Better maternity care pathways in pregnancies after stillbirth or neonatal death: a feasibility study.

BACKGROUND: Around 1 in 150 babies are stillborn or die in the first month of life in the UK. Most women conceive again, and subsequent pregnancies are often characterised by feelings of stress and anxiety, persisting beyond the birth. Psychological distress increases the risk of poor pregnancy outcomes and longer-term parenting difficulties. Appropriate emotional support in subsequent pregnancies is key to ensure the wellbeing of women and families. Substantial variability in existing care has been reported, including fragmentation and poor communication. A new care package improving midwifery continuity and access to emotional support during subsequent pregnancy could improve outcomes. However, no study has assessed the feasibility of a full-scale trial to test effectiveness in improving outcomes and cost-effectiveness for the National Health Service (NHS). METHODS: A prospective, mixed-methods pre-and post-cohort study, in two Northwest England Maternity Units. Thirty-eight women, (≤ 20 weeks' gestation, with a previous stillbirth, or neonatal death) were offered the study intervention (allocation of a named midwife care coordinator and access to group and online support). Sixteen women receiving usual care were recruited in the 6 months preceding implementation of the intervention. Outcome data were collected at 2 antenatal and 1 postnatal visit(s). Qualitative interviews captured experiences of care and research processes with women (n = 20), partners (n = 5), and midwives (n = 8). RESULTS: Overall recruitment was 90% of target, and 77% of women completed the study. A diverse sample reflected the local population, but non-English speaking was a barrier to participation. Study processes and data collection methods were acceptable. Those who received increased midwifery continuity valued the relationship with the care coordinator and perceived positive impacts on pregnancy experiences. However, the anticipated increase in antenatal continuity for direct midwife contacts was not observed for the intervention group. Take-up of in-person support groups was also limited. CONCLUSIONS: Women and partners welcomed the opportunity to participate in research. Continuity of midwifery care was supported as a beneficial strategy to improve care and support in pregnancy after the death of a baby by both parents and professionals. Important barriers to implementation included changes in leadership, service pressures and competing priorities. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ISRCTN17447733 first registration 13/02/2018.

Factors influencing health behaviour change during pregnancy: a systematic review and meta-synthesis.

Pregnancy is an opportune time for women to make healthy changes to their lifestyle, however, many women struggle to do so. Multiple reasons have been posited as to why this may be. This review aimed to synthesise this literature by identifying factors that influence women's health behaviour during pregnancy, specifically in relation to dietary behaviour, physical activity, smoking, and alcohol use. Bibliographic databases (MEDLINE, PsycINFO, CINAHL-P, MIDIRS) were systematically searched to retrieve studies reporting qualitative data regarding women's experiences or perceptions of pregnancy-related behaviour change relating to the four key behaviours. Based on the eligibility criteria, 30,852 records were identified and 92 studies were included. Study quality was assessed using the CASP tool and data were thematically synthesised. Three overarching themes were generated from the data. These were (1) A time to think about 'me', (2) Adopting the 'good mother' role, and (3) Beyond mother and baby. These findings provide an improved understanding of the various internal and external factors influencing women's health behaviour during the antenatal period. This knowledge provides the foundations from which future pregnancy-specific theories of behaviour change can be developed and highlights the importance of taking a holistic approach to maternal behaviour change in clinical practice.

Associations between consumption of coffee and caffeinated soft drinks and late stillbirth-Findings from the Midland and North of England stillbirth case-control study.

OBJECTIVE: The consumption of caffeinated drinks and soft drinks is widespread in society, including by pregnant women. Data regarding the association of caffeine intake and stillbirth are varied. We aimed to investigate the degree of consumption of caffeinated drinks or soft drinks in the last four weeks of pregnancy in women who experienced a late stillbirth compared to women with ongoing live pregnancies at similar gestation. Influences on maternal caffeine intake and soft drink consumption during pregnancy were also investigated. STUDY DESIGN: A case-control study undertaken in 41 maternity units in the United Kingdom. Cases were women who had a singleton non-anomalous stillbirth ≥28 weeks' gestation (n = 290) and controls were women with an ongoing pregnancy at the time of interview (n = 729). Data were collected using an interviewer-administered questionnaire which included questions regarding consumption of a variety of caffeinated drinks and soft drinks in the last four weeks of pregnancy as well as other behaviours (e.g. cigarette smoking). RESULTS: Multivariable analysis adjusting for co-existing demographic and behavioural factors found the consumption of instant coffee, energy drinks and cola were associated with increased risk of stillbirth. There was an independent association between caffeine intake and late stillbirth (adjusted Odds Ratio 1.27, 95 % Confidence Interval (95 %CI) 1.14, 1.43 for each 100 mg increment/day). 15 % of cases and 8% of controls consumed more than the World Health Organisation (WHO) recommendation (>300 mg of caffeine/day; aOR 2.30, 95 % CI 1.40, 4.24). The population attributable risk for stillbirth associated with >300 mg of caffeine/day was 7.4 %. The majority of respondents reduced caffeine consumption in pregnancy. Midwives and internet resources were the most frequently used sources of information which influenced maternal behaviour with regard to soft drinks and caffeine, and this did not differ between cases and controls. CONCLUSIONS: Women should be informed that consumption of caffeine during pregnancy is associated with increased risk of stillbirth, particularly at levels greater than recommended by the WHO (>300 mg/day). Recommendations from midwives and internet-based resources are likely to be the most effective means to influence maternal behaviour.

'Just an extra pair of hands'? A qualitative study of obstetric service users' and professionals' views towards 24/7 consultant presence on a single UK tertiary maternity unit.

OBJECTIVES: To explore the views of maternity service users and professionals towards obstetric consultant presence 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. DESIGN: Semistructured interviews conducted face to face with maternity service users and professionals in March and April 2016. All responses were analysed together (ie, both service users' and professionals' responses) using an inductive thematic analysis. SETTING: A large tertiary maternity unit in the North West of England that has implemented 24/7 obstetric consultant presence. PARTICIPANTS: Antenatal and postnatal inpatient service users (n=10), midwives, obstetrics and gynaecology specialty trainees and consultant obstetricians (n=10). RESULTS: Five themes were developed: (1) 'Just an extra pair of hands?' (the consultant's role), (2) the context, (3) the team, (4) training and (5) change for the consultant. Respondents acknowledged that obstetrics is an acute specialty, and consultants resolve intrapartum complications. However, variability in consultant experience and behaviour altered perception of its impact. Service users were generally positive towards 24/7 consultant presence but were not aware that it was not standard practice across the UK. Professionals were more pragmatic and discussed how the implementation of 24/7 working had affected their work, development of trainees and potential impacts on future consultants. CONCLUSIONS: The findings raised several issues that should be considered by practitioners and policymakers when making decisions about the implementation of 24/7 consultant presence in other maternity units, including attributes of the consultants, the needs of maternity units, the team hierarchy, trainee development, consultants' other duties and consultant absences.

Post-mortem examination after stillbirth: views of UK-based practitioners.

OBJECTIVES: Worldwide, around four million stillbirths occur annually. The UK was recently ranked as 33rd out of 35 developed nations for stillbirth rates. The reasons for many stillbirths remain unexplained. Post-mortem examination (PME) can provide information for grieving families, and for future pregnancies. Rates of consent for PME are decreasing in the UK. The views of professionals may influence their approach to bereaved families, and, therefore, rates of consent. Arguably, obtaining qualitative insights into emotive areas such as PME from large numbers of practitioners is increasingly possible as electronic surveys become more sophisticated. Therefore we aimed to describe, using electronic media, the views of UK obstetricians, midwives and perinatal pathologists about PME for stillbirth. STUDY DESIGN: 10,000 UK midwives, 1136 UK obstetricians and all 40 UK perinatal pathologists received a link to an Internet survey via their professional organizations. A box was included for free-text responses. Iterative thematic analysis generated five themes and a 'line of argument' synthesis. RESULTS: 683 midwives, 98 obstetricians, and 11 perinatal pathologists provided open comments, generating five themes and the following line of argument: both professional views and family decision-making about postmortem after stillbirth are affected by the education and training of staff, local resources, and the quality of information available. All of these structural issues are interpreted by individual staff, women and families through personal beliefs and emotions, and professional and social discourses. CONCLUSIONS: Internet-based surveys can generate valuable qualitative data. Effective decision-making for post-mortem after stillbirth may be improved by the introduction of user-friendly information and consent procedures, and staff training that takes account of existing innovations, and of the emotions and prior experiences of both staff and parents.

Midwives' and obstetricians' knowledge and management of women presenting with decreased fetal movements.

BACKGROUND: Maternal perception of decreased fetal movements (DFM) affects 5-15% of pregnancies. DFM is associated with intra-uterine fetal death (IUFD) and intra-uterine growth restriction (IUGR). It has been proposed that maternal perception of DFM may be used as a screening tool for IUFD or IUGR. However, this proposal is complicated by variations in definitions and management of DFM. HYPOTHESIS: We hypothesised that uncertainties in the definition and management of women presenting with DFM leads to variation in clinical practice. METHODS: A postal questionnaire was sent to midwives and consultant obstetricians in the UK. RESULTS: The majority of respondents enquired about the presence of fetal movements after 28 weeks gestation. There was little agreement on a definition of DFM, with a maternal perception of decreased movements for 24 h gaining the greatest acceptance. Few practitioners used formal fetal movement counting, with the majority of respondents stating they were ineffective in the prevention of IUGR or IUFD and led to increased intervention. There was large variation in the knowledge of associations with DFM and management of women presenting with DFM. CONCLUSIONS: There were wide variations in the practice of obstetricians and midwives with regard to women presenting with DFM; many aspects of practice were not based on the available evidence. The variation in practice may result from a lack of robust evidence on which to base the provision of care. Further research is needed to provide and disseminate evidence to direct the management of women presenting with DFM.

Acupressure for the in-patient treatment of nausea and vomiting in early pregnancy: a randomized control trial.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of acupressure at the P6 point for the in-patient treatment of severe nausea and vomiting in early pregnancy. STUDY DESIGN: This was a prospective single-blind randomized control trial that involved 80 patients with nausea and vomiting plus ketonuria before 14 weeks of gestation. RESULTS: There was no difference between length of stay, amount of medication, or fluid required between the acupressure and placebo groups, although acupressure reduced the number of patients who stayed > or =4 nights in the hospital. Acupressure was well tolerated and not associated with an increase in perinatal morbidity or death. CONCLUSION: The use of acupressure at the P6 point does not reduce the amount of antiemetic medication that is required, the requirement for intravenous fluid, and median duration of in-patient stay more than the use of placebo. A small reduction was seen in the number of women who required > or =4 days in the hospital.

The use of levomepromazine in Hyperemesis Gravidarum resistant to drug therapy--a case series.

Hyperemesis Gravidarum (HG) is a potentially serious complication of early pregnancy, which may rarely be severe enough to warrant termination of pregnancy. HG requires prompt treatment with intravenous fluids, thiamine supplementation and appropriate anti-emetic therapy. Anti-histamines such as promethazine are favoured as first-line agents, with prochlorperazine being used as a second-line drug. However, there is no clear data as to the most appropriate drug if these are ineffective. A case series of six women who presented with HG resistant to drug treatment is described. In these cases, levomepromazine 6.25mg tds was used to control HG. Five pregnancies progressed leading to live born infants with no evidence of congenital anomaly. One pregnancy resulted in an intra-uterine death with no external or ultrasound evidence of congenital anomaly. The role of phenothiazines in the pharmacological management of HG is discussed.