifery Students Adequately Prepared For Vaginal Breech Birth In Clinical Practice?, Steffne Nel, Sadie Geraghty

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

While the value of the clinical skills and expertise required to enable safe vaginal breech birth remains high, midwives who possess these skills are becoming scarce. Additionally, for many midwifery students, vaginal breech birth is becoming somewhat of an elusive event, rarely experienced in clinical practice when completing their training. Not so long ago, this was a standard competency taught to and held by obstetricians and midwives alike, but for those in developed nations working within robust healthcare systems, the frequency of planned vaginal breech birth is on a downward trend, and this is reflected in midwifery educational curriculums.

The Effect Of Alternative Labor Positions Versus The Lithotomy Position On Birthing Outcomes: An Integrative Literature Review, Kelsey Gaffka

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Traditionally, the lithotomy position is the most commonly used birthing position in western cultures. The purpose of this literature review was to examine the differences in maternal and neonatal outcomes when alternative labor positions are used. Implications for future use of alternative labor positions were explored. Peer reviewed, English-language research articles published from 2009 to 2015 were included for synthesis. Study results revealed that the lithotomy position is linked to multiple negative maternal outcomes. Birthing in a water pool or in a lateral position has been linked to more optimal maternal and neonatal outcomes compared to other positions. Health care …

Sexual And Reproductive Health And Rights Of Aymara Women In The Intercultural Health System In Chile / Salud Y Derechos Sexuales Y Reproductivos De Las Mujeres Aymara En El Sistema De Salud Intercultural De Chile, Ariela Schnyer

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

This investigation seeks to understand how Aymara women navigate their sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) in Chile’s intercultural health care model. Indigenous communities have their own practices that complicate the provision of sexual and reproductive health by requiring health care providers to be aware of two different worldviews and how they may conflict, as well as what is necessary to provide respectful care. However, an ethnically and culturally pertinent framework is vital to actually assuring successful SRHR provision, whose tenants include autonomous choice and care free of discrimination, coercion or violence. These interactions were investigated through semi-structured interviews …