Nursing Midwifery Commons^™

Fear Of Childbirth As A Perinatal Comorbidity: An Integrative Review, Michelle T. Mcmanus, Ashely N. Payne

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Fear of childbirth (FOC) and tokophobia have a significant impact on one in every five pregnant women and is associated with enhanced levels of anxiety, depression, pre-traumatic stress, and has led to increased requests for elective cesarean sections. Given the influence that it has on birth mode and perceived birth experience as well as postpartum wellbeing, it stands to reason that FOC represents an often-overlooked aspect of perinatal mental health.
This capstone reviews cohort, cross-sectional, randomized, and quasi-experimental studies examining prevalence, correlations, and consequences of FOC. It evaluates antenatal education, midwife-led support, and cognitive behavioral therapy as potential interventions. Outcomes …

Elevated Bmi And The Effect On Breastfeeding Duration In Postpartum Individuals: An Integrative Review, Abigail E. Mobilia, Kirstin A. Wyly

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Introduction: It has been well documented that exclusive breastfeeding provides benefits for infants and postpartum individuals, yet rates remain suboptimal in the United States, particularly among those with elevated pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI). Evidence suggests that elevated BMI is associated with shorter breastfeeding duration and may be influenced by physiologic, social, and structural factors. This integrative review synthesizes existing literature to clarify the relationship between elevated BMI and exclusive breastfeeding duration among postpartum individuals.
Methods: An integrative review was conducted following Whittemore and Knafl’s (2005) framework and PRISMA 2020 guidelines. A systematic search of PubMed, CINAHL, and Nursing & …

Gestational Diabetes Mellitus And Its Psychological Impacts During Pregnancy And Postpartum, Nehemie B. Hypolite, Charline Fast

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Introduction: This review explores the link between gestational diabetes (GDM) and psychological outcomes. GDM affects 8–10% of pregnancies and is typically diagnosed at 24–28 weeks. This burden leads to anxiety, depression, and fear. Postpartum concerns often persist for mother and infant.

Methods: Whittemore and Knafl’s (2005) method was used to synthesize data. The research databases included CINAHL and PubMed. Covidence supported screening and PRISMA diagram development. Key search terms included “anxiety and GDM,” “depression and GDM,” “GDM and postpartum depression,” “gestational diabetes,” and “pregnancy.” Inclusion criteria included full-text articles published after 2010, original studies, patients undergoing diabetic treatment (medication and/or …

The Impact Of Patient-Centered Care On Women With Infertility And Pregnancy Loss: An Integrative Review, Kaidynce R. Sweazy

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Introduction: Infertility affects roughly 17.5% of adults worldwide, while pregnancy loss occurs in up to 30% of pregnancies. These reproductive traumas increase the risk of developing a mental health disorder, such as anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The purpose of this review is to identify the influence of patient-centered care on psychological outcomes and experiences of care in women with infertility and pregnancy loss.
Methods: A literature search of the PubMed and Cinahl databases was conducted for original studies published from January 2016 to January 2026 that address the psychological outcomes and/or experiences of women who experienced infertility …

The Placenta & Covid-19: Histological Changes & Clinical Implications, Melissa F. Paul, Allyson J. Zadlo Sensor

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic presented the medical community with complex and novel challenges, not the least of which is how to optimize prenatal and postnatal care for pregnant individuals who have been infected. At present, seven years have elapsed, and despite definitive research demonstrating adverse outcomes associated with placental changes, no professional consensus has been reached.
Methods: This integrative review includes studies involving pregnant individuals with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection, who recovered during the same pregnancy, and their infants. An examination of the data available reveals a triad of placental pathologies (chronic histiocytic intervillositis, perivillous fibrin deposition, and trophoblast necrosis) that …

Socioeconomic Influences On Doula Access And Perceived Care Quality Among Black Women Experiencing Severe Maternal Morbidity, Deborah Esene

2026 Spring Honors Capstones Projects

Black women experience disproportionately high rates of maternal morbidity and mortality, making it essential to examine access to and the perceived impact of doula support. This study examines whether socioeconomic status influences access to and the perceived benefits of doula support among Black women who experienced severe maternal morbidity (SMM). Researchers surveyed Black women ages 18-49 who had a live birth within the past two years and experienced SMM. Participants were recruited and completed an online survey in late 2020. Key variables included income, education, doula use, and perceived quality of prenatal, intrapartum, and postpartum care. Among 188 participants, 12.2% …

Evaluating The Effectiveness Of Nurse-Led Prenatal Education On Maternal Outcomes And Labor Satisfaction, Alexis Boris

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Prenatal education has been a long-time major component of maternal healthcare, which has been known to impact expectant mothers and their level of preparedness during the labor and birthing process. Nurses have historically been key educators in the maternity field, due to their accessibility, education, and holistic approach in the healthcare system. Despite their recognition as vital educators in this field and the importance of maternal prenatal education, maternal healthcare is still affected by many modern-day factors, such as access to healthcare and education, health disparities, and negative childbirth experiences. This integrative literature review aims to evaluate the overall effectiveness …

The Knowledge, Experiences, And Attitudes Of Nurses Regarding Trauma-Informed Care For Sexually Abused Intrapartum Patients, Kayleigh Mcgraw

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Labor and delivery nurses care for women from diverse backgrounds who are preparing for a life-changing event, often marked by fear, excitement, sadness, and joy. However, 1 in 5 women in the United States have experienced rape or attempted rape, and for these survivors, labor can become re-traumatizing. Many report flashbacks, dissociation, and a sense of “being back in the rape” during childbirth. Research further links prior sexual assault to unplanned cesareans, traumatic births, and childbirth-related PTSD. Trauma-informed care (TIC) provides a framework to reduce these risks by encouraging providers to understand trauma, recognize signs of distress, and act to …

The Development Of A Midwifery Specific Tool To Identify The Barriers And Enablers To Change Within The Midwifery Setting, Sara Davis

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

Despite being well-positioned to identify service gaps and propose improvements, many midwives lack the knowledge, skills, confidence, or tools to effect practice change. Implementation science (IS) offers a structured approach to moving evidence-based innovations into practice; however, existing IS theories, models, and frameworks do not reflect the unique context of midwifery practice. The first step in the intentional implementation of an evidence-based practice innovation is to conduct a context assessment to identify factors that may facilitate or impede its uptake. There are numerous evidence-based checklists for this, but none capture all the influences on midwifery practice environments.

In this study, …

The Contribution Of Nursing And Midwifery To Achieving The Sustainable Development Goals: A Bibliometric Analysis, David C. Benton, Andrew D. Benton, Kate Buchanan, Gemma Doleman, Karen Strickland, Lisa Whitehead

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: Nurses and midwives are central to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as the largest regulated sector of the global health workforce and as professions explicitly encouraged by the International Council of Nurses and the World Health Organization to advance the 2030 Agenda. This paper updates a 2016 bibliometric analysis to examine changes in nursing and midwifery scholarly engagement with the SDGs.

Methods: A bibliometric analysis of Scopus, CINAHL Ultimate, and PubMed was undertaken for publications from 2000 to 2025 containing Millennium Development Goal (MDG) or Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) terminology in nursing and midwifery literature. VOSviewer was used …

Trends And Indications For Cesarean Section In The Origins Birth Cohort, Kristjana Einarsdottir, Lisa Gibson, Sarah Whalan, Jacqueline Davis, Laurence Amy Payette, Ravisha Srinivasjois, Desiree T. Silva

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Objective: Cesarean section (CS) rates have increased substantially in Australia, with particularly high use observed in private maternity care and for pre-labor CS. The aim of the present study was to describe the CS rates and the clinical indications for pre-labor CS in the ORIGINS birth cohort.

Methods: This study analyzed data from the ORIGINS birth cohort, a large birth cohort in Western Australia, including 9473 births occurring at Joondalup Health Campus between 2016 and 2024. Rates of CS and pre-labor CS were compared across study periods (2016–2020 and 2021–2024) and by facility type (public vs. private). Indications for pre-labor …

Midwifery Students' Definitions Of Normal Labor And Birth: A Study From Five Countries, Jalana Lazar, Juliet Wood, Jane Fry, Barbara Baranowska, Urszula Tataj-Puzyna, Debora Dole, Emma Ritchie, Clare Davison, Cindy L. Farley, Felicity Agwu Kalu, Maria Healy, Maria Węgrzynowska

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Introduction: Internationally, many women and birthing people are receiving maternity care interventions as a routine with no medical indication for their use. This medicalized environment influences midwives' practice and, by extension, midwifery students' clinical learning experiences, gaining knowledge and confidence in facilitating normal labor and birth. To educate midwifery students in the provision of high-quality maternal and newborn care, it is important to explore their understanding of normal labor and birth, as this underpins their philosophy of care and will inform their future practice. Methods: An online survey was developed from a review of current evidence. Following ethical approval, the …

Quantifying Nurse And Midwife-Led Research Impact: Retrospective Application Of The Framework To Assess The Impact From Translational Health Research (Fait) Model On Two Exemplar Randomised Controlled Trials, Kim Neylon, Rouen, Lisa Whitehead, Greg Sharplin, Kathleen Baird, Marion Eckert

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: Nurse- and midwife-led clinical trials are underrepresented in Australia and New Zealand, despite their potential to improve health outcomes and deliver economic value. Demonstrating the broader impact of such research is essential to inform policy and funding decisions. Aim: To assess the utility of the Framework to Assess the Impact from Translational health research (FAIT) in capturing the translational impact of nurse- and midwife-led randomised controlled trials through retrospective application to two exemplar studies. Methods: FAIT was retrospectively applied to the RSVP (nurse-led) and DAME (midwife-led) trials using three components: Modified Payback, Economic Analysis, and Narrative. Program Logic Models …

Research Publication Performance Of The Australian And New Zealand Nursing And Midwifery Professoriate, Lisa Mckenna, Fiona Bogossian, Simon Cooper, Tracy Levett-Jones, Philippa Seaton

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Aim: To analyse research publication performance of Australian and New Zealand professors and associate professors of nursing and midwifery, and compare with 2016 data. Methods: A search of university websites was conducted to identify all nursing and midwifery professoriate in Australia and New Zealand. Each individual was then searched in the Scopus database to identify individual total citations, h-index, number of publications, first author Field Weighted Citation Impact (FWCI) and overall FWCI. Comparisons with 2016 data were also undertaken. Results: A total of 304 academics were included, comprising 270 from Australia and 34 from New Zealand, and 169 full professors …

Yoga And Breathing Techniques For Fear Of Childbirth (Foc) And Quality Of Sleep Among Antenatal Women During Pregnancy – A Systematic Review Protocol, Anjana Sharma, Sonia R B D’Souza Dr., Shripad Hebbar Dr., Govardhan Reddy G Dr.

Manipal Journal of Nursing and Health Sciences

Abstract

Objectives: The objective of this study was to determine the effectiveness of Yoga and breathing techniques in decreasing Fear of Childbirth (FOC) and improving the quality of sleep among antenatal women. Introduction: Pregnancy, labor, and childbirth experiences for women are diverse. One of the issues faced by pregnant women is FOC, which can be stressful for mothers and their families. The global prevalence of FOC among women is 14%, while in India it is 17.7%. Fearful mothers may lack confidence in their ability to give birth, be swayed by unfavorable stories about the process, fear getting hurt during delivery, …

Climate Change Anxiety Related To Women’S Health Among Health Sciences Students, Derya Kaya Şenol, Semiha Aydın Özkan, Durdu Cennet Omuş

Makara Journal of Health Research

Background: Climate change impacts are unequally distributed globally, with children, women, pregnant women, the elderly, marginalized populations, and refugees bearing a disproportionate burden. This study aims to determine the levels of related anxiety among female students and to examine the relationship between the anxiety and their perceptions, knowledge levels, and health behaviors related to women’s health.

Methods: The study has a descriptive cross-sectional design. The study population included women students enrolled in the fall semester of the 2023–2024 academic year at the Faculty of Health Sciences of a university between October and December 2023. Personal Information Form and …

Improving Interdisciplinary Communication And Collaboration With The Standardization Of Doula Care Through An Informatics Tool, Shela Le

Master's Projects and Capstones

Objective: The 22-bed Labor and Delivery (L&D) unit lacks a standardized model to introduce doulas, clarify their scope of practice, or communicate the value of the services they provide. To address this gap, the team implemented a standardized doula awareness poster that included each doula’s name, photo, years of experience, and personal interests. Aim: The goal is to enhance visibility and promote integration of doula support to strengthen team collaboration and patient engagement. Methods: A pre- and post-implementation survey was distributed exclusively to the volunteer doulas. After the doula awareness poster was displayed for a month, a post-survey assessed these …

Standardizing Care: Strengthening Dka Protocol Implementation Among Emergency Department Nurses, Toni Joy Angelique Biliran Miculob

Master's Projects and Capstones

Objective: The objective of this project was to address the inconsistent understanding and utilization of the Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA) protocol in a high-acuity emergency department within a large hospital system, where baseline survey results showed that 84% of nurses found the DKA order set confusing and only 15% felt “very comfortable” applying it.

Aim: The aim was to improve nurse clarity, confidence, and consistency in using the DKA protocol to support timely, evidence-based management of this high-risk, time-sensitive condition.

Methods: The intervention consisted of brief, targeted education delivered during pre-shift huddles across day and night shifts, focusing …

Matrescence: An Emerging Concept For Birth Worker Practice, Kelsey B. Green

DNP Qualifying Manuscripts

The maternal mental health (MMH) crisis, affecting up to 25% of birthing individuals, is exacerbated by significant gaps in perinatal support. While birth workers are uniquely positioned to provide care, they often lack specialized training beyond basic screening checklists to address the complex transition to motherhood, defined as matrescence. This clinical innovation proposal outlines a matrescence-informed educational curriculum, guided by the Comprehensive Model of Mental Health during the Perinatal Period. The intervention is designed to build tangible, implementable skills, training birth workers to: (1) operationalize matrescence as a psychoeducational tool to normalize distress; (2) use clinical differentiation to distinguish the …

Lived Experiences And Educational Needs Of Women With A History Of Preeclampsia: A Qualitative Phenomenological Study In Indonesia, Fitriana Fitriana, Ani Kristianingsih, Nopi Anggistaputri

Journal of Asian Midwives (JAM)

Background: preeclampsia (PE).\ is one of the leading causes of maternal morbidity and mortality worldwide Many pregnant women fail to recognize early warning signs of the condition despite attending antenatal care, for reasons such as limited understanding of PE symptoms and/ or inadequate communication of health information by healthcare providers. Women with a previous history of PE are particularly vulnerable and require targeted educational support during subsequent pregnancies.
Methods: Eight pregnant women with a documented history of PE in their second or third trimester participated in in-depth semi-structured interviews using an interpretative phenomenological technique.  To ensure credibility and reliability, the …