Midwives' approach to the prevention and repair of obstetric perineal trauma in Spain.

AIM: Different clinical practice guidelines include recommendations on how to prevent and repair obstetric perineal trauma, as well as the use of episiotomy. To evaluate the variability in midwives' professional practices for preventing and repairing perineal trauma, as well as the professional factors that may be associated with the restrictive use of episiotomy. DESIGN: Observational cross-sectional study. METHODS: Three hundred five midwives completed an anonymous questionnaire developed by the authors and distributed across various midwifery scientific societies. The main outcomes measured were the frequencies of adopting specific practices related to perineal injury prevention and repair, episiotomy technique and restrictive episiotomy use (<10%). Odds ratios (OR) and adjusted odds ratios (aOR) with 95% confidence intervals were estimated. RESULTS: Intrapartum perineal massage was not normally used by 253 (83%) of midwives, and 186 (61%) applied compresses soaked in warm water to the perineum. Regarding episiotomy, there was a great deal of variability, noting that 129 (42.3%) adopted a restrictive use of this procedure, 125 (41%) performed it between 10% and 20%, while 51 midwives (16.7%) performed it in more than 20% of cases. In addition, 165 (54.1%) midwives followed an incision angle of 60º. Concerning tears, 155 (50.8%) usually sutured first-degree tears and 273 (89.5%) always sutured second-degree tears. Midwives attending home births (aOR = 6.5; 95% CI: 2.69-15.69), working at a teaching hospital (aOR = 3.69; 95% CI: 1.39-9.84), and the ones who recently completed their professional training (aOR = 3.58; 95% CI: 1.46-8.79) were significantly more likely to adopt a restrictive use of episiotomy. CONCLUSIONS: There is a significant variability in Spanish midwives' practices for preventing and repairing perineal tears. Moreover, the restrictive use of episiotomy is associated with midwives attending home births, working in teaching hospitals and having recent professional training. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: No patient or public contribution.

Obstetric Violence from a Midwife Perspective.

This study examines and determines the prevalence of obstetric violence (OV) as perceived by midwives, as well as their knowledge of it and the professional factors that could be associated with the perception of OV. A cross-sectional study was conducted of 325 midwives in 2021 in Spain. Almost all (92.6%, 301) the midwives knew the term OV, but 74.8% (214) did not believe OV to be the same as malpractice. Moreover, 56.9% (185) stated they had rarely observed OV, and 26.5% (86) regularly observed OV. Most midwives consider physical aggression to be OV, in comparison, not providing information to women was only considered unacceptable treatment. The clinical practice considered the most grave within the context of OV was an instrumental birth or cesarean section without clinical justification. In addition, 97.5% (317) believed that raising awareness on the subject is one of the fundamental points to reducing this problem. Certain factors, such as less work experience, female gender, attendance at home births, and previous training in OV, were associated with an increased perception of situations as OV (p < 0.005). A high percentage of midwives perceived specific clinical practices (e.g., indicate cesarean section without clinical justification or perform the Kristeller maneuver) as OV, and certain characteristics of the professional profile, such as the professional experience or the sex of the midwife, were associated with an increased perception of OV. Most midwives knew the term OV but did not consider that it could pertain to some behaviors included in the international definitions of OV, such as the lack of information provided to a woman or the non-identification of the midwife, among others.

Caffeine Intake throughout Pregnancy, and Factors Associated with Non-Compliance with Recommendations: A Cohort Study.

Maternal caffeine consumption is associated with adverse gestational outcomes. The aim of this study was to assess the intake of caffeine and factors associated with the non-adherence to caffeine intake recommendations in a cohort of 463 women before (T0) and in each trimester of gestation (T1, T2, and T3), by using validated questionnaires. Caffeine intake (median (mg/day), IQR) was 100.0 (181.1) at T0, 9.42 (66.2) at T1, 12.5 (65.6) at T2, and 14.0 (61.1) at T3 (p < 0.001). Non-compliance prevalence (intake > 200 mg/day) was 6.2% at T1, 4.2% at T2, and 2.7% at T3. Not being an active smoker at T1 (OR = 0.17; 95% CI 0.05−0.59) and T2 (OR = 0.22; 95% CI 0.09−0.52), adherence to the Mediterranean Diet at T1 (OR = 0.50; 95% CI 0.28−0.88) and T2 (OR = 0.39; 95% CI 0.15−1.02), and moderate physical activity at T1 (OR = 0.50; 95% CI 0.28−0.88) were inversely associated with caffeine consumption. Although caffeine intake may be considered low, intake prevalence increases throughout pregnancy. Although the main source of caffeine during pregnancy is coffee, attention must be also paid to the increasingly intake of chocolate, of which the effect during pregnancy is controversial. Smoking, non-adherence to a good quality diet, and light physical activity are associated with a higher caffeine intake and a lower compliance with caffeine intake recommendations. Perinatal dietary and lifestyle educational policies are needed.

Obstetric factors associated with postpartum post-traumatic stress disorder after spontaneous vaginal birth.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to determine whether there is an association between clinical practices carried out during spontaneous vaginal birth (SVB), or clinical situations that arise during vaginal birth, and the incidence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). METHODS: A cross-sectional study with 839 puerperal women in Spain was conducted. The Perinatal Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Questionnaire (PPQ) was administered online. The relationship between the risk of postpartum PTSD and various intrapartum complications was studied in addition to practices or procedures performed during the intrapartum period. RESULTS: PTSD (PPQ scores ≥19) was identified in 8.1% (68) of the women who participated. Among the risk factors for PTSD was a concerning intrapartum FHR tracing (adjusted OR: 2.24, 95% CI: 1.07-4.66). Other intrapartum practices also put women at risk of PTSD, including the administration of an enema (aOR: 7.01, 95% CI: 2.14-23.01), being required to stay lying down throughout the labor and birth (aOR: 5.75, 95% CI: 3.25-10.19), artificial amniorrhexis without consent (aOR: 2.28, 95% CI: 1.31-3.97), administration of synthetic oxytocin without consent (aOR: 2.18, 95% CI: 1.26-3.77), fundal pressure during pushing (aOR: 3.14, 95% CI: 1.72-5.73), repeated vaginal examinations performed by different people (aOR: 4.84, 95% CI: 2.77-8.47), and manual removal of the placenta without anesthesia (aOR: 3.45, 95% CI: 1.81-6.58). CONCLUSIONS: Various intrapartum clinical practices, all related to dehumanized treatment, and intrapartum complications, were associated with an increased risk of PTSD. There is a need to eradicate obstetric mistreatment and to increase access to evidence-informed, respectful care in Spain. Care practitioners need to better appreciate their roles in preventing PTSD.

Maternal iron intake during pregnancy and the risk of small for gestational age.

Studies of iron and its association with the risk of small for gestational age (SGA) show inconsistent results. Consuming iron supplements during pregnancy is controversial because of possible risks. This study assessed the association between iron intake and the risk of having an SGA newborn and whether iron intake is associated with gestational diabetes. A case-control study of 518 pairs of Spanish women who were pregnant and attending five hospitals was conducted. Groups were matched 1:1 for age (±2 years) and hospital. Cases were women with an SGA newborn at delivery. Controls were women with normal-sized newborns at delivery. Data were gathered on demographic characteristics, socio-economic status, adverse habits (like smoking), and diet. A 137-item food frequency questionnaire was completed. Iron intakes were categorized in quintiles (Q1-Q5). Crude odds ratios (ORs) and adjusted ORs (aORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated by conditional logistic regression. No significant relationship was found between dietary iron intake and SGA. A protective association was found for women receiving iron supplementation >40 mg/day and SGA versus women not taking supplements (aOR = 0.64, 95% CI [0.42, 0.99]). This association was identified in mothers both with (aOR = 0.57, 95% CI [0.40, 0.81]) and without (aOR = 0.64, 95% CI [0.64, 0.97]) anaemia. In women in the control group without anaemia, iron supplementation >40 mg/day was positively associated with gestational diabetes (aOR = 6.32, 95% CI [1.97, 20.23]). Iron supplementation in pregnancy may prevent SGA independently of existing anaemia but may also increase the risk of gestational diabetes.

Maternal dietary consumption of legumes, vegetables and fruit during pregnancy, does it protect against small for gestational age?

BACKGROUND: Different diets during pregnancy might have an impact on the health, reflected in the birthweight of newborns. The consumption of fruits and vegetables during pregnancy and the relationship with newborn health status have been studied by several authors. However, these studies have shown inconsistent results. PURPOSE: We assessed whether certain foods were related to the risk of small for gestational age (SGA). METHODS: A matched by age (± 2 years) and hospital 1:1 case-control study of 518 pairs of pregnant Spanish women in five hospitals was conducted. The cases were women with an SGA newborn at delivery (neonates weighting less than the 10th percentile, adjusted for gestational age at delivery and sex, were diagnosed as SGA). The control group comprised women giving birth to babies adequate for gestational age (AGA). Mothers who gave birth to babies large for gestational age (LGA) were excluded. Data were gathered concerning demographic characteristics, socioeconomic status, toxic habits and diet. A food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) comprising 137 items was completed by all participants. The intake of vegetables, legumes and fruits was categorized in quintiles (Q1-Q5). Crude values and and adjusted odds ratios (AORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using conditional logistic regression. The variables for adjustment were as follows: preeclampsia, education, smoking, weight gain per week during pregnancy, fish intake and previous preterm/low birthweight newborns. RESULTS: Total pulse intake showed an inverse association with the risk of SGA (trend p = 0.02). Women with an intake of fruits above 420 g/day (Q5), compared with women in Q1 (≤ 121 g/day) showed a decreased risk of SGA (AOR = 0.63, 95% CI = 0.40-0.98). The total consumption of vegetables was not associated with the risk of SGA. The intake of selenium was assessed: a protective association was observed for Q3-5; a daily intake above 60 µg was associated with a lower risk of SGA (AOR = 0.39, 95% CI: 0.22-0.69). CONCLUSIONS: Fruits, pulses and selenium reduce the risk of SGA in Spanish women.

[Olive Oil and Body Weight. Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials]. / Aceite de oliva y peso corporal. Revisión sistemática y metaanálisis de ensayos controlados aleatorizados.

BACKGROUND: Olive oil, as fundamental fat in the Mediterranean diet, has contributed to a decrease in obesity in several epidemiological studies. It is unknown whether olive oil itself can decrease the weight independently of the diet used. The objective of this work was to determine the efficacy of olive oil in reducing weight. METHODS: Systematic review of meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of at least 12 weeks of intervention on adults without previous cardiovascular events to estimate the effect of an olive-enriched diet on weight, waist and body mass index. The search was performed in PubMed, Embase, Cochrane plus, Web of Science, Ovid, Scopus, Virtual Health Library (BVS), Theses and Dissertations Online (TDX) until December 2016. No language, gender or underlying pathology was restricted. We used Stata14 SE for data synthesis. RESULTS: 490 studies were identified, of which only 11 studies met the inclusion criteria. A diet enriched in olive oil reduced weight more than control diet: -0.92 kg, 95% CI (-1.16, -0.67), p heterogeneity = 0.1; decreased waist circumference in -0.60 cm, 95% CI (-1.17, -0.04), p heterogeneity = 0.6; and diminished BMI in -0.90, 95% CI (-0.91, -0.88), p heterogeneity < 0.001. The benefits were seen when olive oil was supplemented in its natural state and not when capsules were given. CONCLUSIONS: A diet enriched with olive oil can be an important weight control strategy in people without previous cardiovascular events.

OBJETIVO: El aceite de oliva, grasa fundamental de la dieta mediterránea, ha contribuido a un descenso de la obesidad en diversos estudios epidemiológicos. Se desconoce si por sí mismo puede disminuir el peso con independencia de la dieta utilizada. El objetivo de este trabajo fue determinar la eficacia del aceite de oliva en la reducción ponderal. METODOS: Revisión sistemática con metaanálisis de ensayos controlados aleatorizados (ECA) de al menos 12 semanas de intervención sobre adultos sin eventos cardiovasculares previos, para estimar el efecto de una dieta enriquecida con aceite de oliva sobre el peso, cintura e índice de masa corporal. La búsqueda se realizó en PubMed, Embase, Cochrane plus, Web of Science, Ovid, Scopus, Biblioteca Virtual en Salud (BVS), Tesis Doctorales en Red (TDR), hasta diciembre de 2016. No se restringió idioma, sexo ni patología de base. Utilizamos Stata14 SE para la síntesis de datos. RESULTADOS: Se identificaron 490 estudios, de ellos sólo 11 estudios cumplieron los criterios de inclusión. Una dieta enriquecida con aceite de oliva redujo más el peso que una dieta control -0,92 kg, IC 95% (-1,16,-0,67), p heterogeneidad =0,1; disminuyó la cintura en -0,60 cm, IC 95% (-1,17,-0,04), p heterogeneidad = 0,6; y descendió el IMC en -0,90, IC 95% (-0,91, -0,88), p heterogeneidad < 0,001. El efecto favorable fue cuando el aceite se suplementó de forma líquida y no con cápsulas. CONCLUSIONES: Una dieta enriquecida con aceite de oliva puede ser una importante estrategia de control ponderal en personas sin eventos cardiovasculares previos.

Association between Vitamin Intake during Pregnancy and Risk of Small for Gestational Age.

Pregnancy increases the requirements of certain nutrients, such as vitamins, to provide nutrition for the newborn. The aim was to analyze the association between dietary intake of vitamins during pregnancy and risk of having a small for gestational age (SGA) newborn. A matched case-control study was conducted (518 cases and 518 controls of pregnant women) in Spain. Dietary vitamin intake during pregnancy was assessed using a validated food frequency questionnaire, categorized into quintiles. Odds ratios (ORs) and their 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated with conditional regression logistic models. A protective association was observed between maternal dietary intake of vitamins A and D and SGA. For vitamin B3 and B6, the observed protective effect was maintained after adjusting for potential confounding factors. For vitamin B9, we found only an effect in quintiles 3 and 4 (OR = 0.64; 95% CI, 0.41-1.00; OR = 0.58; 95% CI, 0.37-0.91). Protective effect for vitamin B12 was observed in 4th and 5th quintiles (OR = 0.61; 95% CI, 0.39-0.95; OR = 0.68; 95% CI, 0.43-1.04). No associations were detected between dietary intake of vitamins B2, E and C intake and SGA. Our results suggest a positive association between dietary vitamin intake during pregnancy and the weight of the newborn, although more studies are necessary and there could be a ceiling effect for higher intakes of some vitamins cannot be discarded.

Calidad del control del embarazo en Atención Primaria / Quality control of pregnancy in Primary Care

En Andalucía, la asistencia prenatal es prestada por enfermeras, matronas y médicos de familia de acuerdo a las pautas recogidas en el proceso asistencial integrado de embarazo, parto y puerperio de la Junta de Andalucía. Objetivos: determinar el estado del control del embarazo de bajo riesgo que se realiza en Atención Primaria, así como conocer la satisfacción de la usuaria y su valoración de los profesionales implicados. Método: se realizó un estudio observacional descriptivo durante el tercer trimestre del año 2010 en el área sanitaria del Complejo Hospitalario de Jaén con mujeres embarazadas de bajo riesgo que habían sido controladas en Atención Primaria. Se recogió información relativa a los datos demográficos, componentes de calidad de la atención prenatal (según los criterios establecidos por la Junta de Andalucía), satisfacción de la mujer, profesional mejor valorado y grado de cumplimentación del documento de salud de la embarazada. Resultados: la muestra estuvo compuesta por 117 mujeres, la media de edad fue de 29,38 ±5,015 (18-37) años. Asistieron a tres o más sesiones de educación maternal el 51,28% de las embarazadas; de los 24 componentes de la atención prenatal, 19 se habían cumplido en más del 80% de las mujeres atendidas. El 51,28% de las mujeres estaban bastante satisfechas con la atención prenatal recibida. Para el 74,36% de la muestra, el profesional implicado en la atención prenatal mejor valorado es la matrona. Conclusión: el control del embarazo es adecuado, aunque aspectos como la educación maternal deberían ser fomentados por los profesionales. La usuaria está satisfecha con el actual sistema de control y valora positivamente a los profesionales que lo desarrollan, especialmente a la matrona (AU)

In Andalusia, antenatal care is provided by nurses, midwives and family physicians according to the guidelines contained in the integrated care process of pregnancy, childbirth of the Junta de Andalucía (Andalusian local government). Objectives: To determine the monitoring status of low-risk pregnancy performed in primary care and to determine user satisfaction and her assessment of the professionals involved in her care. Method: A descriptive observational study was conducted during the third quarter of 2010 in the Hospital of Jaén health area on low-risk pregnant women who had been monitored in primary care. Information was collected on demographics, quality components of prenatal care (according to criteria established by the Junta de Andalucía), women satisfaction, best valued professional, and level of completion of the document on the health of pregnant woman. Results: The sample consisted of 117 women; mean age was 29.38 ±5,015 (18-37) years. Of these, 51.28% of pregnant women attended three or more sessions on maternal education; of the 24 components of prenatal care, 19 had been met in more than 80% of the women treated. The 51.28% of the women were quite satisfied with the prenatal care received. For 74.36% of the sample, the most valued professional involved in antenatal car e is the midwife. Conclusion: Pregnancy care is adequate, although issues such as maternal education should be encouraged by professionals. The user is satisfied with the current care system and values positively the professionals who deliver the care, especially the midwife (AU)

Parto por vía vaginal en presentación de nalgas / Childbirth via the vagina birth canal. Breech presentation through the cervix uteri

Actualmente, en nuestro país, ante una presentación de nalgas la mayoría de los hospitales realiza una cesárea electiva. La SEGO (Sociedad Española de Ginecología y Obstetricia) no indica un protocolo de actuación estricto de cesárea en estos casos. Se realiza un estudio transversal para comprobar el estado de salud de la madre y el recién nacido en partos vaginales con presentación de nalgas, midiendo diferentes parámetros. Nuestros resultados indican que, en consenso con la madre y en los casos que se indiquen, se podría intentar parto vía vaginal de presentación de nalgas(AU)

At the present time in our country, when faced with a breech presentation through the cervix uteri, the majority of hospitals carry out an elective Cesarean section. The Spanish Association of Gynecology and Obstetrics does not indicate a strict operating protocol for these cases. The authors carry out a transversal study to test a mother’s and her child’s state of health after having undergone birth through the vagina birth canal when a breech presentation through the cervix uteri occurred, using various parameters for their analysis. Our results indicate that with the mother’s consent and in the situations indicated, to have birth via the vagina birth canal when there is a breech presentation through the cervix uteri can be traed(AU)