Defining and describing birth centres in the Netherlands - a component study of the Dutch Birth Centre Study.

BACKGROUND: During the last decade, a rapid increase of birth locations for low-risk births, other than conventional obstetric units, has been seen in the Netherlands. Internationally some of such locations are called birth centres. The varying international definitions for birth centres are not directly applicable for use within the Dutch obstetric system. A standard definition for a birth centre in the Netherlands is lacking. This study aimed to develop a definition of birth centres for use in the Netherlands, to identify these centres and to describe their characteristics. METHODS: International definitions of birth centres were analysed to find common descriptions. In July 2013 the Dutch Birth Centre Questionnaire was sent to 46 selected Dutch birth locations that might qualify as birth centre. Questions included: location, reason for establishment, women served, philosophies, facilities that support physiological birth, hotel-facilities, management, environment and transfer procedures in case of referral. Birth centres were visited to confirm the findings from the Dutch Birth Centre Questionnaire and to measure distance and time in case of referral to obstetric care. RESULTS: From all 46 birth locations the questionnaires were received. Based on this information a Dutch definition of a birth centre was constructed. This definition reads: "Birth centres are midwifery-managed locations that offer care to low risk women during labour and birth. They have a homelike environment and provide facilities to support physiological birth. Community midwives take primary professional responsibility for care. In case of referral the obstetric caregiver takes over the professional responsibility of care." Of the 46 selected birth locations 23 fulfilled this definition. Three types of birth centres were distinguished based on their location in relation to the nearest obstetric unit: freestanding (n = 3), alongside (n = 14) and on-site (n = 6). Transfer in case of referral was necessary for all freestanding and alongside birth centres. Birth centres varied in their reason for establishment and their characteristics. CONCLUSIONS: Twenty-three Dutch birth centres were identified and divided into three different types based on location according to the situation in September 2013. Birth centres differed in their reason for establishment, facilities, philosophies, staffing and service delivery.

Reproductive outcomes of women and men born very preterm and/or with a very low birth weight in 1983: a longitudinal cohort study in the Netherlands.

UNLABELLED: The aims of this study were to analyze reproductive outcomes of women and men born very preterm (gestational age <32 weeks) or with a very low birth weight (<1500 g) in 1983 in the Netherlands and to compare their reproductive outcomes with the total population at a similar age of 28 years. Young adults who were born after a pregnancy complicated by very preterm (VP) delivery or with a very low birth weight (VLBW) in the Netherlands in 1983 (Project on Preterm and Small for Gestational Age Infants (POPS) cohort) were invited to complete an online questionnaire at the age of 28. In total, 293 POPS-28 participants (31.6%) completed the questionnaire including 185 female and 108 male participants. Female and male participants who were born VP or with a VLBW had significant reduced reproductive rates compared to the total Dutch population at 28 years of age (female 23.2 vs 31.9% and male 7.4 vs 22.2%). Pregnancies of the female participants were in 14% complicated by preterm delivery in at least one pregnancy. CONCLUSION: This study indicates that women and men born VP or with a VLBW have reduced reproductive rates at the age of 28 compared to the total Dutch population at a similar age.

Prenatal famine, birthweight, reproductive performance and age at menopause: the Dutch hunger winter families study.

STUDY QUESTION: Is there an association between acute prenatal famine exposure or birthweight and subsequent reproductive performance and age at menopause? SUMMARY ANSWER: No association was found between intrauterine famine exposure and reproductive performance, but survival analysis showed that women exposed in utero were 24% more likely to experience menopause at any age. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY: Associations between prenatal famine and subsequent reproductive performance have been examined previously with inconsistent results. Evidence for the effects of famine exposure on age at natural menopause is limited to one study of post-natal exposure. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION: This cohort study included men and women born around the time of the Dutch famine of 1944-1945. The study participants (n = 1070) underwent standardized interviews on reproductive parameters at a mean age of 59 years. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS: The participants were grouped as men and women with prenatal famine exposure (n = 407), their same-sex siblings (family controls, n = 319) or other men and women born before or after the famine period (time controls, n = 344). Associations of famine exposure with reproductive performance and menopause were analysed using logistic regression and survival analysis with competing risk, after controlling for family clustering. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE: Gestational famine exposure was not associated with nulliparity, age at birth of first child, difficulties conceiving or pregnancy outcome (all P> 0.05) in men or women. At any given age, women were more likely to experience menopause after gestational exposure to famine (hazard ratio 1.24; 95% CI 1.03, 1.51). The association was not attenuated with an additional control for a woman's birthweight. In this study, there was no association between birthweight and age at menopause after adjustment for gestational famine exposure. LIMITATIONS, REASON FOR CAUTION: Age at menopause was self-reported and assessed retrospectively. The study power to examine associations with specific gestational periods of famine exposure and reproductive function was limited. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS: Our findings support previous results that prenatal famine exposure is not related to reproductive performance in adult life. However, natural menopause occurs earlier after prenatal famine exposure, suggesting that early life events can affect organ function even at the ovarian level. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S): This study was funded by the NHLBI/NIH (R01 HL-067914). TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: Not applicable.

Women's motives for not participating in preconception counseling: qualitative study.

AIMS: Information about risk factors and preventive measures given before conception is estimated to prevent 15-35% of adverse pregnancy outcomes. We aimed to identify women's motives for not responding to an invitation for preconception counseling (PCC) from their general practitioner. METHODS: A purposive sample of 11 women who did not respond to an invitation for PCC and who became pregnant within 1 year was interviewed. RESULTS: Three key themes influencing nonresponse emerged from the data: perceived knowledge, perceived lack of risk and a misunderstanding of the aim of PCC. CONCLUSION: For successful future implementation of PCC, a more tailored approach may be necessary for certain (groups of) women, addressing the reasons why women do not consider themselves part of the target group for PCC.

[Ethnic differences in preference for home delivery and in pregnancy care received by pregnant women]. / Etnische verschillen in de voorkeur voor thuisbevallingen en het zorgtraject dat zwangeren doorlopen.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate differences among pregnant women from various ethnic groups in terms of pregnancy care and the place of delivery. DESIGN: Descriptive, retrospective study. METHOD: Data from the Dutch Perinatal Registries during the period 1995-2002, representing a total of 1,401,892 pregnancies, were linked and analysed for perinatal care, the place of the delivery and the ethnic group of the mother. The ethnic categories defined in the registries were: Dutch, Mediterranean, other European, African, Hindu, Asian and unknown. RESULTS: Other European women and Asian women often started pregnancy care with a midwife and were not often referred to secondary care with an obstetrician. These two groups most often completed the delivery under the care of a midwife (45.3% of other European women and 44.6% of Asian women). As Hindu and African women often started pregnancy care directly with an obstetrician due to medical reasons and were often referred to secondary care during pregnancy or birth, these two groups were least likely to complete their births under the primary care of a midwife (33.1% and 28.0%, respectively). 39% of the Dutch women completed delivery with a midwife. Of those women who started the delivery under the care of a midwife, 3 out of 4 Dutch women, 1 out of 3 Mediterranean women and only 1 out of 5 Hindu women ultimately elected for a home birth. CONCLUSION: Large ethnic differences exist in both pregnancy care and preference for place of delivery and, ultimately, place of birth. This should be taken into account in policy-making and in the provision of information regarding the Dutch midwifery system.

GP-initiated preconception counselling in a randomised controlled trial does not induce anxiety.

BACKGROUND: Preconception counselling (PCC) can reduce adverse pregnancy outcome by addressing risk factors prior to pregnancy. This study explores whether anxiety is induced in women either by the offer of PCC or by participation with GP-initiated PCC. METHODS: Randomised trial of usual care versus GP-initiated PCC for women aged 18-40, in 54 GP practices in the Netherlands. Women completed the six-item Spielberger State Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) before PCC (STAI-1) and after (STAI-2). After pregnancy women completed a STAI focusing on the first trimester of pregnancy (STAI-3). RESULTS: The mean STAI-1-score (n = 466) was 36.4 (95% CI 35.4-37.3). Following PCC there was an average decrease of 3.6 points in anxiety-levels (95% CI, 2.4-4.8). Mean scores of the STAI-3 were 38.5 (95% CI 37.7-39.3) in the control group (n = 1090) and 38.7 (95% CI 37.9-39.5) in the intervention group (n = 1186). CONCLUSION: PCC from one's own GP reduced anxiety after participation, without leading to an increase in anxiety among the intervention group during pregnancy. We therefore conclude that GPs can offer PCC to the general population without fear of causing anxiety.

Profiling the preterm or VLBW born adolescent; implications of the Dutch POPS cohort follow-up studies.

In 1983, data of a unique nationwide cohort of 1338 very preterm (<32 weeks of gestation) or VLBW (birth weight<1500g) infants in the Netherlands was collected and followed at several ages until they reached the age of 19 years. At 19 years of age a more extensive follow-up study was done, including questionnaires, tests on a computer and a full physical exam. These studies provide insight into how Dutch adolescents at 19 years of age, who were born very preterm or with a very low birth weight (VLBW), reach adulthood. At 19 years, 705 POPS participants participated (74% of 959 still alive). Outcome measures at 19 years included: physical outcomes (e.g. blood pressure), cognition, behavior, quality of life, and impact of handicaps. The POPS participants showed more impairments on most outcome measures at various ages, compared to norm data. Major handicaps remained stable as the children grew older, but minor handicaps and disabilities increased. At 19 years of age, only half (47.1%) of the survivors had no disabilities and no minor or major handicaps. Especially those born small for gestational age (SGA) seem most vulnerable. These long-term results help to support preterm and SGA born children and adolescents in reaching independent adulthood, and stress the need for long term follow-up studies and to promote prevention of disabilities and of preterm birth itself.

[Folic acid use for women desiring offspring: the family physician's response]. / Foliumzuurgebruik bij zwangerschapswens: de reactie van de huisarts.

OBJECTIVE: To establish to what extent general practitioners (GP's) are familiar with the folic acid campaign of the Netherlands Bureau for Food and Nutrition Education, display a positive attitude regarding use of folic acid tablets by women who would like to become pregnant and factually provide information on folic acid. DESIGN: Cross-sectional, descriptive. SETTING: Regions: Central Brabant, Achterhoek, Randstad and Northern Netherlands. METHOD: In 1996 a printed questionnaire was sent to 300 GP's selected at random. It contained questions about knowledge, attitude and management regarding the use of folic acid by women who would like to become pregnant and with a normal risk to have a child with a neural tube defect. RESULTS: The response was high (81%). Most GP's were familiar with the national campaign on folic acid (87%), but 18% considered themselves insufficiently informed about the education campaign and/or the folic acid recommendations. Half the GP's considered use of folic acid tablets by women who would like to become pregnant as important, while two-thirds were of the opinion that it contributed to medicalization of the pregnancy. Most GP's (82%) thought that pregnant women who had not used folic acid tablets might develop feelings of guilt. Nevertheless, 64% recommended use of folic acid tablets and 63% were willing to write a prescription if the woman asked for it. Seventy-five per cent of the GP's reported that they themselves suggested use of folic acid tablets to women who they assumed would like to become pregnant, although most stated they sometimes forgot (58%). The percentages of GP's who sometimes or always suggested folic acid tablets during a contraception advice after delivery or who advised women who would like to become pregnant to switch to a diet rich in folic acid, were much smaller (29 and 37%, respectively). CONCLUSION: Although a large number of the GP's mentioned potential problems, the majority actively cooperated in promoting use of folic acid by women who would like to become pregnant.

[Prevalence of neural tube defects in births before and after promotion of periconceptional folic acid supplementation]. / Geboorteprevalentie van neuralebuisdefecten voor en na campagne voor periconceptioneel foliumzuurgebruik.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the incidence and the expected clinical picture of neural tube defects (NTD) in years when periconceptional folic acid use increased. DESIGN: Descriptive. METHOD: Data on the prevalence of NTD in the Netherlands in 1994-1998 and on the prognosis at the time of the report obtained from the Nederlands Signalerings Centrum Kindergeneeskunde (Netherlands Paediatric Spotting Centre), where all practising physicians in the Netherlands monthly report children in whom a rare disease has been diagnosed. Prevalence figures from before and after 1996 were compared, because periconceptional use of folic acid increased since late 1996. RESULTS: In 1994-1998, 414 children with NTD were reported, 164 boys, 191 girls and 59 unreported. The prevalence of NTD was 4.6 per 10,000 live births (95% confidence interval (CI): 3.7-5.6) compared with 3.8 per 10,000 live births (95% CI: 2.9-4.6) in the period 1997-1998. Of the 414 children, 257 had a meningomyelocele; the early mortality in this group amounted to 37%. Hydrocephalus was found in 84.8% of the infants, 40.9% of the infants were believed never be able to sit, stand, and walk. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of NTD was lower in the period 1997-1998 than in the period 1994-1996 although the difference was not statistically significant.

Long-term results of Dutch Childhood Oncology Group studies for children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia from 1984 to 2004.

The Dutch Childhood Oncology Group (DCOG) has used two treatment strategies for children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) based on Pinkel's St Jude Total Therapy or the Berlin-Frankfurt-Münster (BFM) backbone. In four successive protocols, 1734 children were treated. Studies ALL-6 and ALL-9 followed the Total Therapy approach; cranial irradiation was replaced by medium-dose methotrexate infusions and prolonged triple intrathecal therapy; dexamethasone was used instead of prednisone. Studies ALL-7 and ALL-8 had a BFM backbone, including more intensive remission induction, early reinduction and maintenance therapy without vincristine and prednisone pulses. The 5-year event-free survival and overall survival increased from 65.4 to 80.6% (P<0.001) and from 78.7 to 86.4% (P=0.07) in ALL-7 and ALL-9, respectively. In ALL-7 and ALL-8 National Cancer Institute (NCI) high-risk criteria, male gender, T-lineage ALL and high white blood cells (WBCs) predict poor outcome. In ALL-9 NCI criteria, gender, WBC >100 x 109/l, and T-lineage ALL have prognostic impact. We conclude that the chemotherapy-only approach in children with ALL in Total Therapy-based strategies and BFM-backbone treatment does not jeopardize survival and preserves cognitive functioning. This experience is implemented in the current DCOG-ALL-10 study using a BFM backbone and minimal residual disease-based stratification.

Increased blood loss in upright birthing positions originates from perineal damage.

OBJECTIVE: To assess whether the risk of severe blood loss is increased in semi-sitting and sitting position, and if so, to which extent blood loss from perineal damage is responsible for this finding. DESIGN: Secondary analysis of data from a large trial. SETTING: Primary care midwifery practices in the Netherlands. POPULATION: About 1646 low-risk women who had a spontaneous vaginal delivery. METHODS: Blood loss was measured using a weighing scale and measuring jug. Logistic regression analysis was used to examine the net effects of birthing position and perineal damage on blood loss greater than 500 ml. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Mean total blood loss and incidence of blood loss greater than 500 ml and 1000 ml. RESULTS: Mean total blood loss and the incidence of blood loss greater than 500 ml and 1000 ml were increased in semi-sitting and sitting position. In logistic regression analysis, the interaction between birthing position and perineal damage was almost significantly associated with an increased risk of blood loss greater than 500 ml. Semi-sitting and sitting position were only significant risk factors among women with perineal damage (OR 1.30, 95% CI 1.00-1.69 and OR 2.25, 95% CI 1.37-3.71, respectively). Among women with intact perineum, no association was found. CONCLUSIONS: Semi-sitting and sitting birthing positions only lead to increased blood loss among women with perineal damage.

Ethnic differences in congenital malformations in the Netherlands: analyses of a 5-year birth cohort.

Congenital malformations are among the major causes of perinatal mortality and morbidity at present. Research into the ethnic diversity of congenital malformations can form a basis both for aetiological studies and for health care advice and planning. This study compared the overall prevalence of congenital malformations, the prevalence in different organ systems and of several specific malformations between different maternal ethnic groups in the Netherlands using a 5-year national birth cohort (1996-2000) containing 881 800 births. Maternal ethnic groups considered were Dutch; Mediterranean (Moroccan/Turkish); other European; Black; Hindu and Asian. Mediterranean women had a 20% higher risk of having a child with a congenital malformation than Dutch women (age-adjusted OR = 1.21 [95% CI 1.16, 1.27]). They showed an increased risk of malformations in several organ systems such as the central nervous system and sensory organs, the urogenital system and skin and abdominal wall. Further, they had an increased risk of the group of chromosomal malformations/multiple malformations/syndromes. For the specific group of multiple malformations the maternal age adjusted OR was 1.80 [95% CI 1.47, 2.20]. The Black group showed a significantly increased risk of skeletal and muscular malformations (age adjusted OR = 1.76 [95% CI 1.53, 2.02]) with a sixfold increased risk of polydactyly compared with the Dutch group. For Mediterranean women, the largest and fastest growing group of immigrants in the Netherlands, this study demonstrated an increased risk of congenital malformations.

The incidence of suspected myocardial infarction in Dutch general practice in the period 1978-1994.

AIM: To evaluate how the incidence of suspected myocardial infarction has developed from 1978 to 1994 and to study the incidence of confirmed acute myocardial infarction in Dutch general practices during the period 1991-1994. METHODS: In three periods (1978, 1983-1985 and 1991-1994) the incidence of suspected myocardial infarction has been registered by the 'Dutch Sentinel Practice Network'. This is a registration system that obtains data from general practitioners covering about 150,000 persons. During the period 1991-1994 the incidence of confirmed myocardial infarction was also registered. RESULTS: For men, the incidence rate of suspected myocardial infarction decreased by 28% from 4.7 per 1000 in 1978 to 3.4 per 1000 in the period 1991-1994. For women, the incidence fell by 23% from 2.6 per 1000 in 1978 to 2.0 per 1000 in the period 1983-1985 and stabilized thereafter. The most pronounced decrease in the incidence of suspected myocardial infarction during the period 1978-1994 occurred in both men and women aged 45-64. In the period 1991-1994, the standardized incidence rate of confirmed myocardial infarction is 1.7 per 1000 for men and 0.9 per 1000 for women. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that the incidence of suspected myocardial infarction has declined substantially between 1978 and 1994 both for men and for women; this decline is most pronounced in the age group 45-64.

An European concerted action investigating the validity of perinatal mortality as an outcome indicator for the quality of antenatal and perinatal care.

In this paper the concepts, objectives, design, and data analysis procedures of the EuroNatal study are described. This study started in 1996 and is a concerted action including 14 countries in Europe. The EuroNatal study aims at determining the validity of national perinatal mortality rates as an outcome indicator for the quality of antenatal and perinatal care. It is based on a conceptual model describing the relationships between differences in quality of antenatal and perinatal care, maternal and infant risk factors, variation in applied definitions, reliability of registration procedures and practices, and the outcome in terms of "true" and "observed" differences in perinatal mortality. In the first part of the study data is collected at national and aggregate level; in the second part data is collected retrospectively on individual cases of perinatal mortality in a regional sample area. Analysis of the individual cases of perinatal mortality will be by means of a perinatal audit conducted by an international expert panel. The project builds upon the work done by the participants in their respective countries. By applying common research protocols, international comparability of data collection will be enhanced and will help to create a common body of knowledge in the area of perinatal epidemiology and perinatal care. Comparison between countries is likely to lead to new insights into the strengths and weaknesses of antenatal and perinatal care systems of individual countries.

Increasing awareness of and behaviour towards periconceptional folic acid consumption in The Netherlands from 1994 to 1995.

OBJECTIVE: In November 1993, Dutch health authorities advised that women planning a pregnancy should take folic acid in the periconceptional period to reduce the risk of fetal neural tube defects. In the autumn of 1995 a national campaign was organized to inform women and health care professionals in a systematic way. METHODS: We assessed the awareness and behaviour of women at their first or second antenatal visit in two surveys in the spring of 1994 and the autumn of 1995, in order to evaluate the impact of non-systematic information during that period, and to collect baseline data to evaluate the effect of the national folic acid campaign. The two surveys were carried out in the north and the west of The Netherlands. RESULTS: The proportion of women who had heard of folic acid increased from 28% to 78%. The proportion that used folic acid during any period in pregnancy increased from 7.8% to 26%. The proportion that took folic acid tablets during the whole of the recommended period increased from 0.8 to 4.4%. In the group of women who did not take folic acid, the proportion who did "not like to use anything during pregnancy" decreased, as did the proportion who did "not think it is useful". CONCLUSION: In the Netherlands, non-systemic information about periconceptional folic acid use has already led to significant changes in awareness and behaviour before the start of the national folic acid campaign.

The reliability of perinatal and neonatal mortality rates: differential under-reporting in linked professional registers vs. Dutch civil registers.

Official Dutch perinatal mortality rates are based on birth and death certificates. These civil registration data are not detailed enough for international comparisons or extensive epidemiological research. In this study, we linked and extrapolated three national, incomplete, professional registers from midwives, obstetricians and paediatricians, containing detailed perinatal information. This linkage and extrapolation resulted in one detailed professional database which is representative of all Dutch births and from which gestational age-specific perinatal mortality rates could be calculated. The reliability of these calculated mortality rates was established by comparing them with the rates derived from the national civil registers. The professional database reported more perinatal deaths and fewer late neonatal deaths than the civil registers. The under-reporting in the civil registers amounted to 1.2 fewer perinatal deaths per 1000 births and was most apparent in immature newborns. We concluded that under-reporting of perinatal and neonatal deaths depends on the data source used. Mortality rates for the purpose of national and international comparison should, therefore, be defined with caution. This study also demonstrated that combining different incomplete professional registers can result in a more reliable database containing detailed perinatal information. Such databases can be used as the basis for extensive perinatal epidemiological research.

The influence of prenatal screening and termination of pregnancy on perinatal mortality rates.

OBJECTIVES: This study concerns the possible effect of practice of prenatal screening of congenital anomalies followed by termination of pregnancy on the perinatal mortality between European countries. METHODS: Data of nine region-specific EUROCAT registries from five European countries were used to compare the pregnancy termination rate and perinatal mortality due to congenital anomalies between the registries. The impact of pregnancy terminations on the perinatal mortality rate was estimated using a calculated lethality for each congenital anomaly in the hypothetical case that no pregnancy terminations had been performed and was expressed in the 'natural' perinatal mortality rate. RESULTS: There are large differences between the EUROCAT registries in the number of pregnancy terminations for congenital anomalies. The difference between the 'natural' and regular perinatal mortality rate vary between 3.7 and 14.1 per 10 000 live births and stillbirths. The difference is greater in regions where prenatal screening is more common than in regions where this is not common. CONCLUSION: Differences in practice of prenatal screening and termination of pregnancy of congenital anomalies contribute to the variations in the overall perinatal mortality rate between European regions and countries.

The Dutch 'Folic Acid Campaign'--have the goals been achieved?

Periconceptional folic acid use considerably reduces the risk of neural tube defects. The aim of this study was to measure the effect of the national and the local 'Folic Acid Campaign' on periconceptional folic acid use. Before (1995 survey) and 1 year after the campaign (1996 survey), the awareness and use of folic acid was measured among pregnant women in four regions of the Netherlands. To this end, pregnant women who visited the midwife, general practitioner or obstetrician for the first or second prenatal visit were asked to complete a questionnaire. The results showed that use of folic acid for any period around conception increased from 25.1% in 1995 to 53.5% in 1996. Appropriate use (4 weeks before until 8 weeks after conception) increased from 4.8% in 1995 to 21.0% in 1996. No additional effect of the local Folic Acid Campaign was found (adjusted odds ratio= 1.0; 95% confidence interval = 0.7, 1.4). It was possible to conclude that folic acid use at the recommended time increased considerably as a result of the national and the local Folic Acid Campaign, but the target (use in 46% of women wishing to conceive) was not achieved. New health education programmes are needed to increase further its use at the appropriate times.