The lived experience of first-time expectant fathers whose spouses are tocolyzed in hospital.

The purpose of this study is to explore the experiences of first-time expectant fathers whose spouses undergo tocolysis in the hospital. The study was conducted by the descriptive phenomenological method. On the basis of the qualitative method, the data were subjected to Colaizzi's content analysis by means of the constant comparison method. Data were collected through one-on-one interviews with six expectant fathers. The findings revealed that the experiences of the fathers could be summarized under the following five themes: being confused and absent-minded in an awkward situation, facing difficulty and attempting to identify solutions, breaking through the dilemma, looking forward to being a father, and looking back with complicated feelings. The findings of this study should provide nursing staff in charge of family- centered maternity care with information about how tocolysis influences the families of first-born babies. They should also contribute to improvements in nursing quality.

The nursing management of women experiencing preterm labor: clinical guidelines and why they are needed.

Nursing care is a critical component of therapy for women experiencing preterm labor. Diversity exists, however, in the level of comprehensiveness and consistency in guidelines for clinical practice. Nonstandardized care interferes with the ability to achieve consistent, positive patient care outcomes. This article is intended for nurses who seek to organize and standardize their care for women experiencing preterm labor. This article presents a review of the applicable practice and research literature. Clinical guidelines for the nursing management of women experiencing preterm labor are presented in the appendix.

The treatment of preterm labor using a portable subcutaneous terbutaline pump.

The perinatal mortality rate related to preterm delivery has led researchers to investigate new methods of tocolysis. A new concept in managing preterm labor uses continuous administration of terbutaline sulfate via a portable subcutaneous infusion pump. Use of the terbutaline pump to treat 13 preterm labor patients at the Baylor College of Medicine demonstrated an efficacy rate of 9 for a population failing all other methods of tocolysis. This unique treatment modality offers new hope for patients experiencing recalcitrant preterm labor.

Nursing care of the patient with preterm premature rupture of membranes.

Preterm premature rupture of the membranes (PPROM) is diagnosed when rupture of the amniotic membranes occurs prior to the completion of the 36th week of gestation. PPROM accounts for 25% of all cases of premature rupture of the membranes and is responsible for 30%-40% of all preterm deliveries. In mothers diagnosed with PPROM without evidence of infection, active labor, or fetal compromise, the current standard of care is expectant management. The goal of expectant management is the prolongation of the pregnancy to increase fetal gestational age thus potentially decreasing the effects of prematurity. Expectant management consists of ongoing observation for signs and symptoms of infection, active labor, and/or nonreassuring fetal status. This article provides clinical nursing guidelines for the mother diagnosed with PPROM who is managed expectantly. Eight targeted areas for nursing assessment and intervention are described: preterm labor, side effects of tocolytic therapy, maternal/fetal infection, fetal compromise, side effects of extended bed rest, maternal stress, educational needs, and routine prenatal care.