Providers' Reports of Environmental Conditions and Resources at Births in the United States.

Environmental conditions and resources that may influence provider's behaviors have been investigated in birth environments focusing on location rather than conditions and available resources. Using a descriptive, cross sectional design, we surveyed a random sample of certified nurse-midwives (CNMs), obstetricians, family practice physicians, and certified professional midwives (CPMs) to describe conditions, resources, and workforce present during U.S. births. In all, 1,243 midwives and physicians reported most environmental resources were present at almost 100% of births they attended. Conditions varied: room noise acceptability restriction of phone calls/texts from any source and lighting kept to a minimum. Trainees were present at most births regardless of setting and provider type. The impact of room noise, phone calls/texting, and lighting on outcomes should be determined. The roles and impact of personnel, including trainees, should be described. The extent to which clusters of resources are associated with outcomes might provide new directions for interventions that improve care.

Variables That Influence US Midwife and Physician Management of the Third Stage of Labor.

INTRODUCTION: Midwives and physicians incorporate their knowledge, experiences, and other variables in making clinical decisions. Variations in the management of the third stage of labor may be a result of variables that influence providers' decision making. The purpose of this study was to describe variables that influence US midwives' and physicians' management of the third stage of labor. METHODS: A randomly selected national sample of certified nurse-midwives and certified midwives, certified professional midwives, obstetricians, and family physicians was surveyed about the extent to which maternal characteristics, maternal history, and current birth characteristics influence their third-stage management. The extent of influence was defined in terms of always to never altering management. Descriptive summaries, group comparisons, and partial correlations were used to determine differences in influences between midwives and physicians. One free-text question was analyzed using qualitative methods. RESULTS: A total of 1243 clinicians responded. There was considerable variability in the response patterns in that the same variable was reported to always alter management during the third stage of labor for some participants yet did not influence the management practices of others at all. Differences between responses from midwives and physicians were explored as a possible explanation for some of the variability. In response to the free-text inquiry about variables that most influenced changes in participants' usual management of the third stage, the participants most often included active bleeding, current recommendations or guidelines, and maternal or family preferences. DISCUSSION: This study identifies variables reported as influencing clinical decision making during the third stage of labor. Therefore, these variables are important to consider when evaluating interventions and outcomes related to management of the third stage of labor and any attempts to design new interventions. The findings are descriptive of practice; they are not intended to guide changes in practice.

US Physician and Midwife Adherence to Active Management of the Third Stage of Labor International Recommendations.

INTRODUCTION: The prevalence of postpartum hemorrhage has increased in the United States despite the international promotion of active management of the third stage of labor. Adherence to the international recommendations in the United States is unclear. It is also not known how the components of active management are related to other practices that may be used during the third stage of labor. The purpose of this study was to determine routine practice patterns for managing the third stage of labor in the United States. METHODS: A randomized national survey was conducted of certified nurse-midwives/certified midwives, certified professional midwives, obstetricians, and family physicians who self-reported third-stage practices. Descriptive analyses and partial correlations were used to determine differences in practice patterns between midwives and physicians. A 2-step clustering algorithm was used to identify clusters of third-stage practices. RESULTS: A total of 1243 clinicians responded. Uterine massage after placenta expulsion was reportedly used at almost every birth by all provider types. Median use of cord traction and oxytocin administration by all provider types was 80% and 90% of births, respectively. Cluster analysis of these and other interventions used during the third stage of labor revealed 4 distinct clusters of practices ranging from primarily a hands-off at one extreme to high-intervention approaches at the other extreme. The other 2 clusters were defined by practices that fell between those extremes. DISCUSSION: Determination of how, and under what conditions, clinicians decide when to use particular techniques to manage the third stage of labor and how these techniques influence the incidence of postpartum hemorrhage, is necessary. The clusters of practice combinations that emerged in this study suggest that there are extreme variations in clinician practices during management of the third stage of labor.

An exploration of how midwives and physicians manage the third stage of labor in the United States.

INTRODUCTION: Care of the woman during the third stage of labor is a critical component of good patient outcomes. The type and extent of activities used in the United States, including those suggested for active management of the third stage of labor, are unknown. This study obtained preliminary data for the development of a national study of interventions used by US birth attendants during the third stage of labor, work that will ultimately lead to a study examining links between activities and outcomes. The specific aims were to identify provider-reported assessments and interventions used during the third stage of labor and to examine which management steps or interventions providers believe should always be used during the third stage of labor. METHODS: Four provider-specific focus groups (certified nurse-midwives, certified professional midwives, obstetricians, and family practice physicians) were held using a nominal group technique. Two researchers analyzed audio-recorded transcriptions independently. RESULTS: More than 100 assessments, 110 interventions, and 65 "always used" activities were identified. There was variation within and across groups. Midwife groups were more likely to specify maternal preference activities, and physician groups were more likely to specify drug-related actions. DISCUSSION: Surveys of third-stage labor practices must include large numbers of actions to represent what may be the state of US practices. Survey design may need to include a multiple-forms approach to avoid participant burden. Designs should include the exploration of differences by provider type as well as within provider variation.