The relationship between internet addiction and fear of childbirth in pregnant women.

The aim of this study is to determine the relationship between internet addiction and fear of childbirth in pregnant women. The study was conducted with 200 pregnant women who applied to two hospitals in province located in eastern Türkiye between April and August 2023 and were voluntary to participate in the study. In this descriptive, cross-sectional and correlational study,a"Personal Information Form", the "Internet Addiction Scale", and the "Wijma Delivery Expectancy/Experience Questionnaire" were used. The data were analyzed using independent samples t test, analysis of variance, and regression analysis. The pregnant women 40.5% expressed that they always accessed the information they sought. Pregnant women had high levels of internet addiction and fear of childbirth. In pregnant women, internet addiction was a significant predictor of fear of childbirth. With a multidisciplinary approach a preventive and supportive environment should be established in health services for the internet used during pregnancy.

Le but de cette étude est de déterminer la relation entre la dépendance à Internet et la peur de l'accouchement chez les femmes enceintes. L'étude a été menée auprès de 200 femmes enceintes qui ont postulé dans deux hôpitaux de la province située à l'est de la Turquie entre avril et août 2023 et qui ont volontairement participé à l'étude. Dans cette étude descriptive, transversale et corrélationnelle, un « formulaire d'informations personnelles ¼, l'« échelle de dépendance à Internet ¼ et le « questionnaire sur les attentes/expériences d'accouchement Wijma ¼ ont été utilisés. Les données ont été analysées à l'aide d'un test t pour échantillons indépendants, d'une analyse de variance et d'une analyse de régression. Les femmes enceintes, 40,5%, ont déclaré qu'elles accédaient toujours aux informations qu'elles recherchaient. Les femmes enceintes présentaient des niveaux élevés de dépendance à Internet et de peur de l'accouchement. Chez les femmes enceintes, la dépendance à Internet était un prédicteur significatif de la peur de l'accouchement. Grâce à une approche multidisciplinaire, un environnement préventif et favorable devrait être créé dans les services de santé pour l'utilisation d'Internet pendant la grossesse.

Determining the coronavirus awareness of the Turkish society and the anxiety stress levels.

The aim of the study is to determine the awareness of the Turkish society in COVID-19, and determine the anxiety stress levels. Research two months after the start of the outbreak in Turkey has reached 2163 individuals completed the online platform. The Integrated Anxiety Stress Scale significantly changed according to age, gender, marital status and working status after the pandemic. According to the results of multiple binary logistic regression analysis, individuals aged 50 and over, female gender, being single and not working after the pandemic for anxiety; female gender, being married, and post-pandemic study were found to be risk factors for Covid awareness. It is recommended that epidemic awareness studies and information sharing on controlled healing measures are planned considering the anxiety levels.

Uterine massage to reduce blood loss after vaginal delivery.

Postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) is a major cause of maternal mortality and disability. A need for simple, inexpensive techniques to prevent PPH and provide treatment exists, particularly in cases where uterotonics cannot be accessed. Uterine massage is recommended as part of the routine active management of the third stage of labor. This study was conducted to determine the effectiveness of uterine massage after delivery of the placenta in reducing postpartum blood loss. Thus, a randomized controlled trial was conducted in Turkey between March 2018 and September 2018. A total of 176 pregnant women (88 in the control and 88 in the uterine massage groups) were randomly allocated to the two groups: one group receiving sustained uterine massage, while the other comprising the control group. The uterine massage group was administered transabdominal uterine massage, starting immediately after delivery of the placenta and continuing every 15 min for a duration of 2 h until the uterus hardened. The blood loss within 2 h of delivery was recorded. Level of significance was taken as p < 0.05, and the chi-square, t, and Mann-Whitney U tests as well as Spearman's correlation and linear regression were employed in the analysis of the data. The average amount blood loss within 2 h of the delivery was significantly higher in the control group than in the massage group (X = 170.49 ± 61.46 and X = 186.20 ± 47.59, p < 0.05). A statistically significant difference was present between the uterine massage and control groups in terms of hemoglobin, hematocrit, WBC, and RCB pre-delivery and pre-discharge (first 24 h) values and in the use of additional uterotonics and the amount of blood loss (p < 0.05). The results of the analysis show that postpartum uterine massage has a reducing effect on the amount of PPH.

First do no harm - interventions during labor and maternal satisfaction: a descriptive cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Interventions can be lifesaving when properly implemented but can also put the lives of both mother and child at risk by disrupting normal physiological childbirth when used indiscriminately without indications. Therefore, this study was performed to investigate the effect of frequent interventions during labor on maternal satisfaction and to provide evidence-based recommendations for labor management decisions. METHODS: The study was performed in descriptive design in a state hospital in Kars, Turkey with 351 pregnant women who were recruited from the delivery ward. The data were collected using three questionnaires: a survey form containing sociodemographic and obstetric characteristics, the Scale for Measuring Maternal Satisfaction in Vaginal Birth, and an intervention observation form. RESULTS: The average satisfaction scores of the mothers giving birth in our study were found to be low, at 139.59 ± 29.02 (≥150.5 = high satisfaction level, < 150.5 = low satisfaction level). The percentages of the interventions that were carried out were as follows: 80.6%, enema; 22.2%, perineal shaving; 70.7%, induction; 95.4%, continuous EFM; 92.3%, listening to fetal heart sounds; 72.9%, vaginal examination (two-hourly); 31.9%, amniotomy; 31.3%, medication for pain control; 74.9%, intravenous fluids; 80.3%, restricting food/liquid intake; 54.7%, palpation of contractions on the fundus; 35.0%, restriction of movement; 99.1%, vaginal irrigation with chlorhexidine; 85.5%, using a "hands on" method; 68.9%, episiotomy; 74.6%, closed glottis pushing; 43.3%, fundal pressure; 55.3%, delayed umbilical cord clamping; 86.0%, delayed skin-to-skin contact; 60.1%, controlled cord traction; 68.9%, postpartum hemorrhage control; and 27.6%, uterine massage. The satisfaction levels of those who experienced the interventions of induction, EFM, restriction of movement, two-hourly vaginal examinations, intravenous fluid, fundal pressure, episiotomy, palpation of contractions on the fundus, closed glottis pushing, delayed umbilical cord clamping, delayed skin-to-skin contact, fluid/food restriction, and of those who were not provided pharmacological pain control were found to be lower (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Medical interventions carried out at high rates had a negative impact on women's childbirth experience. Therefore, a proper assessment in the light of medical evidence should be made before deciding that it is absolutely necessary to intervene in the birthing process and the interdisciplinary team should ensure that intrapartum caregivers will "first do no harm."

The effect of maternal obesity on self-esteem and body image.

stress, dissatisfaction and the feeling of inadequacy experienced as a result of the change in appearance caused by weight gain affects self -esteem and body image of pregnant women negatively. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between maternal obesity, self-esteem and body image. The study was performed through a questionnaire in a state hospital in Trabzon, Turkey with 300 unselected pregnant women who were recruited from the delivery unit. As data collection tools, Body Image Scale (BAS) and Coopersmith Self-Esteem Scale (GIS) were used between April and May 2016. According to BMI variables, 12.3%, 57.0% and 30.7% of the pregnant women were normal, overweight and obese respectively and gained an average of 12.11 ±â€¯3.03 kg during pregnancy. Accordingly, the majority of pregnant women who participated in this study were found to be overweight and obese. While the body image of pregnant women surveyed in this study was at a high level (158.84 ±â€¯21.34), their average self-esteem was found at a moderate level (64.01 ±â€¯15.88). Based on BMI, 56.8% of the women with normal weight perceived themselves as normal, 48.0% of overweight women perceived themselves as normal and 53.3% of obese women perceived themselves as overweight. There was a positive significant relationship between participants' body image and their BMI (r = 0.119 p < 0.05). The pregnant women with normal BMI were more likely to feel satisfied. While 56.8% of the pregnant women at normal weight based on BMI were found to feel satisfied and 43.3% of those overweight felt satisfied, 54.3% of obese ones did not feel satisfied. A weak positive significant correlation was found between body image and self-esteem (r = 0.172; p = 0.003 < 0.05). As the self-esteem increases, body image increases, too. It was found that the majority of pregnant women were overweight and obese according to BMI and their average body image and self-esteem were high and medium level respectively.

Determination of the life quality and self-care ability of the mothers in post-partum period.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the life quality and self-care ability of mothers in the post-partum period. . METHODS: This descriptive study was conducted at a family health centre based in Kars Province of Turkey from May to September 2015, and comprised mothers who were in the post-partum period. Personal information form, maternal post-partum quality of life questionnaire and self-care ability scale were used to collect data. SPSS was used for data analysis. RESULTS: There were 290 participants with a mean age of 26.81±6.21 years (range: 16-45 years). Mean scores for sub-dimensions in the maternal post-partum quality of life questionnaire were recorded at 19.00±6.23 for affinity/family/friend, 21.05±6.10 for socio-economic, 20.79±5.97 for spouse, 20.56±6.23 for health, and 19.86±6.21 for psychological/baby. The total maternal post-partum quality of life mean score was 20.17±5.51. The mean score for the self-care ability scale was 84.56±21.39. CONCLUSIONS: The self-care ability and post-partum life quality were substantially affected by educational status, economic condition, family type and post-partum week.

Can different geographic conditions affect the formation of striae gravidarum? A multicentric study.

AIM: Striae gravidarum (SG) is a most common physiological skin change that many pregnant women experience during pregnancy. We investigated the effects of geographic conditions and altitude on the formation of SG. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 508 nulliparous women with singleton gestation were included in the study from three different geographic locations. The first city is located in the mountainous area at an altitude of approximately 1900 m (approximately 6233 ft). The second city is located on a plain in the middle of the country at an altitude of 900 m (approximately 2952 ft). The third city is located by the seaside (altitude 26 m, 85 ft). Twelve variables were recorded for each woman in the prepartum period, and striae were scored using the numerical scoring system of Atwal et al. RESULTS: We found that striae formation was significantly more common in higher areas. According to the regression analyses, when the third region, located at sea level, was taken as a reference point, the appearance of SG was 2.1- and 1.8-fold more common in the first region (altitude 1900 m) and the second region (altitude 900 m), respectively (P = 0.020). CONCLUSION: To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first to evaluate the effect of environmental factors on SG formation. Moreover, our study group is one of the largest in the published work. Environmental factors can affect the formation of striae gravidarum. Further studies with different ethnic groups are needed.

Evaluation of the pap smear test status of Turkish women and related factors.

BACKGROUND: The Pap smear has an important value in the early diagnosis of cervical cancer, a serious problem in womens health. This study aimed to determine the status of Turkish women regarding participation in Pap smear testing and affecting factors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This descriptive study was conducted on married women between 18-61 years of age selected from those who applied to the Obstetrics and Gynaecology Polyclinic of Ataturk University in Erzurum between June-August 2010 for any reason. Data were collected using a questionnaire determining socio-demographic features and analyzed by descriptive statistics (mean, Sd, range, frequency, percentage) and Chi-square test. A level of p<0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Sixty six of the 301 women (21.9%) indicated that they heard a Pap smear test and 16.6% of women had experienced a test. The number of women participating increased with age, duration of marriage, number of births, knowledge about the Pap smear and perception of risk for cervical cancer. CONCLUSIONS: The importance of the Pap smear test needs to be explained to Turkish women by health staff, to increase awareness and participation in regular screening.