Incidence of self-reported pelvic pain and risk factors for pain 1 year after benign hysterectomy: A register study from the Swedish National Quality Registry for Gynecological Surgery.

INTRODUCTION: The primary aim of this study was to determine the incidence of patient-reported pain 1 year after hysterectomy for benign gynecological conditions in relation to occurrence of preoperative pain. The secondary aim was to analyze clinical risk factors for pain 1 year after the hysterectomy in women with and without preoperatively reported pelvic/lower abdominal pain. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This was a historical cohort study using data from the Swedish National Quality Registry for Gynecological Surgery on 16 694 benign hysterectomies. Data were analyzed using multivariable logistic regression models. RESULTS: One year after surgery, 22.4% of women with preoperative pain reported pelvic pain and 7.8% reported de novo pelvic pain. For those with preoperative pain younger age (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.75, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.38-2.23 and aOR 1.21, 95% CI 1.10-1.34 for women aged <35 and 35-44 years, respectively), not being gainfully employed (aOR 1.43, 95% CI 1.26-1.63), pelvic pain as the main symptom leading to hysterectomy (aOR 1.51, 95% CI 1.19-1.90), endometriosis (aOR 1.18, 95% CI 1.06-1.31), and laparoscopic hysterectomy (aOR 1.30, 95% CI 1.07-1.58), were clinically relevant independent risk factors for pelvic/lower abdominal pain 1 year after surgery, as were postoperative complications within 8 weeks after discharge. Meanwhile, clinically relevant independent risk factors for reporting de novo pain 1 year after surgery were younger age (aOR 2.05, 95% CI 1.08-3.86 and aOR 1.29, 95% CI 1.04-1.60 for women aged <35 and 35-44 years, respectively), and postoperative complications within 8 weeks after discharge. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of pelvic pain and de novo pain 1 year after hysterectomy was relatively high. Women with and without reported preoperative pelvic/lower abdominal pain represented clinically different populations. The risk factors for pelvic pain seemed to differ in these two populations. The differences in risk factors could be taken into consideration in the preoperative counseling and in the decision-making concerning method of hysterectomy, provided that large well-designed studies confirm these risk factors.

Desejando parir naturalmente: perspectiva de mulheres sobre o parto domiciliar planejado com uma enfermeira obstétrica / Wanting to give birth naturally: women's perspective on planned homebirth with a nurse midwife / Deseando parir naturalmente: perspectiva de mujeres sobre el parto domiciliario planificado con una enfermera obstétrica

Objetivo: descrever a escolha do parto domiciliar planejado acompanhado por enfermeira obstétrica em um centro urbano de grande porte, na perspectiva de mulheres brasileiras. Métodos: estudo qualitativo guiado pela Grounded Theory. Foram entrevistadas dez mulheres com idade entre 20 e 41 anos que tiveram parto domiciliar planejado acompanhadas por enfermeiras obstétricas. As participantes foram recrutadas por meio de rede social, acessando um grupo de mulheres que escreveram sobre seu parto domiciliar. Resultados: Emergiram duas categorias: Não vendo possibilidade de parir naturalmente no ambiente hospitalar e Pensando na segurança do parto domiciliar planejado. O hospital representou vários aspectos desfavoráveis como intervenções desnecessárias e solidão. As mulheres consideravam o lar um lugar seguro para parir, conectado aos cuidados de enfermeiras obstétricas. Conclusão: há mulheres que não desejam parir no hospital, preferindo parir em casa e do ponto de vista dos direitos humanos e dos cuidados desmedicalizados, as enfermeiras obstétricas devem apoiar as mulheres nessa sua decisão.

Objective: to describe the choice of planned homebirth attended by a nurse midwife in a large urban centre, from the perspective of Brazilian women. Methods: in this Grounded Theory study, ten women aged 20 to 41 years, who had a planned homebirth accompanied by a nurse midwife, were interviewed. Participants were recruited through a social network by accessing a group of women who wrote about their homebirth. Results: two categories emerged: seeing no possibility of giving birth naturally in the hospital environment; and thinking about the safety of a planned homebirth. Hospital represented several unfavourable aspects, such as unnecessary interventions and loneliness. Women thought of home as a safe place to give birth, connected with nurse midwife care. Conclusion: there are women who do not wish to give birth in hospital, but prefer to give birth at home and, from the point of view of human rights and de-medicalized care, nurse midwives should support women in their decision.

Objetivo: describir la elección del parto domiciliario planificado con enfermera obstétrica en un gran centro urbano, desde la perspectiva de mujeres brasileñas. Métodos: estudio cualitativo guiado por la Grounded Theory. Se entrevistó a diez mujeres entre 20 y 41 años que tuvieron parto domiciliario planificado, siendo acompañadas de enfermeras obstétricas. Las participantes fueron reclutadas a través de red social, accediendo a un grupo de mujeres que escribieron sobre su parto en domicilio. Resultados: surgieron dos categorías: las que no veían posibilidad de dar a luz naturalmente en el hospital y las que pensaron en la seguridad del parto domiciliario planificado. El hospital representó varios aspectos desfavorables como intervenciones innecesarias y soledad. Las mujeres consideraban que el hogar era un ambiente seguro para dar a luz, vinculado al cuidado de enfermeras obstétricas. Conclusión: hay mujeres que no desean dar a luz en el hospital, prefieren hacerlo en casa y, desde el punto de vista de los derechos humanos y de los cuidados sin la intervención de un médico, las enfermeras obstétricas deben apoyarlas en esa decisión.

Reduced pain thresholds and signs of sensitization in women with persistent pelvic pain and suspected endometriosis.

INTRODUCTION: Endometriosis is a gynecological disorder that may cause considerable pelvic pain in women of fertile age. Determining pain mechanisms is necessary in order to optimize the treatment of the disease. The objective of the study was to evaluate pain thresholds in women with persistent pelvic pain with and without confirmed endometriosis, and healthy, unaffected controls, and analyze how pain thresholds in these cohorts related to duration of pelvic pain, quality of life, and symptoms of anxiety and depression. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Pain thresholds for heat, cold and pressure were assessed with quantitative sensory testing on six locations on a reference group of 55 healthy women and on 37 women with persistent pelvic pain who had been admitted for diagnostic laparoscopy on the suspicion of endometriosis. Validated instruments were applied to assess quality of life and symptoms of anxiety and depression. Data were analyzed by means of uni- and multivariate analysis of variance and Spearman's rank-order correlation. RESULTS: The women with persistent pelvic pain had significantly lower pain thresholds compared with the reference women. In the women with pain, no differences were observed in pain thresholds between women with (n = 13) and women without (n = 24) biopsy-proven endometriosis. The duration of pelvic pain correlated significantly positively with reduced pain thresholds, ie, the longer the duration, the more sensitization. In the persistent pelvic pain group, pain thresholds for heat correlated significantly with the Short Form Health Survey 36 dimension of bodily pain, and thresholds for cold correlated with Short Form Health Survey 36 bodily pain and with symptoms of depression. CONCLUSIONS: Our results showed widespread alterations in pain thresholds in women with persistent pelvic pain that are indicative of central sensitization and a time-dependent correlation. Women with pelvic pain and suspicion of endometriosis should probably be treated more thoroughly to prevent or at least minimize the concomitant development of central sensitization.

"You just need to leave the room when you breastfeed" Breastfeeding experiences among obese women in Sweden - A qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: The benefits of breastfeeding for the infant as well for the mother are well-known. It is recognized that obese (Body Mass Index ≥30 kg/m2) women may have less antenatal intention to breastfeed, and shortened duration of breastfeeding compared with normal-weight women. This may result in adverse short- and long-term health for both mother and child, such as a shortened lactational amenorrhoea and decreased protection against breast cancer for the women, and an increased risk for infectious diseases and overweight/obesity among the children. Therefore, it is important to gain more knowledge and understanding of obese women's experiences of breastfeeding in order to attain good health care. Hence, the aim of this study was to identify and describe obese women's experiences of breastfeeding. METHODS: This is an explorative study. Data was collected 2 - 18 months after childbirth through semi-structured face-to-face interviews with 11 obese women with breastfeeding experience. The interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim. Thematic analysis was used. RESULTS: Three themes emerged from the data analysis: Breastfeeding - a part of motherhood, the challenges of breastfeeding, and support for breastfeeding. The women described an antenatal hope for breastfeeding, the body's ability to produce milk fascinated them, and the breast milk was seen as the best way to feed the child and also as promoting the attachment between mother and child. Breastfeeding was described as a challenge even though it is natural. The challenges concerned technical difficulties such as the woman finding a good body position and helping the child to achieve an optimum grip of the nipple. Another challenge was the exposure of the body connected to public breastfeeding. Support of breastfeeding was described as the importance of being confirmed as an individual behind the obesity, rather than an individual with obesity, and to obtain enough professional breastfeeding support. CONCLUSIONS: Breastfeeding was experienced as a natural part of being a mother. There were practical challenges for obese women concerning how to manage breastfeeding and how to handle the public exposure of the body. There was a need for realistic information about breastfeeding concerning both the child and the woman.

Impact of Pelvic Pain and Endometriosis on Patient-Reported Outcomes and Experiences of Benign Hysterectomy: A Study from the Swedish National Register for Gynecological Surgery.

BACKGROUND: The study objective was to analyze and compare patient-reported experience measures (PREMs) and patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) after hysterectomy in women with and without a preoperative complaint of pelvic pain associated with and without a confirmed diagnosis of endometriosis. METHODS: Retrospective nationwide register study. Data on 28,776 hysterectomies performed on benign indication between 2004 and 2016 were retrieved from the Swedish National Register for Gynecological Surgery. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to compare the PREMs and PROMs items. The results are presented as adjusted odds ratios (aORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). RESULTS: Regardless of the occurrence of pelvic pain preoperatively and a diagnosis of endometriosis, 1 year after surgery, the women were satisfied or very satisfied (>90%) with the hysterectomy, and their medical condition was improved or much improved (>95%). The women with a preoperative complaint of pelvic pain and endometriosis more often reported excessively short hospital stays (aOR 1.45, 95% CI 1.17-1.79), more severe complications after discharge (aOR 2.02, 95% CI 1.59-2.66) at the 8-week follow-up and at the 1-year follow-up (aOR 2.31, 95% CI 1.57-3.39), and more dissatisfaction with the operation (aOR 1.83, 95% CI 1.35-2.48) than preoperative pelvic pain-free women without endometriosis at the 1-year follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of the women were satisfied after their hysterectomy. The women with pelvic pain and endometriosis were at a higher risk of being dissatisfied. Pelvic pain per se seemed to be the main factor affecting the rating in the PREMs and PROMs, and the endometriosis was a significant contributing factor.

Parents' experiences of participating in an intervention on tobacco prevention in Child Health Care.

BACKGROUND: Child health care is an important arena for tobacco prevention in Sweden. The aim of this study was to describe parents' experiences from participating in a nursebased tobacco prevention intervention. METHODS: Eleven parents were interviewed using semi-structured interviews. The material was analysed in a qualitative content analysis process. RESULTS: The analysis emerged four categories; Receiving support, Respectful treatment, Influence on smoking habits and Receiving information. The parents described how the CHC nurses treated them with support and respect. They described the importance of being treated with respect for their autonomy in their decisions about smoking. They also claimed that they had received little or no information about health consequences for children exposed to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS). The findings also indicate that both the questionnaire used and the urine-cotinine test had influenced parents' smoking. CONCLUSION: The clinical implication is that CHC is an important arena for preventive work aiming to minimize children's tobacco smoke exposure. CHC nurses can play an important role in tobacco prevention but should be more explicit in their communication with parents about tobacco issues. The SiCET was referred to as an eye-opener and can be useful in the MI dialogues nurses perform in order to support parents in their efforts to protect their children from ETS.

Prevalence of alcohol use before and during pregnancy and predictors of drinking during pregnancy: a cross sectional study in Sweden.

BACKGROUND: There is a paucity of research on predictors for drinking during pregnancy among women in Sweden and reported prevalence rates differ considerably between studies conducted at different antenatal care centres. Since this knowledge is relevant for preventive work the aim of this study was to investigate these issues using a multicenter approach. METHODS: The study was conducted at 30 antenatal care centers across Sweden from November 2009 to December 2010. All women in pregnancy week 18 or more with a scheduled visit were asked to participate in the study. The questionnaire included questions on sociodemographic data, alcohol consumption prior to and during the pregnancy, tobacco use before and during pregnancy, and social support. RESULTS: Questionnaires from 1594 women were included in the study. A majority, 84%, of the women reported alcohol consumption the year prior to pregnancy; about 14% were categorized as having hazardous consumption, here defined as a weekly consumption of > 9 standard drinks containing 12 grams of pure alcohol or drinking more than 4 standard drinks at the same occasion. Approximately 6% of the women consumed alcohol at least once after pregnancy recognition, of which 92% never drank more than 1 standard drink at a time. Of the women who were hazardous drinkers before pregnancy, 19% reduced their alcohol consumption when planning their pregnancy compared with 33% of the women with moderate alcohol consumption prior to pregnancy. Factors predicting alcohol consumption during pregnancy were older age, living in a large city, using tobacco during pregnancy, lower score for social support, stronger alcohol habit before pregnancy and higher score for social drinking motives. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of drinking during pregnancy is relatively low in Sweden. However, 84% of the women report drinking in the year preceding pregnancy and most of these women continue to drink until pregnancy recognition, which means that they might have consumed alcohol in early pregnancy. Six factors were found to predict alcohol consumption during pregnancy. These factors should be addressed in the work to prevent alcohol-exposed pregnancies.

"Smoking in Children's Environment Test": a qualitative study of experiences of a new instrument applied in preventive work in child health care.

BACKGROUND: Despite knowledge of the adverse health effects of passive smoking, children are still being exposed. Children's nurses play an important role in tobacco preventive work through dialogue with parents aimed at identifying how children can be protected from environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) exposure. The study describes the experiences of Child Health Care (CHC) nurses when using the validated instrument SiCET (Smoking in Children's Environment Test) in dialogue with parents. METHOD: In an intervention in CHC centres in south-eastern Sweden nurses were invited to use the SiCET. Eighteen nurses participated in focus group interviews. Transcripts were reviewed and their contents were coded into categories by three investigators using the method described for focus groups interviews. RESULTS: The SiCET was used in dialogue with parents in tobacco preventive work and resulted in focused discussions on smoking and support for behavioural changes among parents. The instrument had both strengths and limitations. The nurses experienced that the SiCET facilitated dialogue with parents and gave a comprehensive view of the child's ETS exposure. This gave nurses the possibility of taking on a supportive role by offering parents long-term help in protecting their child from ETS exposure and in considering smoking cessation. CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate that the SiCET supports nurses in their dialogue with parents on children's ETS exposure at CHC. There is a need for more clinical use and evaluation of the SiCET to determine its usefulness in clinical practice under varying circumstances.