Sociodemographic Disparities in Utilization of Childbirth Education.

Childbirth education is a preventive intervention intended to improve maternal and neonatal outcomes that is complementary to antenatal health visits. It is not currently known if disparities in access to childbirth education plays a role in maternal and newborn health disparities in the United States. In this study, we used data from the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) to identify disparities in utilization of childbirth education. We identified lower odds of utilization of childbirth education for pregnant people with lower socioeconomic status, including use of Medicaid, and rural residence. Our analysis indicates that characteristics that reduce access to maternal health care also reduce access to childbirth education. This finding has important implications for communities that use childbirth education as a way to help reduce disparities in maternal or newborn outcomes.

Experiências positivas de parto em Mato Grosso do Sul: propostas para a gestão e atenção primária à saúde / Positive childbirth experiences in Mato Grosso do Sul: proposals for governance and primary health care

Introdução: As ações de gestão da rede e promoção da saúde no pré-natal devem ser planejadas para que as gestantes possam tomar decisões com autonomia, contando com estruturas físicas e equipes adequadas às suas necessidades de cuidados em saúde. Objetivo: Avaliar a organização da rede de atenção ao parto e monitorar os fatores determinantes para taxas de cesariana acima da média nacional. A partir destes dados planejar uma ferramenta de preparação para o parto voltada para a atenção primária do SUS. Métodos: Estudo ecológico com triangulação de técnicas qualitativas e quantitativas de caráter compreensivo-interpretativo e orientado à ação. O grupo assessor da pesquisa contribuiu para a definição da pergunta, o recrutamento dos sujeitos e a discussão dos resultados. Para o componente quantitativo da pesquisa, foram analisados os dados epidemiológicos relacionados ao tipo de parto registrados no Sistema Nacional de Registros de Nascimentos (SINASC). Após a aprovação no Comitê de Ética em Pesquisa, foram recrutadas mulheres que tiveram partos em Mato Grosso do Sul no ano 2020. Elas foram entrevistadas virtualmente pelo aplicativo WhatsApp seguindo um roteiro semiestruturado. A análise do conteúdo foi feita com auxílio do software NVivo. Resultados: A análise dos dados epidemiológicos de 2009 a 2019 permitiu identificar que a rede de atenção está organizada para oferecer cesarianas. Em 15 municípios mais de 75% dos nascimentos da década aconteceram via cesariana. Dentre as mulheres com cesariana anterior apenas 3% tiveram parto normal. Os fatores determinantes para a decisão pelo tipo de parto foram acesso à informação, ter um profissional de confiança que acompanhe a gestação e o parto. Os fatores financeiros, como cobertura assistencial do SUS ou do plano de saúde também foram considerados como definidores do planejamento do parto pelas mulheres. As intervenções de aconselhamento e educação em saúde no pré-natal precisam ofertar instrumentos para que as mulheres possam tomar decisões com autonomia. É preciso ampliar o acesso aos grupos de apoio e a ferramentas para preparação para o parto. Além disso, é preciso que a gestão incentive a organização da rede com cuidado pré-natal seguro e baseado em evidências científicas, para apoiar as mulheres para que elas ampliem sua autonomia na decisão sobre o local de parto mais adequado às suas necessidades e expectativas. Conclusão: Existem incentivos diretos e indiretos para que as mulheres demandem por cesarianas na rede de saúde de Mato Grosso do Sul. Nesta cultura de cesariana, o parto espontâneo é tratado como uma emergência médica para a qual a maioria dos serviços não estaria qualificada para atender. Tal realidade tem implicação nos direitos das mulheres ao cuidado adequado e livre de dano.

Introduction: Actions for promotion of prenatal care of the public health care system must be planned so that pregnant women may take decisions with autonomy relying on infrastructure and professional teams suitable to their needs. Objective: To assess the organization of the delivery-care-network and monitor the determining factors for cesarean section rates to be above the national average in Mato Grosso do Sul and based on the collected data, to develop a childbirth preparation tool oriented to SUS primary care services. Methods: Ecological study with triangulation of qualitative and quantitative techniques of a comprehensive-interpretative and action-oriented nature. The research participative group contributed to the definition of the question, the recruitment of subjects and the discussion of the results. For the quantitative component of the research, epidemiological data related to the type of delivery recorded in the National System of Birth Records (SINASC) were analyzed. After approval by the Research Ethics Committee, women who gave birth in Mato Grosso do Sul in the year 2020 were recruited. They were interviewed virtually through the WhatsApp application following a semi-structured script. Content analysis was performed using the NVivo software. Results: The analysis of epidemiological data from 2009 to 2019 made it possible to identify that the care network is organized to offer cesarean sections. In 15 municipalities, more than 75% of births in the decade were by cesarean section. Among women with previous cesarean section, only 3% had a normal delivery. The determining factors for the decision making on the type of delivery were having access to information, a reliable professional to monitor the pregnancy period and delivery. Financial factors, such as SUS healthcare coverage or having health insurance were also considered as defining factors. Prenatal counseling and health education interventions need to offer instruments so that women can make decisions with autonomy. Access to support groups and tools for childbirth preparation needs to be expanded. In addition, management needs to encourage the organization of the network with safe prenatal care and based on scientific evidence to support women so that they may expand their autonomy on deciding the most appropriate place of delivery according to their needs and expectations. Conclusion: There are direct and indirect motivations for women to demand cesarean sections in the healthcare network of Mato Grosso do Sul. On this cesarean culture, spontaneous delivery is treated as a medical emergency that most services would not be qualified to handle. This reality has implications on women's right to have an adequate and harm-free care.

The rise of tele-mental health in perinatal settings.

We discuss the use of tele-mental health in settings serving expectant parents in fetal care centers and parents with children receiving treatment in neonatal intensive care units within a pediatric institution. Our emphasis is on the dramatic rise of tele-mental health service delivery for this population in the wake of the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in the U.S., including relevant practice regulations, challenges and advantages associated with the transition to tele-mental health in these perinatal settings.

Prenatal Education in the Digital Age.

The millennial pregnant patient expects an innovative approach to prenatal care. Patients are reaching to peer support online communities or engaging in direct-to-consumer mobile applications during their pregnancy. Currently developed solutions show promise, however, the clinical impact and generalizability of these solutions remains unclear. Technology has the potential to decrease health care disparities, improve patient and provider satisfaction as well as clinical outcomes. In this article we discuss traditional models of prenatal education as well and suggest how obstetricians should consider utilizing technology as an approach to provide prenatal education to their patients.

Stressors, coping, and resources needed during the COVID-19 pandemic in a sample of perinatal women.

BACKGROUND: Psychological stress and coping experienced during pregnancy can have important effects on maternal and infant health, which can also vary by race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status. Therefore, we assessed stressors, coping behaviors, and resources needed in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic in a sample of 162 perinatal (125 pregnant and 37 postpartum) women in the United States. METHODS: A mixed-methods study captured quantitative responses regarding stressors and coping, along with qualitative responses to open-ended questions regarding stress and resources needed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Logistic and linear regression models were used to analyze differences between pregnant and postpartum participants, as well as differences across key demographic variables. Qualitative content analysis was used to analyze open-ended questions. RESULTS: During the COVID-pandemic, food scarcity and shelter-in-place restrictions made it difficult for pregnant women to find healthy foods. Participants also reported missing prenatal appointments, though many reported using telemedicine to obtain these services. Financial issues were prevalent in our sample and participants had difficulty obtaining childcare. After controlling for demographic variables, pregnant women were less likely to engage in healthy stress-coping behaviors than postpartum women. Lastly, we were able to detect signals of increased stressors induced by the COVID-19 pandemic, and less social support, in perinatal women of racial and ethnic minority, and lower-income status. Qualitative results support our survey findings as participants expressed concerns about their baby contracting COVID-19 while in the hospital, significant others missing the delivery or key obstetric appointments, and wanting support from friends, family, and birthing classes. Financial resources, COVID-19 information and research as it relates to maternal-infant health outcomes, access to safe healthcare, and access to baby supplies (formula, diapers, etc.) emerged as the primary resources needed by participants. CONCLUSIONS: To better support perinatal women's mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare providers should engage in conversations regarding access to resources needed to care for newborns, refer patients to counseling services (which can be delivered online/via telephone) and virtual support groups, and consistently screen pregnant women for stressors.

The development and implementation of an advanced practice registered nurse-led prenatal education program for housing insecure women.

ABSTRACT: Housing insecurity has been shown to have an impact on the health care system due to negative maternal and neonatal outcomes. Housing insecurity is associated with the social determinants of health under the umbrella of economic stability and neighborhood/physical environments. Research shows that educational programs and support resources can help alleviate this strain for women who are pregnant. This article discusses the development and implementation of an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN)-led, prenatal education group for women facing housing insecurity who are pregnant and high risk. The curriculum was revised and based on a March of Dimes Becoming a Mom with alignment to Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs. The 10-week prenatal education program was created and implemented by a group of APRNs and registered nurses to aid pregnant women facing housing insecurity with coping strategies and education regarding their pregnancy.

Prenatal care experiences among pregnant women with obesity in Wisconsin, United States: a qualitative quality improvement assessment.

BACKGROUND: Stigma and bias experienced during prenatal care can affect quality of care and, ultimately, the health of pregnant women with obesity and their infants. We sought to 1) better understand the bias and stigma that women with BMIs ≥40 kg/m2 experience while receiving prenatal care, 2) gauge women's interest in group prenatal education for women with obesity, and 3) gather feedback about their preferred weight-related terminology. METHODS: We conducted and thematically content-analyzed 30 semi-structured interviews of women with BMIs ≥40 kg/m2 who received prenatal care at a university-affiliated teaching hospital in the Midwest region of the United States. RESULTS: All women recalled positive experiences during their perinatal care during which they felt listened to and respected by providers. However, many also described a fear of weight-related bias or recalled weight-based discrimination. Women reacted favorably to a proposed group prenatal care option for pregnant women with obesity that focused on nutrition, physical activity, and weight management. Women rated "weight" and "BMI" as the most desirable terms for describing weight, while "large size" and "obesity" were rated least desirable. CONCLUSIONS: Many pregnant women with BMIs ≥40 kg/m2 experience bias in the prenatal care setting. Potential steps to mitigate bias towards weight include improving provider awareness of the experiences and perspectives of this population, expanding prenatal care options targeted towards women with high BMIs, including group care, and using patient-preferred weight-related terminology. Through the remainder of this manuscript, wherever possible, the term "high BMI" will be used in place of the term "obesity" to describe women with BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2 in order to respect the preferred terminology of the women we interviewed.

Risk-guided maternity care to enhance maternal empowerment postpartum: A cluster randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether a structured inquiry during pregnancy of medical factors and social factors associated with low socioeconomic status, and subsequent patient-centred maternity care could increase maternal empowerment. DESIGN: Cluster-randomised controlled trial. SETTING: This study was conducted among pregnant women in selected urban areas in the Netherlands. This study was part of the nationwide Healthy Pregnancy 4 All-2 programme. POPULATION: Pregnant women listed at one of the sixteen participating maternity care organisations between July 1, 2015, and Dec 31, 2016. METHODS: All practices were instructed to provide a systematic risk assessment during pregnancy. Practices were randomly allocated to continue usual care (seven practices), or to provide a patient-centred, risk-guided approach to addressing any risks (nine practices) identified via the risk assessment during pregnancy. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Low postpartum maternal empowerment score. RESULTS: We recruited 1579 participants; 879 participants in the intervention arm, and 700 participants in the control arm. The prevalence of one or more risk factors during pregnancy was similar between the two arms: 40% and 39%, respectively. In our intention-to-treat analysis, the intervention resulted in a significant reduction in the odds of having a low empowerment score [i.e. the primary outcome; adjusted OR 0.69 ((95% CI 0.47; 0.99), P 0.046)]. CONCLUSIONS: Implementation of additional risk assessment addressing both medical and social factors and subsequent tailored preventive strategies into maternity care reduced the incidence of low maternal empowerment during the postpartum period. Introducing this approach in routine maternity care may help reduce early adversity during the postpartum period.

Postpartum women's perception of antenatal breastfeeding education: a descriptive survey.

BACKGROUND: Antenatal breastfeeding education (ANBE) is provided to all pregnant women attending Ministry of Health (MOH) clinics and some private health facilities in Malaysia, in line with the WHO/UNICEF Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI). However, the 6 month exclusive breastfeeding prevalence remains relatively low in Malaysia, suggesting that there may be a gap between what is currently taught and what is received by the women. OBJECTIVES: To determine how women perceived their ANBE experience in the first 8 weeks postpartum including what was useful and what they would like to have been included, sources of ANBE and infant feeding practices at the time of survey. METHODS: Women during their first 8 weeks postpartum who attended MOH clinics in Penang State, Malaysia were surveyed using a self-administered questionnaire in April and May 2015. Categorical responses were presented as numbers and proportions while free text responses were compiled verbatim and categorised into themes. The perceptions of primiparous and multiparous women were compared. Multivariate logistic regression adjusted to known confounders was used to determine if ANBE was associated with exclusive breastfeeding at the time of survey. RESULTS: A total of 421 women completed the 15-item questionnaire (84% response rate) of which 282 were complete and available for analysis. Of these, 95% had received ANBE, majority (88%) from MOH clinics. Almost all women found it useful. However, there were areas both in the delivery (e.g. too short) and the content (e.g. nothing new) that were described as not useful; and areas they would like more coverage (e.g. milk expression, storage and overcoming low milk supply). The exclusive breastfeeding prevalence at the time of survey was 61%. ANBE was significantly associated with exclusive breastfeeding even after adjusting for confounders (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 8.1, 95% confidence interval 1.7, 38.3). CONCLUSIONS: ANBE is widely implemented and perceived as useful and may be associated with exclusive breastfeeding. Our findings give insight into content that women would like more of and how delivery of ANBE could be improved, including individualized sessions and communicating at a suitable level and language. Future studies could focus on the quality of ANBE delivery.

Impact of Prenatal Education on Breastfeeding Initiation Among Low-Income Women.

PURPOSE: To determine whether participants in the Baby Talk prenatal education program were more likely to initiate breastfeeding than nonparticipants. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study comparing women with a singleton pregnancy who were enrolled in Baby Talk with matched controls based on zip code, maternal age, race, language spoken, and payer source. SETTING: Urban Midwest county. SAMPLE: Baby Talk participants enrolled between November 2015 and December 2016 (n = 299) and matched controls identified through vital statistics records who were not enrolled (n = 1190). INTERVENTION: A 12-hour prenatal education curriculum with 2.5 hours of breastfeeding content. MEASURES: The primary outcome was breastfeeding at hospital discharge as reported in vital statistics. ANALYSIS: Likelihood-ratio χ2 and Fisher exact test were used to test the significant association between categorical variables. RESULTS: Baby Talk participants were significantly more likely to initiate breastfeeding (93.65%) than matched nonparticipants (87.48%; P = .003). Non-Hispanic white and black Baby Talk participants were more likely to initiate breastfeeding than controls (96.15% vs 89.83%; 91.03% vs 77.02%, respectively; P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: Prenatal education has the potential to increase breastfeeding initiation among low-income women, especially non-Hispanic white and black. This study is limited as participants were from a single community, though Baby Talk was offered at 5 separate locations, and potentially from information bias as it was reliant on the accuracy of vital statistics data.

Predictors of optimal breastfeeding practices in Worabe town, Silte zone, South Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: Studies in sub-Saharan Africa indicated the overall prevalence of optimal breast feeding ranged between a lowest of 17.63% in East Africa and a highest of 46.37% in West Africa. It's estimated that 823,000 deaths of children could be prevented every year through optimal breastfeeding practices. However optimal breastfeeding practices is low in most setting of Ethiopia. Therefore, this study aimed to assess optimal breastfeeding practices and associated factors in Worabe town. METHOD: A community-based analytical cross-sectional study was conducted from April 15th-25th, 2018. A systematic sampling technique was applied on 347 sampled mothers who had children greater than or equal to 2 years old. The data was entered into EpiData (version 3.1) and subsequently exported to SPSS Statistics (version 22) for analysis. Descriptive statistics were used for presenting summary data using tables and graph. Bivariate and multi variable logistic regression analysis to identify were used to identify associated factors. The statistical significance was declared at P<0.05. RESULT: Optimal breastfeeding was exhibited by 42.1% of mothers. Government employees (AOR = 8.0; 95% CI: 1.7, 36.4), families with a household income of 1,500-3,000 Ethiopian birr (AOR = 4.6; 95% CI: 1.0, 20.1), individuals knowledgeable about optimal breastfeeding practices (AOR: 5.5 95% CI: 1.6, 18.1), individuals counselled about breastfeeding practices during postnatal follow-ups (AOR = 4.940, 95% CI: 1.313, 10.195), and individuals that had a caesarean section delivery (AOR = 4.2, 95% CI: 1.2, 14.1) had a higher chance of practicing optimal breastfeeding. However, mothers who did not attend or have access to antenatal care follow-ups (AOR = 0.1, 95% CI: 0.04, 0.5) were less likely to practice optimal breastfeeding. CONCLUSIONS: Less than half of mothers breastfed their children optimally. Factors that influenced this included knowledge of optimal breastfeeding practices, total household income, the woman's occupation, access to breastfeeding counselling during postnatal care follow-ups, access to antenatal care follow-ups, and mode of delivery. It is strongly recommended that optimal breastfeeding awareness programs through health education be done in collaboration with health extension workers, and zonal health offices.

A mixed-methods assessment of disclosure of HIV status among expert mothers living with HIV in rural Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Peer support provided by experienced and/or trained "expert" women living with HIV has been adopted by prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV (PMTCT) programs across sub-Saharan Africa. While there is ample data on HIV status disclosure among non-expert women, there is little data on disclosure among such expert women, who support other women living with HIV. OBJECTIVE: This study compared HIV disclosure rates between expert and non-expert mothers living with HIV, and contextualized quantitative findings with qualitative data from expert women. METHODS: We compared survey data on HIV disclosure to male partners and family/friends from 37 expert and 100 non-expert mothers living with HIV in rural North-Central Nigeria. Four focus group discussions with expert mothers provided further context on disclosure to male partners, extended family and peers. Chi square and Fisher's exact tests were applied to quantitative data. Qualitative data were manually analyzed using a Grounded Theory approach. RESULTS: Two-thirds of the 137 participants were 21-30 years old; 89.8% were married, and 52.3% had secondary-level education. Disclosure to male partners was higher among expert (100.0%) versus non-expert mothers (85.0%), p = 0.035. Disclosure to anyone (93.1% vs 80.8%, p = 0.156), and knowledge of male partners' HIV status were similar (75.7% versus 66.7%, p = 0.324) between expert and non-expert mothers, respectively. With respect to male partners, HIV serodiscordance rates were also similar (46.4% vs 55.6%, p = 0.433). Group discussions indicated that expert mothers did not consistently disclose to their mentored clients, with community-level stigma and discrimination stated as major reasons for this non-disclosure. CONCLUSIONS: Expert mothers experience similar disclosure barriers as their non-expert peers, especially regarding disclosure outside of intimate relationships. Thus, attention to expert mothers' coping skills and disclosure status, particularly to mentored clients is important to maximize the impact of peer support in PMTCT. CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRATION: Clinicaltrials.gov registration number NCT01936753 (retrospective), September 3, 2013.

Low-cost self-paced interventions increase birth satisfaction in first time fathers.

OBJECTIVE: This research aims to investigate whether a skills or birth stories intervention for fathers can improve birth satisfaction of fathers. STUDY DESIGN: One hundred and seventy-four men were recruited and randomly assigned to a skills preparation group, a birth stories group, or a treatment as usual (TAU) group. One hundred sixteen men completed the three questionnaires relevant for this report (67% retention rate). Birth satisfaction was measured soon after birth. MEASURES: Demographic data and data related to partners pregnancy, birth and preparation were collected. The Mackey Childbirth Satisfaction Rating Scale was the primary outcome measure. RESULTS: It was found that men who received either of the birth preparation interventions (skills or birth stories booklet) had significantly higher birth satisfaction scores. An analysis found that, irrespective of intervention, his partner having an induction, a caesarean section, and his not being in full-time employment had a negative effect on birth satisfaction, while his partner having an epidural, his experiencing family life satisfaction before the birth, his finding antenatal classes useful, and having his birth delivery expectations met had a positive impact on birth satisfaction. CONCLUSION: Increasing the father's understanding, role expectations, and preparation for his partner's childbirth, may be important for fathers birth satisfaction. Expectations around childbirth and expectations of himself might be better managed to improve satisfaction. This study found evidence that simple low-cost interventions can improve birth satisfaction for new fathers.

Impacto de la educación para la salud en la lactancia materna. Beneficios para el recién nacido / Impact of health education on breastfeeding. Benefits for the newborn

OBJETIVOS El objetivo general del trabajo es conocer la efectividad entre la educación sanitaria sobre la lactancia materna en mujeres embarazadas en últimas semanas de fecha de parto en relación a su decisión de amamantar a sus hijos/as. MATERIALES Y MÉTODOS En primer lugar, se realiza una revisión bibliográfica del estado actual de la producción científica enfermera sobre la efectividad de la educación en la población relacionado con la lactancia materna. A continuación, se realiza un estudio de enfoque cuantitativo, medición de la variable y diseño con intervención siendo este cuasi experimental con una muestra de 102 mujeres embarazadas. RESULTADOS Tras la aplicación de los test preeducacional y posteducacional en las sesiones de educación maternal sobre la lactancia materna la comparativa es positiva respecto a la adquisición de nivel de conocimientos de las mujeres embarazadas de la lactancia materna con el objetivo de aumentar la tasa de lactancia materna exclusiva en la población. CONCLUSIONES En la actualidad existe evidencia científica de un notable descenso de madres que amamantan a sus hijos debido a una carencia de información adecuada sobre el tema. Para ello, se hace necesaria la realización de educación sanitaria, los programas de educación tienen un afán promotor en el uso de la lactancia natural.

OBJECTIVES The general objective of the work is to know the effectiveness among health education on breastfeeding in pregnant women in the last weeks of the date of delivery in relation to their decision to breastfeed their children. MATERIALS AND METHODS First, a bibliographic review of the current state of nursing scientific production on the effectiveness of education in the population related to breastfeeding is carried out. A quantitative approach, measurement of the variable and design with intervention study is carried out, this quasi-experimental being with a sample of 102 pregnant women. RESULTS After the application of the preeducational and posteducational tests in the maternal education sessions on breastfeeding, the comparison is positive regarding the acquisition of the level of knowledge of pregnant women of breastfeeding in order to increase the rate of exclusive breastfeeding in the population. CONCLUSIONS Currently there is scientific evidence of a notable decline in mothers who breastfeed their children due to a lack of adequate information on the subject. For this, it is necessary to carry out health education, education programs have a promoting desire in the use of breastfeeding.

Individualized intervention to improve rates of exclusive breastfeeding: A randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Despite breastfeeding is significant benefits for maternal and infant, the discontinuation of breastfeeding is high. Some of studies showed that the effect of intervention in improving the rate of exclusively breastfeeding is unclear. The aim of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of individualized intervention compared with routine care in improving rates of exclusive breast feeding. METHODS: Women were divided into two groups. We provided individual antenatal breastfeeding education and postnatal lactation support to intervention group. Control group received routine care. Significance was set at P < .05. RESULTS: We recruited 352 women of whom 176 were randomized to intervention group, 176 to control group. In total, 293 (83.2%) completed 4 months of follow-up. At discharge from hospital, 43.2% of women randomized to intervention group were exclusively breastfeeding compared with 30.0% of women in control group (relative risk 1.78; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.12-2.82). At 4 months, 70.9% of women in the intervention group were exclusively breastfeeding compared with 46.2% of the women in the control group (2.84; 1.76-4.60). At discharge from hospital, 95.1% of women in the intervention group were breastfeeding on demand compared with 68.1% of women receiving routine care (9.00; 4.09-19.74). At 4 months, 94.6% of women in intervention group were breastfeeding on demand compared with 75.9% of women in the control group (5.57; 2.48-12.49). CONCLUSION: The regular ongoing individualized antenatal education and postnatal support can effective increase the rates of exclusive breastfeeding from delivery to postpartum 4 months and change the breastfeeding behavior.

Assessment of childbirth preparation classes: a parallel convergent mixed study.

BACKGROUND: Women's fear from childbirth has been associated with increased medical interventions and traumatized birth experience. Although antenatal education is a crucial factor to empower and prepare women for their birth journey, it is not clear how Iranian childbirth classes can influence women's fear and prepare them positively towards childbirth. This research is designed to evaluate childbirth preparation classes and their impact on women's perception on their childbirth experiences. METHODS/DESIGN: This mixed method study with the parallel convergent design has two phases. The first phase will be a quantitative cohort study with 204 primiparous pregnant women at the gestational age of 35-37 weeks. The participants will be divided into three groups based on the number of their attendance into the childbirth preparation classes: a) regular participation (4 to 8 sessions), b) irregular participation (1 to 3 sessions), and c) no-participation. Participant will be followed-up to 1 month after birth. Antenatal data will be collected by using a demographic survey questionnaire, the Wijma Delivery Expectancy/Experience Questionnaire (W-DEQ, version A), the Van den Bergh Pregnancy-Related Anxiety Questionnaire, the Satisfaction with Childbirth Preparation Classes Questionnaire, the Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale (EPDS) and Knowledge regarding pregnancy and childbirth Questionnaire. Postnatal data will be collected by using an Obstetric and Labor Characteristics Questionnaire, EPDS, and Childbirth experience questionnaire (CEQ). The quantitative data will be analyzed using one-way ANOVA and the multivariate linear regression. The second phase of the study will be a qualitative study that will explore the women's perceptions on the impact of participation in childbirth preparation classes on their childbirth experience. The sampling in this phase will be purposeful and the participants will be studied individually by using in-depth, semi-structured interviews. The qualitative data will be analyzed through content analysis with conventional approach. DISCUSSION: Assessing the impact of childbirth preparation classes on women's childbirth experience in Iran will lead to developing recommendations about the content and quality of the childbirth classes that can improve women's' preparation towards positive childbirth.

Preference, knowledge and utilization of midwives, childbirth education classes and doulas among U.S. black and white women: implications for pregnancy and childbirth outcomes.

This secondary analysis explored preference, knowledge and utilization of midwifery care, childbirth education and doula care among 627 black and white women at three Midwestern U.S. health clinics. Women who were white, more educated, not living in a high crime neighborhood, and privately insured were more likely to attend childbirth classes. Sociodemographic factors that predicted having heard about doula care included being more educated and having a partner. None of the sociodemographic variables predicted midwifery care. Education about existing childbearing resources and availability of low-cost options should be expanded, particularly for black women and those with low resources.

Assessing the Feasibility and Effectiveness of Two Prenatal Breastfeeding Intervention Apps in Promoting Postpartum In-Hospital Exclusive Breastfeeding.

Purpose: To test the feasibility and possible effects of two iPad®-based breastfeeding interventions for expectant minority women and evaluate (1) the intervention effect on exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) intention, (2) intervention acceptability and satisfaction, and (3) follow-up rates of in-hospital EBF. Materials and Methods: This was a longitudinal survey study with follow-up chart review. Expectant women who completed clinically required breastfeeding education were eligible and were assigned to one of the following interventions by nonrandomized block design: the champion intervention utilized a free commercially available app to identify a supportive breastfeeding champion and the positive messaging intervention offered breastfeeding information in a question-answer format. Medical records were reviewed postpartum for in-hospital feeding choice. Data were analyzed using percentages, frequencies, chi-squared analyses, and McNemar's test. Results: We enrolled 243 publicly insured predominantly African American women: 132 and 111 completed the champion and positive messaging interventions, respectively. Thirty-two of 40 champion participants (80.03%) intended EBF and did in-hospital EBF; 39/86 champion participants (45.3%) not intending EBF did in-hospital EBF (p < 0.0001 for change). Similarly, 30/36 positive messaging participants (83.3%) intended EBF and did in-hospital EBF; 36/67 positive messaging participants (53.7%) not intending EBF did in-hospital EBF (p < 0.0001 for change). Conclusions: In this pilot of two brief, iPad-based prenatal interventions designed to promote in-hospital EBF among minority women, interventions were feasible and a statistically significant change in the proportion of women who intended (prenatally) and then chose (postpartum) EBF was noted. Additional controlled trials are needed to demonstrate the effectiveness of this approach.

A Quality Improvement Initiative to Improve the Care of Infants Born Exposed to Opioids by Implementing the Eat, Sleep, Console Assessment Tool.

OBJECTIVES: The incidence of infants born exposed to opioids continues to rise. Historically, newborns with neonatal abstinence syndrome have been treated with medication-weaning protocols, leading to costly and prolonged hospital stays. We aimed to reduce the proportion of newborns with neonatal abstinence syndrome who receive opioid medications for treatment of withdrawal symptoms through a quality improvement program. METHODS: In 2016, we formed a multidisciplinary team and used quality improvement methodology to conduct plan-do-study-act cycles. Interventions included prenatal education, family engagement, nonpharmacologic treatments, morphine as needed, and the eat, sleep, console assessment tool. Primary metrics were the proportion of newborns exposed to opioids requiring pharmacologic treatment and the cumulative dose of opioids per exposed newborn requiring pharmacologic treatment. RESULTS: There were 81 infants in the baseline period (January 2015-September 2016) and 100 infants in the postintervention group (October 2016-August 2018). For infants who required medication for treatment, the postintervention group had significantly lower total cumulative dose in methadone equivalents (1.3 mg vs 6.6 mg), shorter length of stay (10.9 days vs 18.7 days), and nonsignificant lower direct costs ($11 936 vs $15 039). CONCLUSIONS: The described intervention effectively replaced the Finnegan Neonatal Abstinence Scoring System and had improved outcomes in more exposed infants receiving no opioid treatment, and when medication was required, the total cumulative dose of opioids was lower. The postintervention group had shorter average length of stay and lower costs.