Spiritual Experiences of Portuguese Women Who had a Water Birth.

This study aimed to understand the significance of spirituality to Portuguese women who had a water birth. In-depth interviews, using a semi-structured questionnaire, were conducted with 24 women who experienced water birth at the hospital or home. Results were analyzed from a narrative interpretation perspective. Three spirituality-related categories emerged: (1) Beliefs and connections with the body; (2) Spirituality: integration of being a woman and transformation during birth; and (3) Spirituality as wisdom, intuition, or the sixth sense. Spirituality was perceived in women's faith and beliefs in a superior being that helped them manage the unpredictability and uncontrollability of giving birth.

Sexuality and childbirth: a qualitative analysis of women who had a waterbirth.

Waterbirth is associated with a less painful childbirth, enhanced couples' intimacy, and positive feelings toward women's bodies and sexuality. In a qualitative, descriptive case study involving 21 participants, we examined the sexual experiences-during childbirth and postpartum-of women who had a waterbirth in a hospital environment. Women discussed their sexuality in the intrapartum and postpartum period after having a waterbirth in public or private hospitals. Two main themes were developed from the data analysis: 'women's sexual pleasure during waterbirth' and 'sexuality after childbirth'. Experiences included transcendence during waterbirth, a feeling that it represented a unique experience, and couples' more positive feelings about intimacy. The shared representations of women suggest that waterbirth can be a calming, joyful event for couples. During this process, they felt that it was a loving, shared event. In addition, after childbirth women experienced positive feelings toward their bodies and sexuality (including orgasm), as well as closer intimacy with their partners.

Instructional and didactic support tool for teaching-learning Post-Partum Haemorrhage care in simulated settings: Creation and validation.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the creation and validation process of an instructional, didactic and self-applied support tool for teaching-learning Post-Partum Haemorrhage care in simulated settings. BACKGROUND: Students frequently face difficulties performing the actions in the proper sequence in Post-Partum Haemorrhage simulated cases. Even in a controlled environment, anxiety, nervousness and fear of making mistakes are evident, which render the simulated experience highly stressful. Having a tool with a guideline can help students perform these actions more assertively. DESIGN: A methodological study to develop a didactic tool. METHODS: The creation process of the didactic tool, called Instructional Disk for the Management of Post-Partum Haemorrhage, was divided into five phases: Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation and Evaluation. Nine experts specialised in Obstetrics and Midwifery validated the tool by answering a questionnaire with nine items; in turn, 32 undergraduate Midwifery program students carried out the evaluation using a questionnaire on applicability, functionality, clarity, coherence and usability of the tool in Post-Partum Haemorrhage simulated stations. The data were analysed descriptively, considering absolute agreement when the answers to all questions in the five-point Likert scale corresponded to 5 (I totally agree). The Content Validity Index was calculated for the experts' questionnaires. RESULTS: In the validation stage, the experts agreed or totally agreed with all nine items, reaching a Content Validity Index = 1. In the total scores assigned by the experts, there was a variation between 80.0% and 100% absolute agreement, with a mean of 95.6%. In the students' assessment, the variation was between 87.5% and 100% absolute agreement, with a mean of 97.7%, in the eight items evaluated. The agreement level above 90% among experts and students was considered high. CONCLUSIONS: The Instructional Disk for the Management of Post-Partum Haemorrhage was validated by experts with extensive experience in Obstetrics and Midwifery care and teaching, ensuring that the content included in the guidelines for the management of Post-Partum Haemorrhage adopted in Brazil is covered. The students positively evaluated this support tool for learning the care to be provided in Post-Partum Haemorrhage cases in the simulated stations.

Cervical dilation assessment in simulators compared to a visual tool: A randomized study. / Evaluación de la dilatación cervical en simuladores comparada con una herramienta visual: estudio aleatorizado.

OBJECTIVE: to verify the correct assessment rate when using direct visual comparison in the cervical dilation measures in hard-consistency cervix simulation models. METHOD: an open-label and randomized study conducted with 63 Obstetrics students that were designated either to use direct visual comparison in a dilation guide or not. The students estimated cervical dilation blindly in simulators with different dilations. The primary outcome was the correct assessment rate. RESULTS: the students performed 141 tests. A higher correct assessment rate was found in the Experimental Group than in the Control Group (47.3% versus 27.2%; p<0.001; Odds Ratio = 2.41; 95% Confidence Interval = 1.62-3.58). CONCLUSION: the direct visual comparison increased precision of the cervical dilation assessment in cervix simulation models, with the possibility of being beneficial in laboratory training. Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials No. U1111-1210-2389.

Organic beet leaves and stalk juice attenuates HDL-C reduction induced by high-fat meal in dyslipidemic patients: A pilot randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES: Beet leaves and stalks are rich in polyphenols; however, their effect on risk factors for cardiovascular disease in humans, to our knowledge, has not yet been investigated. The aim of this study was to analyze the acute effect of beet leaves and stalk juice, containing different concentrations of polyphenols, on lipemia, glycemic control, nitric oxide concentration, and blood pressure in patients with dyslipidemia after a high-fat meal. METHODS: In a randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover pilot study, patients 20 to 59 y of age with dyslipidemia were fed a single high-fat meal supplemented with either a placebo or one of two organic beet leaves and stalk juices rich in polyphenols (32 or 77.5 mg EAG/100 mL) with a 1-wk washout. Thus, each group was composed of 13 patients. Blood samples were obtained at fasting and 30, 60, 120, and 180 min after intervention. Total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein, triacylglycerols, glucose, insulin, nitrite and nitrate, and blood pressure were assessed at each time period. The high-fat meal increased triacylglycerol levels after 120 (P < 0.001) and 180 min (P < 0.001) and reduced high-density lipoprotein cholesterol after 60 min (P < 0.05). This reduction was attenuated in both groups that received BLS juices after 120 min (P = 0.005). A reduction in diastolic blood pressure within groups that received BLS juice was also observed. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between groups for other biomarkers. CONCLUSION: The beet leaves and stalk juice attenuated the reduction of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol induced by a high-fat meal.

The Waterbirth Project: São Bernardo Hospital experience.

INTRODUCTION: The following quantitative observational study aimed to analyse the maternal and neonatal outcomes of 90 low-risk pregnant women who gave birth in water at São Bernardo Hospital. METHODS: A form containing information on the obstetric history of the parturient, the type of immersion, and the labour and birth follow-up was used by midwives to collect the data. BACKGROUND: The Apgar score (at 1min after birth) used in this study, called Aqua Apgar, was adapted by Cornelia Enning. RESULTS: The mean water immersion time was 1h and 46min and had an influence on the duration of labour (mean 5h and 37min), with a statistically significant difference (P=0.004). There was a decreased cervical dilatation time and a shorter duration of the expulsion phase. In the immersion scenario, 30% of the women did not undergo any examination to assess the length of the cervix, and 57.8% presented intact perennial areas or first-degree tears. As for neonatal outcomes, during maternal immersion, 97% maintained normal fetal heart rates (between 110 and 160 beats per minute) and Aqua Apgar was higher than 7, both in the first minute (mean of 9.4) and in the fifth minute of life (mean of 9.9). CONCLUSION: These safety outcomes, based on sound scientific evidence, should increasingly support and inform clinical decisions and increase the number of waterbirths in health facilities. The results of this study align with growing evidence that suggests waterbirth is a safe delivery option and therefore should be offered to women.

Demandas de autocuidado no parto na água: estudo qualitativo / Demandas de autocuidado en el parto en el agua: estudio cualitativo / Self-care demands in water birth: a qualitative study

Resumo Objetivo Analisar a compreensão de puérperas sobre a participação da enfermeira obstetra/obstetriz no parto na água, sob a luz da teoria do autocuidado. Métodos Estudo qualitativo por meio da técnica de análise de conteúdo com a participação de 21 mulheres portuguesas que tiveram o seu parto na água, em ambiente hospitalar. Foi utilizado, como referencial teórico o conceito de autocuidado, proposto por Dorothea Orem. Resultados Aflorou uma grande categoria "Necessidade de Autocuidado no Contexto do Parto na Água", cujas unidades de significados foram: Medo de não conseguir vivenciar o parto na água, Percepção do manejo seguro da distócia, Deconhecimento sobre a gravidade que constitui a hemorragia pós-parto e Incompetência no reparo de traumas perineais. Conclusão As participantes identificaram que a presença da enfermeira obstetra/obstetriz, trouxe segurança para que prosseguissem confiantes no modelo de parto na água. As necessidades das mulheres foram atendidas com respeito permanente pelas profissionais, o que favoreceu a autonomia das puérperas, a harmonia entre as partes e o suporte da enfermeira.

Resumen Objetivo Analizar la comprensión de puérperas sobre la participación de la enfermera obstetra/partera en el parto en el agua, bajo la perspectiva de la teoría del autocuidado. Métodos Estudio cualitativo por medio de la técnica de análisis de contenido, con la participación de 21 mujeres portuguesas que tuvieron su parto en el agua, en ambiente hospitalario. Se utilizó el concepto de autocuidado propuesto por Dorothea Orem como marco referencial teórico. Resultados Surgió una gran categoría "Necesidades de autocuidado en el contexto del parto en el agua", cuyas unidades de significado fueron: Miedo de no poder realizar el parto en el agua, Percepción del manejo seguro de la distocia, Desconocimiento sobre la gravedad que constituye la hemorragia posparto e Incompetencia en la reparación de traumas perineales. Conclusión Las participantes identificaron que la presencia de la enfermera obstetra/partera les dio seguridad para continuar con confianza con el modelo de parto en el agua. Las necesidades de las mujeres fueron atendidas con respeto permanente por parte de las profesionales, lo que favoreció la autonomía de las puérperas, la armonía entre las partes y el apoyo de la enfermera.

Abstract Objective To analyze the puerperal women's understanding about the participation of obstetric nurses/nurse-midwives in water birth, under the light of the Self-Care Deficit Theory. Methods This is a qualitative study using the content analysis technique with the participation of 21 Portuguese women who had water birth at a hospital. The concept of self-care proposed by Dorothea Orem was used as a theoretical framework. Results The mean category "Need for self-care in the context of water birth" emerged, whose meaning units were: Fear of not being able to experience water birth; Perception of dystocia safe management; Lack of knowledge about the severity of postpartum hemorrhage; and Incompetence in perineal trauma repair. Conclusion Participants identified that the presence of obstetric nurses/nurse-midwives brought security for them to continue confident in the water birth model. Women's needs were met with permanent respect by professionals, which favored puerperal women's autonomy, harmony between parties and support by nurses.

Avaliação da dilatação cervical em simuladores de dilatação / Evaluación de la dilatación cervical en simuladores de dilatación / Cervical dilation assessment in dilation simulators

Resumo Objetivo Comparar o número de acertos dos estudantes na avaliação da dilatação cervical em simuladores de dilatação com e sem o uso de uma validação visual direta. Métodos Estudo transversal com 40 alunos de graduação em Obstetrícia de uma Universidade Pública de São Paulo, que avaliaram as dilatações cervicais em simuladores de dilatação às cegas, em três etapas: na primeira, estimaram as dilatações nos simuladores, na segunda, compararam sequencialmente os achados nos simuladores com uma ferramenta de validação visual direta usando a mão dominante e depois a mão não dominante, e na terceira etapa, compararam simultaneamente as estimativas encontradas nos simuladores com a validação visual direta com a mão dominante e não dominante. O desfecho foi o acerto da dilatação cervical nos simuladores de dilatação ou não acerto, com valor de p ≤ 0,05 considerado estatisticamente significativo. Resultados Foram analisadas 240 avaliações e computados os acertos dos estudantes relacionados a avaliação da dilatação cervical dos simuladores. Houve aumento da taxa de acerto de 47,1% com o uso da validação visual direta (OR= 4,689; IC95%: 2,601-8,452; p<0,001). Conclusão O uso de uma validação visual direta aumenta a probabilidade de acertos dos alunos na avaliação da dilatação cervical em simuladores de dilatação.

Resumen Objetivo Comparar el número de aciertos de los estudiantes en la evaluación de la dilatación cervical en simuladores de dilatación con y sin uso de una validación visual directa. Métodos Estudio transversal con 40 alumnos de la carrera de Obstetricia de una universidad pública de São Paulo, quienes evaluaron las dilataciones cervicales en simuladores de dilatación a ciegas, en tres etapas: en la primera, estimaron las dilataciones en los simuladores; en la segunda, compararon secuencialmente los resultados en los simuladores con una herramienta de validación visual directa usando la mano dominante y después la mano no dominante; y en la tercera etapa, compararon simultáneamente las estimativas encontradas en los simuladores con la validación visual directa con la mano dominante y no dominante. El criterio de valoración fue el acierto de la dilatación cervical en los simuladores de dilatación o el no acierto, con un valor de p ≤ 0,05 considerado estadísticamente significativo. Resultados Se analizaron 240 evaluaciones y se computaron los aciertos de los estudiantes relacionados con la evaluación de la dilatación cervical de los simuladores. Hubo un aumento del índice de acierto del 47,1 % con el uso de la validación visual directa (OR= 4,689; IC 95 %: 2,601-8,452; p<0,001). Conclusión El uso de una validación visual directa aumenta la probabilidad de aciertos de los alumnos en la evaluación de la dilatación cervical en simuladores de dilatación.

Abstract Objective To compare the number of hits of students in cervical dilation assessment in dilation simulators with and without the use of direct visual validation. Methods This is a cross-sectional study with 40 undergraduate obstetrics students from a public university in São Paulo, who assessed cervical dilatations in blind dilatation simulators, in three stages: in the first, they estimated dilations in the simulators; in the second, they sequentially compared the findings in simulators with a direct visual validation tool using the dominant hand and then the non-dominant hand; and in the third step, they simultaneously compared the estimates found in simulators with direct visual validation with the dominant and non-dominant hands. The outcome was the success of cervical dilation in dilation simulators or not, with a p-value ≤ 0.05 considered statistically significant. Results We analyzed 240 assessments and computed the hits of students related to cervical dilatation assessment of simulators. There was an increase in the hit rate of 47.1% with the use of direct visual validation (OR= 4.689; 95%CI: 2.601-8.452; p<0.001). Conclusion The use of direct visual validation increases the probability of hits by students in cervical dilation assessment in dilation simulators.

Evaluación de la dilatación cervical en simuladores comparada con una herramienta visual: estudio aleatorizado / Cervical dilation assessment in simulators compared to a visual tool: A randomized study / Avaliação da dilatação cervical em simuladores comparada a uma ferramenta visual: estudo randomizado

Objetivo: comprobar la tasa de evaluación correcta mediante la comparación visual directa de las medidas de dilatación cervical en modelos de cuello uterino de consistencia dura. Método: estudio aleatorizado abierto con 63 estudiantes de obstetricia a los que se les asignó usar o no la comparación visual directa con una guía de dilatación. Los estudiantes estimaron de forma ciega la dilatación cervical en simuladores con diferentes dilataciones. El resultado primario fue la tasa de evaluación correcta. Resultados: los estudiantes realizaron 441 pruebas. Se observó una mayor tasa de evaluación correcta en el grupo experimental que en el grupo control (47,3% versus 27,2%; p < 0,001; Odds Ratio = 2,41; intervalo de confianza del 95% = 1,62-3, 58). Conclusión: la comparación visual directa aumentó la precisión de la evaluación de la dilatación cervical en modelos de simulación de cuello, lo que podría ser beneficioso en el entrenamiento de laboratorio. Registro Brasileño de Ensayos Clínicos n.º U1111-1210-2389.

Objective: to verify the correct assessment rate when using direct visual comparison in the cervical dilation measures in hard-consistency cervix simulation models. Method: an open-label and randomized study conducted with 63 Obstetrics students that were designated either to use direct visual comparison in a dilation guide or not. The students estimated cervical dilation blindly in simulators with different dilations. The primary outcome was the correct assessment rate. Results: the students performed 141 tests. A higher correct assessment rate was found in the Experimental Group than in the Control Group (47.3% versus 27.2%; p<0.001; Odds Ratio = 2.41; 95% Confidence Interval = 1.62-3.58). Conclusion: the direct visual comparison increased precision of the cervical dilation assessment in cervix simulation models, with the possibility of being beneficial in laboratory training. Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials No. U1111-1210-2389.

Objetivo: verificar a taxa de avaliação correta com o uso da comparação visual direta nas medidas de dilatação cervical em modelos de simulação de colo com consistência dura. Método: estudo randomizado aberto com 63 estudantes de obstetrícia que foram designados para usar comparação visual direta em um guia de dilatação ou não. Os estudantes estimaram cegamente a dilatação cervical em simuladores com diferentes dilatações. O desfecho primário foi a taxa de avaliação correta. Resultados: os estudantes realizaram 441 testes. Foi encontrada maior taxa de avaliação correta no grupo experimental do que no grupo controle (47,3% versus 27,2%; p <0,001; Odds Ratio = 2,41; intervalo de confiança de 95% = 1,62-3,58). Conclusão: a comparação visual direta aumentou a precisão da avaliação da dilatação cervical em modelos de simulação de colo, podendo ser benéfica no treinamento em laboratório. Registro Brasileiro de Ensaios Clínicos nº U1111-1210-2389.

Perineal outcomes and its associated variables of water births versus non-water births: a cross-sectional study / Desfechos perineais e as variáveis associadas no parto na água e no parto fora da água: estudo transversal

Abstract Objectives: to describe the perineal outcomes of women who had delivered in water and out of water. Methods: a cross-sectional and quantitative study developed in a public hospital in Setúbal, Portugal. The population was of women who participated in the "Water Birth Project" in the period from 2011 to 2014, which gave birth in water and out of water. 104 women were selected according to established inclusion criteria. The groups were compared according to the following variables: demographics, obstetric information, delivery care and perineal outcomes. The data were analyzed in the Stata(r) software, with descriptive and bivariate statistics (chi-square and Fisher's test). Results: the medical records of 73 women who gave birth in water and 31 women who gave birth out of water were studied. Water deliveries were significantly associated with fewer perineal lacerations, lower rates of episiotomy, and shorter delivery time. Conclusions: the results of the study suggest that childbirth in water has a protective effect against severe third or fourth degree perineal tears, during fetal expulsion in water.

Resumo Objetivos: descrever os resultados perineais de mulheres que tiveram parto na água e fora da água. Métodos: estudo transversal e quantitativo desenvolvido em um hospital público de Setúbal, Portugal. A população foi de mulheres que participaram do "Projeto Parto na Água", no período de 2011 a 2014, que deram à luz na água e fora da água. Foram selecionadas para o estudo 104 mulheres de acordo com os critérios de inclusão estabelecidos. Os grupos foram comparados de acordo com as seguintes variáveis: demografia, informação obstétrica, assistência ao parto e resultados perineais. Os dados foram analisados no software Stata(r), com estatísitica descritiva e bivariada (qui-quadrado e teste de Fisher). Resultados: foram estudados os prontuários de 73 mulheres que deram à luz na água e 31 mulheres que deram à luz fora da água. Os partos na água foram significativamente associados a menos lacerações perineais, menores taxas de episiotomia e menor tempo de parto. Conclusão: os resultados do estudo sugerem que o parto na água tem um efeito protetor contra lacerações perineais severas de terceiro ou de quarto grau durante a expulsão fetal na água.

Utilização da linha púrpura como método clínico auxiliar para avaliação da fase ativa do trabalho de parto / The use of the purple line as an auxiliary clinical method for evaluating the active phase of delivery

OBJETIVOS: investigar a ocorrência da linha púrpura com a sua respectiva descoloração em mulheres na fase ativa do trabalho de parto e sua associação com a dilatação cervical, com o grau de descida da apresentação fetal na pelve bem como a caracterização social e obstétrica, e a opinião das mulheres quanto à utilização desse método clínico. MÉTODOS: pesquisa descritiva, prospectiva e observacional em 100 parturientes em um centro de parto normal no Estado de São Paulo. RESULTADOS: a linha púrpura ocorreu em 56 das 100 mulheres na fase ativa do trabalho de parto. Houve correlação estatística significativa entre as medidas da dilatação cervical e da linha; 22 por cento apresentaram descoloração da linha púrpura, não havendo associação entre número de mulheres com descoloração da linha e descida da cabeça fetal. Para 81 por cento das parturientes a avaliação não provocou nenhum desconforto. CONCLUSÕES: desde que haja a presença da linha, sua avaliação pode ser utilizada para diminuir o número de exames vaginais, especialmente quando estes tiverem o objetivo de medir unicamente a dilatação cervical.

OBJECTIVES: to investigate the occurrence of the purple line and its respective discoloration in women during the active phase of labor and its association with dilation of the cervix and the position of the fetus in the pelvis. METHODS: a descriptive, prospective, observational study was carried out in 100 women in labor at a normal delivery clinic in the State of São Paulo. RESULTS: the purple line appeared in 56 of the 100 women in the active phase of labor. There was a statistically significant correlation between the measurements for dilation of the cervix and those for the line; in 22 percent the purple line was discolored and there was no association between the number of women with this discoloration and the extent to which the head of the fetus had descended in the cervix. For 81 percent of the women in labor, the evaluation caused no discomfort whatsoever. CONCLUSIONS: as this line is present, measurement of it could be used to reduce the number of vaginal examinations, especially when the single aim is to measure dilation of the cervix.