Constructing maternal morbidity - towards a standard tool to measure and monitor maternal health beyond mortality.

BACKGROUND: Maternal morbidity is a complex entity and its presentation and severity are on a spectrum. This paper describes the conceptualization and development of a definition for maternal morbidity, and the framework for its measurement: the maternal morbidity matrix, which is the foundation for measuring maternal morbidity, thus, the assessment tool. DISCUSSION: We define maternal morbidity and associated disability as "any health condition attributed to and/or complicating pregnancy and childbirth that has a negative impact on the woman's wellbeing and/or functioning." A matrix of 121 conditions was generated through expert meetings, review of the International Classification of Diseases and related health problems (ICD-10), literature reviews, applying the definition of maternal morbidity and a cut-off of >0.1% prevalence. This matrix has three dimensions: identified morbidity category, reported functioning impact and maternal history. The identification criteria for morbidity include 58 symptoms, 29 signs, 44 investigations and 35 management strategies; these criteria are aimed at recognizing the medical condition, or the functional impact/disability component that will capture the negative impact experienced by the woman. The maternal morbidity matrix is a practical framework for assessing maternal morbidity beyond near-miss. In light of the emerging attention to Universal Health Coverage (UHC) as part of the post-2015 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) planning, a definition and standard identification criteria are essential to measuring its extent and impact.

Redesigning German Maternity Records: Results from a Pilot study.

PURPOSE: The German maternity record (GMR, "Mutterpass") is the most important document for pregnant women and their health care providers during antenatal care. While the serological and ultrasound sections have been updated regularly, the document's catalogue of pre-existing factors has remained unaltered since 1986. We investigated whether a health-focused revision of the GMR would serve the needs of pregnant women and their care providers. METHODS: A revised version of the Mutterpass was developed by a multidisciplinary panel of experts, focusing on health and salutogenesis. The new document highlights the uncomplicated pregnancy, and gives pregnant women the opportunity to make their own notes and to choose an appropriate place of birth after consultation with the doctor or midwife. These changes were developed within the requirements of the latest version of the German maternity guidelines (GMG) mandatory during the revision process. To test for user-friendliness and acceptance, 23 persons--8 consultants, 7 midwives and 8 pregnant women--were asked to evaluate the revised GMR. Comments could be entered in the GMR itself and in an electronic survey. Notes in the GMR (n=296 comments) were assigned to one of 7 categories (e. g. general comments, structural aspects) by 2 reviewers. After 6 weeks one of the reviewers repeated her evaluation. RESULTS: 20 of the 23 persons approached wrote comments in the document, 19 participated in the electronic survey. Consultants and midwives predominantly stated that they would prefer to work with the revised GMR (92%). Pregnant women appreciated the space for their own notes (83%). Most respondents (90%) had a good general impression. Inter-observer agreement was kappa=0.43, intra-observer agreement kappa=0.55. CONCLUSIONS: This health-focused version of the German maternity record is a first step towards optimising maternity records in Germany. Future investigations should consider revisions going beyond the content of the mandatory guidelines.

Human rights in the Horn of Africa: an index of child and maternal health.

OBJECTIVE: To construct a territorial measure and classification of child and maternal health in the countries of the Horn of Africa based on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015. METHOD: The design of our index includes the variables child and maternal health defined in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to enable territorial ranking of the countries. For this purpose, we used Pena's distance method for 2017. RESULTS: The results indicate a relatively high territorial disparity in maternal health between the countries of the Horn of Africa according to the differing values of the SDGs variables of child and maternal health. CONCLUSIONS: We propose a territorial classification in the countries of the Horn of Africa. We believe that the most striking differences between countries relate to basic variables of maternal health such as being attended by skilled health personnel.

Manobra de Kristeller: há benefício nesta técnica? / Kristeller Maneuver: is there benefit in this technique? / Manobra de Kristeller: ¿hay beneficio en esta técnica?

Objetivo: analisar os benefícios e os malefícios que Manobra de Kristeller apresenta na prática obstétrica para a mulher e o concepto. Método: trata-se de uma revisão integrativa realizada nas bases de dados LILACS, BDENF, IBECS e MEDLINE. Interpretou-se os resultados sintetizando-os de forma crítica e descritiva. Resultados: a amostra foi composta por nove estudos publicados entre 2007 a 2017. Estas publicações evidenciaram que esta manobra não possui benefício, em contrapartida, pode trazer vários malefícios à mulher como disfunções no sistema urinário, dispaurenia, dor perineal, incontinência anal, além do aumento do número de episotomias. Em relação ao concepto, foram encontrados registros de cefalohematomas, aumento do ritmo cardíaco fetal, hemorragia epidural e Caput sucedaneum. Conclusão: as publicações referem que esta manobra trará uma história reprodutiva marcada por traumas, além de reforçar o não uso desta técnica

Objective: to analyze the benefits and harms that the Kristeller Maneuver presents in obstetric practice for women and the concept. Method: this is an integrative review carried out in LILACS, BDENF, IBECS e MEDLINE. The results were interpreted by synthesizing them in a critical and descriptive way. Results: the sample was made by nine studies launched in 2007 to 2017. These subjects showed that this is not a benefit option, in contrast, it can bring several harm to the woman such as dysfunctions in the urinary system, dyspaurenia, perineal pain, anal incontinence, in addition to an increase in the number of episiotomies. Regarding the concept, the records of cephalhematomas, increased cardiac rhythm, epidural hemorrhage and Caput substudum were found. Conclusions: The publications referenced this maneuver to a reproductive culture marked by traumas, besides promoting the non-use of this technique

Objetivo: analizar los beneficios y los maleficios que la Manobra de Kristeller presenta en la práctica obstétrica para la mujer y el concepto. Método: se trata de una revisión integrativa realizada en las bases de datos LILACS, BDENF, IBECS e MEDLINE. Se interpretó los resultados sintetizándolos de forma crítica y descriptiva. Resultados: la muestra fue hecha por nueve estudios lanzados en 2007 a 2017. Estas materias evidenciaron que ésta no es una opción de beneficio, en contrapartida, puede traer varios maleficios a la mujer como disfunciones en el sistema urinario, dispaurenia, dolor perineal, incontinencia anal, además del aumento del número de episotomías. En relación al concepto, se encontraron los registros de cefalhematomas, aumento del ritmo cardíaco, hemorragia epidural y Caput sucedaneum. Conclusión: Las publicaciones referenciaron esta maniobra a una cultura reproductiva marcada por traumas, además de promover el no uso de esta técnica