Neuroticism is associated with higher antenatal care utilization in obstetric low-risk women.

INTRODUCTION: Elevated neuroticism is associated with higher health care utilization in the general population. This study aimed to investigate the association between neuroticism and the use of publicly financed antenatal care in obstetric low-risk women, taking predisposing and need factors for health care utilization into consideration. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Participants comprised 1052 obstetric low-risk women (no chronic diseases or adverse pregnancy conditions) included in several obstetrics/gynecology studies in Uppsala, Sweden. Neuroticism was self-rated on the Swedish universities Scales of Personality. Medical records of their first subsequent pregnancy were scanned for antenatal care use. Associations between antenatal care use and neuroticism were analyzed with logistic regression (binary outcomes) or negative binomial regression (count outcomes) comparing the 75th and 25th neuroticism percentiles. Depending on the Akaike information criterion the exposure was modeled as either linear or with restricted cubic splines. Analyses were adjusted for predisposing (sociodemographic and parity) and need factors (body mass index and psychiatric morbidity). RESULTS: After adjustment, women with higher neuroticism had more fetal ultrasounds (incidence rate ratio = 1.09, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.02-1.16), more emergency visits to an obstetrician/gynecologist (incidence rate ratio = 1.22, 95% CI 1.03-1.45) and were more likely to visit a fear-of-childbirth clinic (odds ratio = 2.71, 95% CI 1.71-4.29). Moreover, they more often consulted midwives in specialized antenatal care facilities (significant J-shaped association). CONCLUSIONS: Neuroticism was associated with higher utilization of publicly financed antenatal care in obstetric low-risk women, even after adjusting for predisposing and need factors. Future studies should address the benefits of interventions as a complement to routine antenatal care programs to reduce subclinical anxiety.

Women's experiences of miscarriage related to diagnosis, duration, and type of treatment.

INTRODUCTION: Women with miscarriage experience several negative emotional feelings such as grief, isolation, coping, and despair. However, less is known about how the type of treatment and diagnosis of miscarriage influence the emotional experience. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The present study was a randomized prospective longitudinal cohort study, in which women with spontaneous miscarriage (n = 35), and women with missed miscarriage (n = 67), were included to answer three validated questionnaires: Revised Impact of Miscarriage Scale, Perinatal Grief Scale, and Montgomery and Åsberg Depression Rating Scale, concerning experience of miscarriage, psychological well-being, and mental health 1 week and 4 months after finalized treatment. RESULTS: There was no difference between the 2 diagnosis groups in feelings as measured by Revised Impact of Miscarriage Scale, Montgomery and Åsberg Depression Rating Scale, and Perinatal Grief Scale 1 week after the miscarriage. However, the psychological well-being improved significantly 4 months after the miscarriage. Separated by treatment, women treated with misoprostol alone had more depressive symptoms than women treated with misoprostol and subsequent vacuum aspiration. CONCLUSIONS: It can be concluded that diagnosis of miscarriage had limited influence on the experiences of miscarriage, but shorter duration of treatment with misoprostol and subsequent vacuum aspiration resulted in fewer depressive symptoms.

Live birth outcome, spontaneous pregnancy and adoption up to five years after undergoing assisted reproductive technology treatment.

INTRODUCTION: This study is part of a longitudinal cohort undertaken in both women and men to describe live birth outcome after undergoing assisted reproductive technology (ART) treatment in a clinical setting. Another objective was to follow women and men living with children from other alternatives after ART, such as adoption. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 439 (80.5%) women and 423 (77.6%) men were included in the baseline cohort (2005-2007). Live birth rate after ART was 24.8% at baseline. Up to 5 years later (2010-2011) the same participants were sent individual postal questionnaires (n = 439). RESULTS: Overall, 278 (63.3%) women and 183 (41.7%) men filled in and returned the questionnaire at follow up. The majority of women (91.7%) and men (93.4%) were living with children. A total of 225 (80.9%) women had a live birth at follow up. Of these, almost three of four (71.6%) had a live birth after ART and more than one of four (28.0%) after spontaneous pregnancies or both. Of these, 52 (26.1%) women had a subsequent live birth after successful ART and 26 (32.9%) women after unsuccessful ART. Nineteen (6.8%) women and 13 (7.1%) men had a child after adoption. Almost one of five (19.1%) women had no live birth at follow up. CONCLUSION: The majority of women and men were living with children, resulting from a live birth after ART, spontaneous pregnancy and/or adoption up to 5 years later. However, almost one of five had no live birth at follow up.

Validation of the Revised Impact of Miscarriage Scale for Swedish conditions and comparison between Swedish and American couples' experiences after miscarriage.

INTRODUCTION: There is a lack of knowledge in women's and men's experience of miscarriage. The Revised Impact of Miscarriage Scale (RIMS) has been used in United States to measure the experiences after miscarriage. The first objective was to test the consistency of RIMS for Swedish conditions. The second purpose of this study was to compare Swedish and American couples' experience of miscarriage by use of the RIMS. METHODS: Forward and back translation was used for translating RIMS into Swedish. This is a hospital-based comparative study including Swedish couples (n = 70) and American couples (n = 70). The couples were matched by the women's age, week of miscarriage and number of children. All participants answered socio-demographic, fertility and depression-scale questions in addition to RIMS. RESULTS: Cronbach's alpha analysis was above 0.650, the mean value was 0.824. There was no significant difference between the Swedish and American participants on the factors 'Isolation/Guilt' and 'Devastating event', but the Swedish women and men scored significantly lower on the factor 'Loss of baby' than the American women and men. The men, Swedish and American combined, scored lower than the women in all factors but the correlation within the couples was similar for both Swedish and American couples. CONCLUSIONS: The high consistency between the countries suggests that the RIMS questionnaire is reliable for both women and men to be used in both countries and two of three factors were similar between the two countries.

Reproductive sex ending in failure affects sexual health - A qualitative study of men and women attending a fertility clinic.

OBJECTIVE: To explore men's and women's experiences regarding their history of sexual health when attending a fertility clinic. METHODS: A qualitative study with semi-structured individual interviews was conducted among heterosexual males and females seeking infertility care at a public fertility clinic in Sweden in 2022-2023. The interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and analyzed using qualitative content analysis. RESULTS: Eight males and ten females were included. The analysis resulted in an overarching theme: A change from spontaneous to scheduled intercourse affects various aspects of sexual health. In the beginning of the relationship sex had been spontaneous, joyful and satisfying. However, sex was not always unproblematic, and there had been sexual changes. Sex with a reproductive purpose was scheduled according to ovulation, leading to changes in sexual behavior. Increased erectile problems in men and decreased frequency of orgasms in women, and a lack of sexual desire in both, were experienced. Men and women felt pressured to have sex when it became a requirement. Men's sexual and women's reproductive failures led to negative emotional reactions, including stress, frustration, disappointment, anxiety and guilt. Sexual and reproductive problems affected the relational well-being, leading to feelings of sharing the burden but also conflicts and sexual avoidance. CONCLUSIONS: Experiencing reproductive failures, sexual problems and negative emotional reactions can affect men's and women's sexual health. Therefore, an implication for clinical practice among healthcare professionals during evaluation of infertility, is a need to be aware of and ask questions about sexual health after reproductive failures.

Characteristics of good contraceptive counselling - An interview study.

OBJECTIVE: One key component in preventing unplanned pregnancies is to provide effective contraceptive counselling. This study aimed to investigate what characterises good contraceptive counselling from the woman's perspective. METHODS: A qualitative study with a phenomenological approach. Twenty-four women aged 15-45 participated in semi-structured, individual, face-to-face interviews that lasted, on average, one hour. Data were analysed by latent content analysis. RESULTS: One overall theme emerged, person-centred contraceptive counselling - an interactive process, with three main categories: (i) a trustworthy healthcare provider, (ii) creating a liaison and (iii) the right time and place. CONCLUSIONS: The healthcare provider's attributes as well as what happened between the healthcare provider and the woman, and the surrounding context, had a bearing on the women's descriptions of good contraceptive counselling. The process of the counselling was described as more important than the actual outcome; thus, healthcare providers need to be aware that this seemingly straightforward consultation is rather multi-layered and has great health promoting potential.

Exploring Swedish single women's decision to choose motherhood through medically assisted reproduction - a qualitative study.

New legislation was introduced in Sweden in 2016, giving single women access to medically assisted reproduction (MAR). While Swedish single women's characteristics and motivations for choosing motherhood through MAR were assessed in our previous pilot survey, their experience of considering and making the decision to undergo MAR has not been assessed through a qualitative approach. Thus, the aim of this study was to explore Swedish single women´s experience of making the decision to choose motherhood through MAR. The study design was a qualitative method with a semi-structured interview guide used for individual face-to-face interviews. Sixteen single women accepted for MAR were interviewed individually during their waiting time to start treatment. Qualitative content analysis was used to analyse the data. The data analyses resulted in three main categories: (i) longing and belonging; (ii) social exclusion and support; and (iii) evaluation and encounter. The overarching theme reflects the decision to become a single mother by choice: motherhood through MAR - an emotional and ambivalent decision to make on your own. In conclusion, to reach motherhood, by giving birth to one's child and not deviating from the norm as childless, was considered important among these women when making the decision to become a single mother by choice.

Freebirth, the only option for women who do not fit into common practice- A Swedish national interview study.

OBJECTIVE: To explore women's experience of freebirth, as giving birth without the presence of a skilled healthcare professional such as a midwife. METHODS: Online semi-structured interviews with nine multiparous women in Sweden. A qualitative experiential approach, as described by Burnard, was followed for data analysis. RESULTS: The five main categories explored were: (i) previous negative experiences of hospital care as a reason for freebirth; (ii) receiving support for the decision of freebirth was crucial; (iii) longing for individual midwifery-assisted home-birthing support; (iv) to give birth in peace and in self-control, in the safe home environment; and (v) helpful support during labor and birth was appreciated. CONCLUSIONS: The women in the study had a powerful and positive experience of freebirth, but individual midwifery birthing support was also requested. Easily available and respectful midwifery support should be offered to all childbearing women.

Motherhood through medically assisted reproduction - characteristics and motivations of Swedish single mothers by choice.

Characteristics and motivations of single mothers by choice were assessed in this pilot study, after new legislation in 2016 allowing access to medically assisted reproduction (MAR). Single women at a university clinic in Sweden were sent a postal questionnaire to their home address (n = 86) and 54 (62.8%) women filled it out and returned it. The women had a mean age of 35.1 years and were well-educated. Most of them worked full-time, were permanently employed, and had a stable income. They had previously had long-term relationships, although these had not been right for having children. More women (61%) could consider embryo donation rather than adoption (50%) (p < 0.05). The motivations most commonly cited for choosing motherhood by MAR was that because of their age, having a child was more important than waiting for the right partner. Nevertheless, they still had hope to find a partner in the future. In conclusion, Swedish single women accepted for MAR are no different from other single mothers by choice: they are financially and socially stable, and choose motherhood by MAR due to their advanced age and not wanting to wait too long in order to meet the right partner.

Proportion, Characteristics and Maternal Outcome of women referred for childbirth to a tertiary hospital in northern Tanzania - A descriptive retrospective study based on a hospital birth registry.

OBJECTIVE: Timely identification of danger signs and prompt referral to higher level may prevent complication associated with childbirth. With a high MMR in Tanzania, there is need to highlight the information on the proportion of women referred to tertiary healthcare, their basic characteristics and outcomes. This study aimed to determine the proportion, basic characteristics and outcomes among women referred while in labour, from lower health facilities to a tertiary hospital in northern Tanzania. METHODS: A descriptive retrospective study based on a hospital birth registry was conducted using consecutive stored data on pregnant women referred while in labour and managed at a tertiary hospital in northern Tanzania, between the years 2000 and 2015. RESULTS: During the study period, a total of 53,662 deliveries were managed. Among these, 6066 women were referred from lower health facilities, with 4193 (69.2%) of them being referred while in labour. The main reason for referral was poor progress of labour (31.0%), followed by prolonged labour (27.1%) and obstructed labour (19.5%). The rate of caesarean section was 44.6%. A total of 292 maternal deaths occurred between 2000 and 2015. Of these, almost a quarter (22.6%) occurred in women referred from other health facilities while in labour. CONCLUSION: Majority of referred women while in labour from lower health facilities are linked to maternal complications associated with childbirth. This underscores the need to further explore the competence of lower health facilities to quickly detect complications and provide effective emergency obstetric care, as well as timely referral to higher-level facility.

Unresolved grief in women and men in Sweden three years after undergoing unsuccessful in vitro fertilization treatment.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the experience of undergoing unsuccessful in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment and of remaining childless 3 years after IVF in both women and men. DESIGN: Qualitative-approach study. SAMPLE: Ten women and nine men who had attended a public fertility clinic in Sweden. METHODS: Individual qualitative semi-structured interviews were conducted with qualitative content analysis guiding the analysis. RESULTS: Three years after the end of IVF treatment, most men and women were still processing and had not adapted to childlessness, indicating that the grieving process was unresolved. Unsuccessful IVF was experienced by women in terms of grief, whereas men took upon themselves a supportive role and did not express grief. A need for professional support and counseling in how to handle grief was described. An unstructured end after IVF treatment left unanswered questions. CONCLUSIONS: The grieving process after unsuccessful IVF treatment was hampered among both men and women. The provision of additional individual support during IVF is recommended as men and women experienced childlessness differently. Support and counseling concerning grief reactions following IVF failure, and a structured final consultation after IVF may facilitate the grieving process after undergoing unsuccessful IVF treatment.

Personality traits associated with depressive and anxiety disorders in infertile women and men undergoing in vitro fertilization treatment.

OBJECTIVE: To assess which personality traits are associated with depressive and/or anxiety disorders in infertile women and men undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF). DESIGN: Prospective study. SETTING: A university hospital in Sweden. POPULATION: A total of 856 eligible women and men, 428 couples, were approached to participate. Overall 643 (75.1%) subjects filled out the Swedish Universities Scales of Personality (SSP) questionnaire. The response rates were 323 women (75.5%) and 320 men (74.8%). METHODS: The SSP, a self-rating personality trait questionnaire, was used for evaluation. Main outcome measures. Personality traits associated with depression and/or anxiety disorders. RESULTS: Higher mean scores on all neuroticism-related personality traits were found in women and men with depressive and/or anxiety disorders compared to women and men with no diagnosis. High scores of neuroticism and a negative pregnancy test after IVF were associated with depressive and/or anxiety disorders among women. Among men, high scores of neuroticism and unexplained or male infertility factor were associated with depressive and/or anxiety disorders. High neuroticism scores were negatively associated with live birth (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: High scores on neuroticism-related personality traits were associated with depressive and/or anxiety disorders in women and men undergoing IVF.

Health care providers' perceptions of family planning and contraception education for adolescents in Kampala, Uganda - A qualitative study.

OBJECTIVES: Unsafe abortions are a reproductive health problem in low-income countries, but can be prevented by decreasing unintended pregnancies. The objective was to describe health care providers' (HCPs) perceptions of family planning and contraception education for adolescents in Kampala, Uganda. STUDY DESIGN: A qualitative study with a semi-structured interview guide was used for individual face-to-face interviews. Eight participants from two different Non-governmental organisations were interviewed. Qualitative content analysis was used to analyse the data. RESULTS: Data analysis resulted in three main categories of HCP perceptions: counseling, education and availability; peer-educators and community leaders; and stigma, inequality and myths. The providers emphasized the importance to discuss and eradicate the myths and misconceptions among adolescents regarding family planning methods by giving information, preferably at early ages. Peer-educators and community leaders were the most successful methods for accessing and involving the community. Approaches mentioned for reaching out to adolescents included involving parents, using social media, and offering education in schools. Furthermore, the providers highlighted to involve the males in family planning. CONCLUSIONS: Health care providers emphasized the importance to discuss and eradicate the myths and misconceptions among adolescents regarding different family planning methods by education in school and information in sexual and reproductive health.

Psychiatric disorders in women and men up to five years after undergoing assisted reproductive technology treatment - a prospective cohort study.

This is a prospective cohort study with the objective to describe psychiatric disorders, such as any mood and anxiety disorders, in both women and men five years after assisted reproductive technology (ART). The Primary Care Evaluation of Mental Disorders (PRIME-MD) questionnaire, based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV), was used as the diagnostic tool to evaluate psychiatric disorders. Logistic regression analysis was used to calculate odds ratios (ORs) and confidence interval (CI) for factors associated with psychiatric disorders at the follow-up. Overall, 278 (63.3%) women and 183 (41.7%) men filled in and returned the questionnaire. Approximately 11.5% of women and 5.5% of men fulfilled the criteria for any psychiatric diagnosis. Of these, any mood disorder was present in 9.4% of women and 4.4% of men. The major risk factor for mood or anxiety disorders at follow-up was mood or anxiety disorders at the time of the index ART. Mood disorders were not more common in women who remained childless after ART. In conclusion, these findings indicate that psychiatric disorders at five years follow-up after ART are less common than at the baseline assessment in conjunction with the ART.

Investigating the association between neuroticism and adverse obstetric and neonatal outcomes.

Neuroticism is not only associated with affective disorders but also with certain somatic health problems. However, studies assessing whether neuroticism is associated with adverse obstetric or neonatal outcomes are scarce. This observational study comprises first-time mothers (n = 1969) with singleton pregnancies from several cohorts based in Uppsala, Sweden. To assess neuroticism-related personality, the Swedish universities Scales of Personality was used. Swedish national health registers were used to extract outcomes and confounders. In logistic regression models, odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated for the outcomes by an increase of 63 units of neuroticism (equalling the interquartile range). Analyses were adjusted for maternal age, educational level, height, body mass index, year of delivery, smoking during pregnancy, involuntary childlessness, and psychiatric morbidity. Main outcomes were mode of delivery, gestational diabetes mellitus, gestational hypertension, preeclampsia, induction of delivery, prolonged delivery, severe lacerations, placental retention, postpartum haemorrhage, premature birth, infant born small or large for gestational age, and Apgar score. Neuroticism was not independently associated with adverse obstetric or neonatal outcomes besides gestational diabetes. For future studies, models examining sub-components of neuroticism or pregnancy-specific anxiety are encouraged.

Longitudinal study of emotional experiences, grief and depressive symptoms in women and men after miscarriage.

OBJECTIVE: Although miscarriage is common and affects up to 20% of pregnant women, little is known about these couples' short term and long term experiences after miscarriage. The aim of the present study was to study emotional experience, grief and depressive symptoms in women and men, one week and four months after miscarriage. RESEARCH DESIGN /SETTING: Women, (n = 103), and their male partner (n = 78), were recruited at the gynecological clinic after miscarriage. Control women were recruited from the general population. Three validated questionnaires concerning psychological wellbeing and mental health, RIMS, PGS and MADRS-S were answered by the participants one week and four months after the miscarriage. FINDINGS: It was shown that for women, the emotional experiences of miscarriage, grief and depressive symptoms were more pronounced than for their male partners. Grief and depressive symptoms were reduced with time, which was not the case for the emotional experiences of miscarriage. Previous children was favorable for emotional experience while previous miscarriage or infertility treatment made the emotional experience worse. CONCLUSION: Grief and depressive symptoms is reduced over time while emotional experiences such as isolation, loss of baby and a devastating event persist for longer time than four months. Lack of previous children, previous miscarriage and infertility diagnosis could increase negative emotional experiences after miscarriage, this was especially pronounced for grief reaction. The questionnaires could be used both clinically and in research to understand the emotional experiences after miscarriage.

Early skin-to-skin contact between healthy late preterm infants and their parents: an observational cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Skin-to-skin contact (SSC) is an important factor to consider in the care of late preterm infants (born between 34 0/7 and 36 6/7 completed weeks of gestation). The literature suggests that SSC between preterm infants and their mothers facilitates breastfeeding. However, more studies are needed to explore potential dose-response effects between SSC and breastfeeding as well as studies that explicitly investigate SSC by fathers among late preterm infants. The aim was to investigate the duration of healthy late preterm infants' SSC with the mother and father, respectively, during the first 48 h after birth and the associations with breastfeeding (exclusive/partial at discharged), clinical and demographic variables. METHODS: This was an observational cohort study in which parents to healthy late preterm infants, born between 34 5/7 and 36 6/7 completed weeks of gestation, recorded duration of SSC provided by mother and father, respectively. Demographic and clinical variables were retrieved from the medical records and were used as predictors. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to assess the association between the predictors and the outcome, SSC (hours), separately for mothers and fathers. RESULTS: The mean (standard deviation [SD]) time per day spent with SSC with mothers (n = 64) and fathers (n = 64), was 14.7 (5.6) and 4.4 (3.3) hours during the first day (24 h) after birth and 9.2 (7.1) and 3.1 (3.3) hours during the second day (24 h), respectively. Regarding SSC with mothers, no variable was significantly associated with SSC during the first day, while the mean (95% confidence interval [CI]) time of SSC during the second day was 6.9 (1.4-12.4) hours shorter for each additional kg of birthweight (p = 0.014). Concerning SSC with fathers, the mean (95% CI) time of SSC during the first day was 2.1 (0.4-3.7) hours longer for infants born at night (p = 0.015), 1.7 (0.1-3.2) hours longer for boys (p = 0.033), 3.2 (1.2-5.2) hours longer for infants born by caesarean section (p = 0.003), and 1.6 (0.1-3.1) hours longer for infants exclusively breastfed at discharge (p = 0.040). During the second day, the mean (95% CI) time of SSC with fathers was 3.0 (0.6-5.4) hours shorter for each additional kg of birthweight (p = 0.014), 2.0 (0.5-3.6) hours longer for infants born during night-time (p = 0.011), 2.9 (1.4-4.4) hours longer if the mother was primipara (p < 0.001), and 1.9 (0.3-3.5) hours shorter if supplementary artificial milk feeds were given. None of the other predictors, i.e., mother's age, gestational age, or induction of labor were significantly associated with infants' SSC with mothers or fathers during any of the first two days after birth. CONCLUSION: Future studies are warranted that investigate duration of SSC between late preterm infants and their parents separately and the associations with breastfeeding and other variables of clinical importance.

Healthy late preterm infants and supplementary artificial milk feeds: effects on breast feeding and associated clinical parameters.

OBJECTIVES: to compare the influence of supplementary artificial milk feeds on breast feeding and certain clinical parameters among healthy late preterm infants given regular supplementary artificial milk feeds versus being exclusively breast fed from birth. DESIGN: a comparative study using quantitative methods. Data were collected via a parental diary and medical records. METHODS: parents of 77 late preterm infants (34 5/7-36 6/7 weeks), whose mothers intended to breast feed, completed a diary during the infants׳ hospital stay. FINDINGS: infants who received regular supplementary artificial milk feeds experienced a longer delay before initiation of breast feeding, were breast fed less frequently and had longer hospital stays than infants exclusively breast fed from birth. Exclusively breast-fed infants had a greater weight loss than infants with regular artificial milk supplementation. A majority of the mothers (65%) with an infant prescribed artificial milk never expressed their milk and among the mothers who used a breast-pump, milk expression commenced late (10-84 hours after birth). At discharge, all infants were breast fed to some extent, 43% were exclusively breast fed. KEY CONCLUSIONS: clinical practice and routines influence the initiation of breast feeding among late preterm infants and may act as barriers to the mothers׳ establishment of exclusive breast feeding.

The Swedish Version of the Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale-Short Form: Reliability and Validity Assessment.

BACKGROUND: Among Swedish mothers, breastfeeding duration has been declining in recent years. An instrument for early identification of women at risk for shorter breastfeeding duration may be useful in reversing this trend. OBJECTIVES: The aims of this study were to translate and psychometrically test the Swedish version of the Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale-Short Form (BSES-SF), examine the relationship between breastfeeding self-efficacy and demographic variables, and evaluate associations with breastfeeding continuation plans in Swedish mothers. METHODS: The BSES-SF was translated into Swedish using forward and back translation. The sample consisted of 120 mothers who, during the first week postpartum, came for a routine follow-up visit at the postnatal unit in a university hospital. The mothers were compared based on demographic data and their future breastfeeding plans. RESULTS: The Cronbach's alpha coefficient for internal consistency for the BSES-SF was 0.91 and the majority of correlation coefficients exceeded 0.3. A 1-factor solution was found that explained 46% of the total variance. There was no difference in confidence in breastfeeding between mothers with early hospital discharge and mothers who received postnatal care at the hospital. Primiparas who stayed longer at the hospital were less confident in breastfeeding than primiparas who had a shorter hospital stay. Breastfeeding mothers who planned to partially breastfeed in the near future had lower BSES-SF scores, compared to those who planned to continue exclusive breastfeeding. CONCLUSION: The Swedish version of the BSES-SF has good reliability, validity, and agreement with mothers' plans regarding breastfeeding continuation and exclusivity.

Outcome of deliveries in healthy but obese women: obesity and delivery outcome.

BACKGROUND: Obesity among fertile women is a global problem. 25% of pregnant Swedish women are overweight at admission to the antenatal clinic and 12% of them are considered as obese. Previous studies have shown an increased risk of delivery complications with an elevated maternal BMI. The aim of this study was to evaluate delivery outcomes in relation to maternal BMI on admission to the antenatal clinic.A healthy group of 787 women with full-term pregnancies and spontaneous onset of labor were included in the study. Delivery outcome was assessed in relation to maternal BMI when attending the antenatal clinic. RESULTS: The results indicated that in deliveries where the maternal BMI was >30 a high frequency of abnormal CTG trace during the last 30 minutes of labor was shown. A blood sample for evaluation of risk of fetal hypoxia was performed in only eight percent of these deliveries. A spontaneous vaginal delivery without intervention was noted in 85.7%, and 12% of neonates were delivered with an adverse fetal outcome compared to 2.8% in the group with a maternal BMI<30 (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: These results indicate an increased risk at delivery for healthy, but obese women in labor. Furthermore, the delivery management may not always be optimal in these deliveries.