Assessment of professional empowerment among midwives in selected LAC: A multisite descriptive study.

OBJECTIVE: to identify the perception of professional empowerment among midwives in selected Latin American countries (LA). Specifically, this study aimed to compare i) the global level of empowerment among midwives in different LA countries, ii) the scores according to the different dimensions of the scale, and iii) scores according to area the of expertise. DESIGN: A quantitative, observational, analytical, cross-sectional and multisite study using an adaptation of the Perceptions Midwifery Empowerment Scale (PEMS). SETTINGS: Clinical, educational and managerial midwifery positions in 5 LA countries belonging to a Latin American Research Network in Midwifery. All the participating countries reported a similar profile regarding type of education, association and regulation procedures. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 1127 responses from midwives with different professional backgrounds were included in the study. FINDINGS: A total mean score of 73.28 (74.23-72.03) points was reported. Chile reported the lowest score of empowerment compared to the other countries, while Argentina reported the highest. Midwives' perceptions of empowerment within their area of expertise, primary health care (PHC) was the area of reference, and gynaecology reported a significantly lower score. Midwives working in management were significantly more empowered compared with those in other areas. Midwives who had continuous education and postgraduate studies were the most empowered. Regarding the provision of woman-centred Care, Chile and El Salvador differed significantly from Argentina (reference), while Uruguay reported a significantly higher score in this dimension. Midwives working in hospital wards reported significantly lower scores compared to those working in PHC. KEY CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: This study suggests that midwifery programmes in the LA countries would benefit from prioritising professional empowerment, especially in the areas of hospital practice, where midwives' perceptions of empowerment were most limited.

Comadronas ixiles: el eslabón entre las embarazadas, la familia y la comunidad / Ixil midwives: the link between pregnant women, the family and the community

Este documento presenta una recopilación de buenas prácticas adoptadas por las comadronas y los servicios de salud, tras haber participado en los cinco diálogos interculturales realizados durante el año 2023 en la región Ixil, de los cuales tres estuvieron enfocados en salud reproductiva y dos en nutrición. Estos diálogos se realizaron como parte de la implementación de la Guía de Diálogos Interculturales en Salud, elaborada y oficializada por el Ministerio de Salud Pública y Asistencia Social, con la cooperación técnica de OPS/OMS y el apoyo financiero de la Unión Europea. A partir de la experiencia, se recogieron buenas prácticas y lecciones aprendidas que dan cuenta de mujeres y niños que son acompañadas por comadronas y personal de salud durante la ventana de los primeros mil días de vida, lo que deriva en niños más sanos, mejor nutridos y la prevención de la mortalidad materna. La metodología de diálogos interculturales en salud se basa en el Plan de Acción 2021-2025 de la Política de Comadronas de los Cuatro Pueblos de Guatemala 2015-2025 y consta de seis capítulos que fueron elaborados por la Unidad de Atención en Salud de los Pueblos Indígenas y la Dirección de Promoción y Educación en Salud.

Navigating a maze: Midwives' identity response to the enactment of an abortion law in Chile.

BACKGROUND: Chilean midwives have been identified as essential for successfully implementing an abortion law, a practice which could potentially be understood as contradicting their central mission. Nevertheless, to date, there has been no investigation into how Chilean midwives have incorporated induced abortion care provision into their professional identity. OBJECTIVE: To elucidate how Chilean midwives understand and provide abortion care and how they have (re)defined their professional identity to include induced abortion care. This article reports the findings of the second part of this aim. METHODS: This study was underpinned by a constructivist grounded theory methodology informed by a reproductive justice and feminist perspective. Midwives from Chile who have cared for women undergoing abortion were invited to participate in the study. After purposive and theoretical sampling, fifteen midwives were recruited. FINDINGS: Midwives' identity is woman-centred, with high value placed on their role protecting life. These two aspects of midwives' identity are in contradiction when providing abortion care. Midwives' identity results from and informs midwives' practice. Midwifery regulation influences both practice and identity. The model 'Navigating a maze' explains the interaction of these three elements. CONCLUSION: Midwives' identity response to the enactment of the Chilean abortion law is an example of how professional identity must navigate regulation and practice to make sense of its purpose. In light of this study's findings, the current tension experienced in midwives' identity should be carefully attended to prevent adverse outcomes for midwives and the Chilean population.

Assistência ao parto pélvico / Breech birth assistance

É imprescindível retomar o ensino da versão cefálica externa e das manobras tocúrgicas no parto pélvico vaginal, tanto em litotomia quanto na posição vertical. A adoção de protocolos rígidos para o parto pélvico vaginal planejado correlaciona-se com taxa de sucesso de aproximadamente 70% e taxas de resultados adversos inferiores a 7%. A morbimortalidade fetal e neonatal é semelhante à de cesárea planejada. Gestantes elegíveis para o parto pélvico vaginal devem concordar com a via de parto, possuir baixo risco de complicações e ser assistidas por profissionais com experiência em parto vaginal de apresentações anômalas e suas manobras obstétricas. Cesariana prévia e prematuridade entre 32 e 36 semanas não são contraindicações absolutas ao parto pélvico vaginal, devendo ser individualmente avaliadas na decisão da via de parto. Neonatologistas devem estar presentes no nascimento de fetos pélvicos, e um exame neonatal completo deve ser realizado. A rotação posterior do dorso fetal, o prolapso de cordão umbilical, a deflexão dos braços e/ou do polo cefálico e o encarceramento da cabeça derradeira são as principais distocias relacionadas à assistência ao parto pélvico por via vaginal. Todo profissional que assiste parto pélvico vaginal deve estar capacitado para a resolução adequada desses eventos. No parto pélvico vaginal em litotomia, as principais manobras para o auxílio ao desprendimento da pelve fetal são a tração inferior bidigital na prega inguinal e a manobra de Pinard; para o desprendimento do tronco fetal, as de Rojas, Deventer-Miler e Pajot; e para o desprendimento da cabeça derradeira, as de Mauriceau, Bracht, Champetier de Ribes e Praga e o parto vaginal operatório com o fórcipe de Piper. As posições não litotômicas no parto pélvico vaginal se associam à redução dos períodos de dilatação e expulsão, da taxa de cesariana, da necessidade de manobras para extração fetal e da taxa de lesões neonatais. No parto pélvico vaginal assistido na posição de quatro apoios, os aspectos a serem observados durante o desprendimento do corpo fetal incluem o tônus dos membros inferiores fetais, a rotação correta do tronco fetal (abdome fetal voltado para o dorso materno), o ingurgitamento vascular do cordão umbilical, a presença dos cotovelos e das pregas do tórax fetal e a dilatação anal materna. No parto pélvico vaginal assistido na posição de quatro apoios, mais da metade dos fetos se desprendem sem a necessidade de nenhuma manobra. Habitualmente, apenas duas manobras podem ser necessárias: uma para auxílio à saída dos ombros ("rotação 180°-90°") e outra para desprendimento da cabeça fetal ("Frank nudge").

Authorization of midwives to perform basic emergency obstetric and newborn care signal functions in Argentina, Ghana, and India: A multi-country validation study of a key global maternal and newborn health indicator.

BACKGROUND: Midwives' authorization to deliver the seven basic emergency obstetric and newborn care (BEmONC) functions is a core policy indicator in global monitoring frameworks, yet little evidence supports whether such data are captured accurately, or whether authorization demonstrates convergence with midwives' skills and actual provision of services. In this study, we aimed to validate the data reported in global monitoring frameworks (criterion validity) and to determine whether a measure of authorization is a valid indicator for BEmONC availability (construct validity). METHODS: We conducted a validation study in Argentina, Ghana, and India. To assess accuracy of the reported data on midwives' authorization to provide BEmONC services, we reviewed national regulatory documents and compared with reported country-specific data in Countdown to 2030 and the World Health Organization Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health Policy Survey. To assess whether authorization demonstrates convergent validity with midwives' skills, training, and performance of BEmONC signal functions, we surveyed 1257 midwives/midwifery professionals and assessed variance. RESULTS: We detected discrepancies between data reported in the global monitoring frameworks and the national regulatory framework in all three countries. We found wide variations between midwives' authorization to perform signal functions and their self-reported skills and actual performance within the past 90 days. The percentage of midwives who reported performing all signal functions for which they were authorized per country-specific regulations was 17% in Argentina, 23% in Ghana, and 31% in India. Additionally, midwives in all three countries reported performing some signal functions that the national regulations did not authorize. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest limitations in criterion and construct validity for this indicator in Argentina, Ghana, and India. Some signal functions such as assisted vaginal delivery may be obsolete based on current practice patterns. Findings suggest the need to re-examine the emergency interventions that should be included as BEmONC signal functions.

AMBAR: A midwifery-led training program to improve obstetric and neonatal practices among low-risk births in Mexico.

BACKGROUND: Birth care in Mexican health institutions is highly medicalized and of poor quality because of the prevalence of outdated and dangerous practices. AMBAR-a training program for health care providers on the use of evidence-based midwifery practices-was implemented during 2016-2018 and evaluated to assess the impact of training on key practices. METHODS: For this mixed-methods study, we evaluated the effects of a training program implemented in three public hospital networks in Mexico. Qualitative data were collected and integrated into the program before evaluating the effects of the intervention on 10 birth practices, 5 beneficial and 5 potentially harmful. Quantitative data on birth practices and covariates were collected at six time points (baseline and 5 follow-ups) in a final sample of 330 direct observations. Effect estimates were obtained by longitudinal logistic and Poisson regression models, adjusted for confounding variables. RESULTS: AMBAR had a significant effect on 4 of the 10 birth practices that were evaluated. Beneficial practices, such as skin-to-skin contact (P = 0.003) and delayed cord clamping (P = 0.039), increased significantly. Harmful when overused birth practices, such as vaginal examinations (P = 0.001), and cesarean birth (P < 0.001) decreased significantly. CONCLUSIONS: Midwifery-based training programs for health care providers can have an impact on the quality of care of birthing people and newborns, increasing the use of evidence-based practices and decreasing frequently overused practices.

Non-pharmacological measures for pain relief in childbirth: a systematic review / Medidas não farmacológicas para alívio da dor do parto: revisão sistemática

Abstract Objectives: to evaluate the effectiveness of non-pharmacological measures used by obstetric nurses to relieve pain during labor. Methods: this is a systematic review of the databases carried out in the United States National Library of Medicine, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Heal Literature, Scopus, Web of Science and Latin American and Caribbean Literature in Health Sciences, the descriptors were: labor pain, labor, obstetric and obstetric nursing. The search and selection followed the PRISMA recommendations, were carried out from August to September 2020, and randomized clinical trials were eligible and analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results: 17 clinical trials made up the final sample, which highlight the use of non-pharmacological measures with diversified benefits for labor, namely: thermal therapy (20%); massage/sacral massage (15%); Swiss ball exercises (15%); acupressure (15%); auriculotherapy (10%); music therapy (10%); aromatherapy (5%); acupuncture (5%); and dance (5%). Conclusion: the non-pharmacological measures found in this review are efficient to promote pain reduction during labor, associated with a decrease in the use of drug interventions.

Resumo Objetivos: avaliar a efetividade das medidas não farmacológicas utilizadas por enfermeiros obstetras para o alívio da dor durante o trabalho de parto. Métodos: trata-se de uma revisão sistemática realizada nas bases de dados United States National Library of Medicine, Cumulative Index to Nursingand Allied Heal Literature, Scopus, Web of Science e Literatura Latino-americana e do Caribe em Ciências da Saúde, os descritores foram: labor pain, labor, obstetric e obstetric nursing. A busca e seleção seguiu as recomendações do PRISMA, aconteceu de agosto a setembro de 2020, foram elegíveis ensaios clínicos randomizados e foram analisados por meio de estatística descritiva. Resultados: 17 ensaios clínicos compuseram a amostra final, os quais destacam a utilização de medidas não farmacológicas com benefícios diversificados para o trabalho de parto, a saber: terapia térmica (20%); massagem/massagem sacral (15%); exercícios em bola suíça (15%); acupressão (15%); auriculoterapia (10%); musicoterapia (10%); aromaterapia (5%); acupuntura (5%); e dança (5%). Conclusão: as medidas não farmacológicas encontradas nesta revisão são eficientes para promover a redução da dor durante o trabalho de parto, associando-se com a diminuição do uso de intervenções medicamentosas.

Analysis of midwives' situation and the need to measure their workloads.

OBJECTIVE: to analyze midwives' employment situation of midwives and detect their workload measurement needs. METHODS: a mixed methodology (quantitative and qualitative), observational, descriptive and cross-sectional study. Two phases were carried out. The first methodological phase consisted of conducting semi-structured individual interviews. The second methodological phase analyzed the Nursing Intervention Classification (NIC) interventions that midwives perform in the labor room during daily practice. RESULTS: 90.3% of midwives have work overload, since for 80.6% the midwife-pregnant mother ratio is not well established, since the mean execution time of a Nursing Intervention Classification (NIC) intervention is 20 minutes. For this reason, 100% of the sample considers the development of workload measurement tools to be highly useful. CONCLUSIONS: the need to generate an instrument that considers the diversity of Nursing Intervention Classification (NIC) interventions that develop within the labor room is ratified.

Midwives' experiences with screening for intimate partner violence in Santiago, Chile.

Although intimate partner violence (IPV) is well-established as a highly prevalent global issue, research examining the experience of health providers who screen women at risk for IPV is scarce. We aimed to explore the experience of midwives in primary health care centers in Santiago, Chile, regarding identification of at-risk women and barriers to screening. We highlight the intersection of complex issues of global relevance, such as culture, language, provider-patient relationships, and allocation of time and resources. In our results, we illustrate the importance of providing midwives extended time, interpreter services, and cross-cultural education to address IPV in their transcultural context.

Dimensions of childbirth care associated with maternal satisfaction among low-risk Chilean women.

The authors of this study aimed to describe the level of maternal satisfaction during labor reported by a national sample of low-risk childbearing women in Chile by identifying the dimensions of intrapartum care most determinant for overall satisfaction. Maternal satisfaction was measured in the postpartum period with an instrument previously validated in Chile. Almost half of the participants (49.4%) reported having optimal satisfaction, 29% adequate, and 22% worse. Treatment of women by professionals and the physical environment were the most important dimension predicting of maternal satisfaction, consistent with findings from developing countries emphasizing patient-provider interaction during labor as a key component of birth care quality.

Is it possible to incorporate evidence-based professional midwifery practices into public health services in Mexico?

PROBLEM AND BACKGROUND: During the past two decades, Mexico has launched innovative maternal health initiatives to improve maternal and neonatal outcomes, placing emphasis on the incorporation of professional midwifery practices into the healthcare system. This study explored the perceptions of healthcare providers and women using public birth care services regarding professional midwifery practices and how can the inclusion of evidence-based midwifery techniques improve the quality of service. METHODOLOGY: We conducted a qualitative, cross-sectional study of three healthcare networks in Mexico. A content analysis was performed of data collected through 109 semi-structured interviews: 72 with healthcare providers and 37 with women. RESULTS: Healthcare providers and women had minimal knowledge of the competencies and skills of professional midwives. Medical personnel accepted the incorporation of some evidence-based midwifery practices. Women had experienced fear and anguish during childbirth so they considered that incorporating professional midwifery practices into maternal health services would be favourable in that it would render birth care more respectful. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: Healthcare providers are willing to consider the inclusion of some evidence-based midwifery practices in health services and regard assistance from professional midwives. They believe that structural conditions will complicate their incorporation. Although the women interviewed had experienced fear, anxiety and loneliness during childbirth, most of them admitted to feeling "safer" in a hospital (secondary-care health centre) setting where possible complications could be resolved. This perception of safety served to justify the delivery of healthcare in a manner that is inattentive to women's needs, which go beyond biomedical issues and include emotions and the positive experience of childbirth.

Status of national policy on companion of choice at birth in Latin America and the Caribbean: Gaps and challenges / Situación de la política nacional sobre el acompañante durante el parto en América Latina y el Caribe: brechas y desafíos / Situação da política nacional sobre acompanhante de trabalho de parto e parto na América Latina e no Caribe: lacunas e desafios

ABSTRACT The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends a companion of choice during labor and birth, to improve maternal and perinatal outcomes and women's satisfaction with health services. To better understand the status of companion of choice in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), an online survey was conducted with members of a midwifery virtual community of practice and with key informants, aiming to identify: 1) existing regulatory instruments related to companion of choice in the countries where the members are practicing; and, 2) key characteristics of implementation of companion of choice, where regulation exists. Responses (n = 112) were received from representatives of 20 of the 43 countries of LAC. Respondents reported existence of a national policy or legislation in seven countries, ministerial norms or institutional protocols in five countries, and no existing policy/protocol in eight countries. Respondents from the same country often provided contradictory responses. Responses differed from information provided by ministries of health in a WHO-led global policy survey in 11 instances. These variations may reflect that midwives were not always aware of the national policy/guideline in their country. We propose that a more robust effort should be undertaken to understand the status of companion of choice for labor and birth in LAC countries, at national, regional, and local level, in public and private facilities. It is important to know if policies exist, at what level of the system, and if key stakeholders, maternity-care health providers, and women are aware of their existence. Efforts should also be made to understand barriers to implementing companion of choice.(AU)

RESUMEN La Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS) recomienda la presencia de un acompañante durante el trabajo de parto y el parto debido a que mejora los resultados maternos y perinatales y la satisfacción de las mujeres con los servicios de salud. Para comprender mejor la situación acerca de los acompañantes en América Latina y el Caribe (ALC) se llevó a cabo una encuesta en línea dirigida a miembros de una comunidad de práctica de partería e informantes clave con el objetivo de identificar: 1) los instrumentos regulatorios existentes relacionados con la presencia de acompañante en los países en los que ejercen las personas encuestadas y 2) las características clave relacionadas con la implementación del acompañante, en los lugares donde existe un marco regulatorio. Se recibieron 112 respuestas de 20 de los 43 países de ALC. Las personas encuestadas informaron la existencia de una política o legislación nacional en siete países, de normas ministeriales o protocolos institucionales en cinco países, y de la inexistencia de una política o un protocolo en ocho países. Las respuestas provenientes del mismo país a menudo fueron contradictorias, y en 11 casos estas difirieron de la información proporcionada por los ministerios de salud en una encuesta mundial sobre políticas dirigida por la OMS. Estas variaciones pueden reflejar que los profesionales de la partería no siempre conocían la política o el protocolo de su país. Debe emprenderse un esfuerzo más firme para comprender la situación relacionada con el acompañante durante el trabajo de parto y el parto en los países de ALC a nivel nacional, regional y local, tanto en instituciones públicas como privadas. Es importante conocer si existen políticas y en qué nivel del sistema y si los principales interesados, los prestadores de servicios de salud materna y las mujeres conocen su existencia. Se deben realizar esfuerzos para comprender los obstáculos que impiden la implementación de la presencia de un acompañante durante el parto.(AU)

RESUMO A Organização Mundial da Saúde (OMS) recomenda a presença de um acompanhante durante o trabalho de parto e parto, já que essa medida melhora os resultados maternos e perinatais e a satisfação da mulher com os serviços de saúde. Para caracterizar a situação dos acompanhantes na América Latina e Caribe (ALC), realizou-se uma pesquisa on-line com membros de uma comunidade de prática de profissionais de obstetrícia e com informantes chaves para identificar: 1) a existência de instrumentos regulatórios relacionados com a presença de acompanhante nos países onde os respondentes atuam e 2) características chaves relacionadas com a implementação das políticas de acompanhantes nos locais onde existe regulamentação. Foram recebidas 112 respostas de 20 dos 43 países da ALC. Os respondentes relataram a existência de uma política ou legislação nacional em sete países, normas ministeriais ou protocolos institucionais em cinco países e nenhuma política ou protocolo em oito países. Respondentes de um mesmo país deram muitas vezes respostas contraditórias. Em 11 casos, as respostas diferiram das informações fornecidas pelos ministérios da saúde em uma pesquisa de políticas globais realizada pela OMS. Essas variações podem indicar que os profissionais nem sempre conheciam a política ou protocolo em vigor no seu país. Propõe-se a necessidade de iniciativas mais robustas para compreender a situação do acompanhante no trabalho de parto em países da ALC, em nível nacional, regional e local, tanto em instituições públicas como privadas. É importante saber se as políticas existem, em que nível do sistema existem e se as principais partes interessadas, os provedores de cuidados de saúde materna e as mulheres estão cientes de sua existência. São necessários esforços para compreender os obstáculos à implementação do sistema de acompanhante de parto.(AU)

Do the concepts of "life course approach" and "developmental origins of health and disease" underpin current maternity care? Study protocol.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the knowledge of Developmental Origins of Health and Disease (DOHaD) concepts among midwives and obstetricians and to identify barriers and facilitators for clinicians to engage women and their partners before or early in pregnancy on risk factors associated with DOHaD, and thus to embed the concept of DOHaD in routine clinical practice. METHODS: A qualitative study using semi-structured interviews will be conducted in Ghana, India, Pakistan, Brazil, the UK, and USA in collaboration with the International Confederation of Midwives and the International Federation of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Participants will be contacted via email and telephone interviews will be conducted until data saturation followed by inductive thematic analysis. RESULTS: Findings from this exploratory study will provide new knowledge about the perspectives of midwives and obstetricians on DOHaD and their role in preventing the intergenerational passage of non-communicable disease (NCD) risk and improving preconception care. CONCLUSION: This study will help us understand the current use of DOHaD principles in international maternity care and how this can be improved. Bringing DOHaD to clinical practice will help healthcare practitioners adopt a long-term approach in the prevention of NCDs and childhood obesity and will help women to enter pregnancy in optimum health.

[Meanings of the childbirth plan for women that participated in the Meanings of Childbirth Exhibit]. / Os significados e sentidos do plano de parto para as mulheres que participaram da Exposição Sentidos do Nascer.

This study aimed to analyze the perspective of women who used the childbirth plan on their childbirth experience, the meanings of the childbirth plan and its components, and the relationship between the childbirth plan and labor and delivery. A qualitative descriptive study was performed. Data were collected with the questionnaire Meanings of Birth - Postpartum Contacts, applied via telephone contact. The study included women from the city and greater metropolitan area of Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil, that participated in the Meanings of Childbirth Exhibit in May-June 2015 and March 2016, when they were pregnant, with date of previous childbirth having occurred at least a year previously and without having experienced abortion. The questions were analyzed with content analysis. Data analysis revealed the following categories related to the childbirth plan: "presence of an accompanying person", "information on procedures", "use of pain relief methods", "use of anesthesia to continue with normal delivery", "eating during labor", "presence of a doula", "no unnecessary intervention", "normal delivery", "umbilical cord cut after pulsation", "presence of postpartum breastfeeding", and "respect/treatment". There was a direct relationship between performing the childbirth plan and a positive childbirth experience. This highlights the importance of using the childbirth plan as a technique that favors a positive childbirth experience. Women's development of the plan during prenatal care and its use by the attending healthcare team contributes to favorable labor.

O objetivo foi analisar a percepção das mulheres que realizaram o plano de parto sobre a experiência de parto, os significados do plano de parto, seus elementos constituintes e a relação do plano de parto com o trabalho de parto e parto. Um estudo descritivo qualitativo foi realizado. Os dados foram coletados por meio do questionário Sentidos do Nascer - Contatos Pós-parto, aplicado via contato telefônico. Incluiu mulheres de Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brasil, e região metropolitana que participaram da Exposição Sentidos do Nascer, no período de maio a junho de 2015 e março de 2016, quando estavam grávidas, com data do parto anterior ocorrida há mais de um ano e não ter tido abortamento. O tratamento analítico empregado foi a análise de conteúdo das questões. A partir da análise dos dados, emergiram as seguintes categorias referentes ao plano de parto: "presença de acompanhante", "informações sobre os procedimentos", "uso de métodos de alívio de dor", "o uso de anestesia para a continuação do parto normal", "alimentação durante o trabalho de parto", "presença da doula", "não haver intervenção desnecessária", "realização do parto normal", "corte do cordão umbilical após cessar pulsação", "presença e amamentação de recém-nascido pós-parto" e "respeito/tratamento". Observou-se relação direta com a realização do plano de parto e a experiência do parto positiva. Destaca-se a importância da utilização do plano de parto como uma tecnologia que favorece a experiência positiva do parto. A construção do plano pelas mulheres durante o pré-natal e a realização dele por parte da equipe de saúde contribuíram para o desenvolvimento favorável do trabalho de parto.

El objetivo fue analizar la percepción de las mujeres que participaron en el plan de parto sobre su experiencia durante el mismo, los significados del plan de parto, sus elementos constituyentes y la relación del plan de parto con el trabajo de parto y el parto en sí. Se realizó un estudio descriptivo cualitativo. Los datos se recogieron mediante el cuestionario Sentidos de Nacer - Contactos Posparto, aplicado por contacto telefónico. Incluyó a mujeres de Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brasil, y región metropolitana que participaron en la Exposición Sentidos de Nacer, durante el período de mayo a junio de 2015 y marzo de 2016, cuando estaban embarazadas, con un parto anterior con fecha de hacía más de un año y no haber sufrido un aborto. El tratamiento analítico empleado fue el análisis de contenido de las cuestiones. A partir del análisis de los datos, surgieron las siguientes categorías referentes al plan de parto: "presencia de acompañante", "información sobre los procedimientos", "uso de métodos para aliviar el dolor", "uso de anestesia para continuar con el parto normal", "alimentación durante el trabajo de parto", "presencia de una partera", "inexistencia de intervención innecesaria", "realización de parto normal", "corte del cordón umbilical tras cesar la pulsación", "presencia y lactancia de recién nacido posparto" y "respeto/tratamiento". Se observó la relación directa con la realización del plan de parto y la experiencia de parto positiva. Se destaca la importancia de la utilización del plan de parto como una tecnología que favorece la experiencia positiva del parto. La construcción del plan por parte de las mujeres durante el período prenatal y la realización del mismo, por parte del equipo de salud, contribuyen al desarrollo favorable del trabajo de parto.

Attention to childbirth and delivery in a university hospital: comparison of practices developed after Network Stork. / Atenção ao parto e nascimento em hospital universitário: comparação de práticas desenvolvidas após Rede Cegonha.

OBJECTIVE: to compare, after four years of the implementation of the Stork Network, the obstetric practices developed in a university hospital according to the classification of the World Health Organization. METHOD: cross-sectional study carried out in the year of adherence to the Stork Network (377 women) and replicated four years later (586 women). Data were obtained through medical records and a structured questionnaire. The Chi-square test was used in the analysis. RESULTS: four years after the implementation of the Stork Network, in Category A practices (demonstrably useful practices/good practices), there was increased frequency of companions, non-pharmacological methods, skin-to-skin contact and breastfeeding stimulation, and decreased freedom of position/movement. In Category B (harmful practices), there was reduction of trichotomy and increased venoclysis. In Category C (practices with no sufficient evidence), there was increase of Kristeller's maneuver. In Category D (improperly used practices), the percentage of digital examinations above the recommended level increased, as well as of analgesics and analgesia, and there was decrease of episiotomy. CONCLUSION: these findings indicate the maintenance of a technocratic and interventionist assistance and address the need for changes in the obstetric care model. A globally consolidated path is the incorporation of midwife nurses into childbirth for the appropriate use of technologies and the reduction of unnecessary interventions.

Atenção ao parto e nascimento em hospital universitário: comparação de práticas desenvolvidas após Rede Cegonha / Attention to childbirth and delivery in a university hospital: comparison of practices developed after Network Stork / Atención al parto y nacimiento en hospital universitario: comparación de prácticas desarrolladas después de la Red Cigüeña

Objetivo comparar, após transcorridos quatro anos da implementação da Rede Cegonha, as práticas obstétricas desenvolvidas em um hospital universitário segundo classificação da Organização Mundial da Saúde. Método estudo transversal realizado no ano de adesão à Rede Cegonha (377 mulheres) e replicado quatro anos após (586 mulheres). Dados obtidos mediante prontuário e questionário estruturado. Na análise, utilizou-se o Teste Qui-quadrado. Resultados quatro anos após a Rede Cegonha, dentre as práticas da Categoria A (práticas comprovadamente úteis/boas práticas), aumentou a frequência de acompanhante, de métodos não farmacológicos, de contato pele a pele e de estímulo à amamentação e diminuiu a liberdade de posição/movimentação. Na Categoria B (práticas prejudiciais), houve redução de tricotomia e aumento de venóclise. Na Categoria C (práticas sem evidências suficientes), o Kristeller apresentou aumento. Na Categoria D (práticas utilizadas de modo inadequado), aumentou o percentual de toque vaginal acima do recomendado, de analgésicos e de analgesia e diminuiu a episiotomia. Conclusão esses resultados indicam a manutenção de uma assistência tecnocrática e intervencionista e direcionam para a necessidade de mudanças no modelo de atenção obstétrica. Um caminho consolidado mundialmente é a incorporação de enfermeiras obstetras/obstetrizes na assistência ao parto pelo potencial de utilização apropriada de tecnologias e redução de intervenções desnecessárias.

Objective to compare, after four years of the implementation of the Stork Network, the obstetric practices developed in a university hospital according to the classification of the World Health Organization. Method cross-sectional study carried out in the year of adherence to the Stork Network (377 women) and replicated four years later (586 women). Data were obtained through medical records and a structured questionnaire. The Chi-square test was used in the analysis. Results four years after the implementation of the Stork Network, in Category A practices (demonstrably useful practices/good practices), there was increased frequency of companions, non-pharmacological methods, skin-to-skin contact and breastfeeding stimulation, and decreased freedom of position/movement. In Category B (harmful practices), there was reduction of trichotomy and increased venoclysis. In Category C (practices with no sufficient evidence), there was increase of Kristeller's maneuver. In Category D (improperly used practices), the percentage of digital examinations above the recommended level increased, as well as of analgesics and analgesia, and there was decrease of episiotomy. Conclusion these findings indicate the maintenance of a technocratic and interventionist assistance and address the need for changes in the obstetric care model. A globally consolidated path is the incorporation of midwife nurses into childbirth for the appropriate use of technologies and the reduction of unnecessary interventions.

Objetivo comparar, después de transcurridos cuatro años de la implementación de la Red Cigüeña, las prácticas obstétricas desarrolladas en un hospital universitario según clasificación de la Organización Mundial de la Salud. Método estudio transversal realizado en el año de adhesión a la Red Cigüeña (377 mujeres) y replicado cuatro años después (586 mujeres). Datos obtenidos mediante prontuario y cuestionario estructurado. En el análisis, se utilizó el Test Chi-cuadrado. Resultados cuatro años después de la Red Cigüeña, entre las prácticas de la Categoría A (prácticas demostradamente útiles/buenas prácticas), aumentó la frecuencia de acompañante, de métodos no farmacológicos, de contacto piel a piel y de estímulo a la lactancia y disminuyó la libertad de posición/movimiento. En la Categoría B (prácticas perjudiciales), hubo reducción de tricotomía y aumento de venoclisis. En la Categoría C (prácticas sin evidencias suficientes), el Kristeller presentó aumento. En la Categoría D (prácticas utilizadas de modo inadecuado), aumentó el porcentaje de toque vaginal más de lo recomendado, de analgésicos y de analgesia y disminuyó la episiotomía. Conclusión esos hallazgos indican el mantenimiento de una asistencia tecnocrática e intervencionista y dirigida para la necesidad de cambios en el modelo de atención obstétrica. Un camino consolidado mundialmente es la incorporación de enfermeras obstetras/parteras en la asistencia al parto por el potencial de utilización apropiada de tecnologías y reducción de intervenciones desnecesarias.

Os significados e sentidos do plano de parto para as mulheres que participaram da Exposição Sentidos do Nascer / Meanings of the childbirth plan for women that participated in the Meanings of Childbirth Exhibit / Los significados y sentidos del plan de parto para las mujeres que participaron en la Exposición Sentidos de Nacer

Resumo: O objetivo foi analisar a percepção das mulheres que realizaram o plano de parto sobre a experiência de parto, os significados do plano de parto, seus elementos constituintes e a relação do plano de parto com o trabalho de parto e parto. Um estudo descritivo qualitativo foi realizado. Os dados foram coletados por meio do questionário Sentidos do Nascer - Contatos Pós-parto, aplicado via contato telefônico. Incluiu mulheres de Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brasil, e região metropolitana que participaram da Exposição Sentidos do Nascer, no período de maio a junho de 2015 e março de 2016, quando estavam grávidas, com data do parto anterior ocorrida há mais de um ano e não ter tido abortamento. O tratamento analítico empregado foi a análise de conteúdo das questões. A partir da análise dos dados, emergiram as seguintes categorias referentes ao plano de parto: "presença de acompanhante", "informações sobre os procedimentos", "uso de métodos de alívio de dor", "o uso de anestesia para a continuação do parto normal", "alimentação durante o trabalho de parto", "presença da doula", "não haver intervenção desnecessária", "realização do parto normal", "corte do cordão umbilical após cessar pulsação", "presença e amamentação de recém-nascido pós-parto" e "respeito/tratamento". Observou-se relação direta com a realização do plano de parto e a experiência do parto positiva. Destaca-se a importância da utilização do plano de parto como uma tecnologia que favorece a experiência positiva do parto. A construção do plano pelas mulheres durante o pré-natal e a realização dele por parte da equipe de saúde contribuíram para o desenvolvimento favorável do trabalho de parto.

Abstract: This study aimed to analyze the perspective of women who used the childbirth plan on their childbirth experience, the meanings of the childbirth plan and its components, and the relationship between the childbirth plan and labor and delivery. A qualitative descriptive study was performed. Data were collected with the questionnaire Meanings of Birth - Postpartum Contacts, applied via telephone contact. The study included women from the city and greater metropolitan area of Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil, that participated in the Meanings of Childbirth Exhibit in May-June 2015 and March 2016, when they were pregnant, with date of previous childbirth having occurred at least a year previously and without having experienced abortion. The questions were analyzed with content analysis. Data analysis revealed the following categories related to the childbirth plan: "presence of an accompanying person", "information on procedures", "use of pain relief methods", "use of anesthesia to continue with normal delivery", "eating during labor", "presence of a doula", "no unnecessary intervention", "normal delivery", "umbilical cord cut after pulsation", "presence of postpartum breastfeeding", and "respect/treatment". There was a direct relationship between performing the childbirth plan and a positive childbirth experience. This highlights the importance of using the childbirth plan as a technique that favors a positive childbirth experience. Women's development of the plan during prenatal care and its use by the attending healthcare team contributes to favorable labor.

Resumen: El objetivo fue analizar la percepción de las mujeres que participaron en el plan de parto sobre su experiencia durante el mismo, los significados del plan de parto, sus elementos constituyentes y la relación del plan de parto con el trabajo de parto y el parto en sí. Se realizó un estudio descriptivo cualitativo. Los datos se recogieron mediante el cuestionario Sentidos de Nacer - Contactos Posparto, aplicado por contacto telefónico. Incluyó a mujeres de Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brasil, y región metropolitana que participaron en la Exposición Sentidos de Nacer, durante el período de mayo a junio de 2015 y marzo de 2016, cuando estaban embarazadas, con un parto anterior con fecha de hacía más de un año y no haber sufrido un aborto. El tratamiento analítico empleado fue el análisis de contenido de las cuestiones. A partir del análisis de los datos, surgieron las siguientes categorías referentes al plan de parto: "presencia de acompañante", "información sobre los procedimientos", "uso de métodos para aliviar el dolor", "uso de anestesia para continuar con el parto normal", "alimentación durante el trabajo de parto", "presencia de una partera", "inexistencia de intervención innecesaria", "realización de parto normal", "corte del cordón umbilical tras cesar la pulsación", "presencia y lactancia de recién nacido posparto" y "respeto/tratamiento". Se observó la relación directa con la realización del plan de parto y la experiencia de parto positiva. Se destaca la importancia de la utilización del plan de parto como una tecnología que favorece la experiencia positiva del parto. La construcción del plan por parte de las mujeres durante el período prenatal y la realización del mismo, por parte del equipo de salud, contribuyen al desarrollo favorable del trabajo de parto.

Good practices of labor and birth care from the perspective of health professionals.

OBJECTIVE: Determine the understanding of health professionals of an obstetric hospital regarding the good practices of labor and birth care recommended by the World Health Organization. METHOD: Research-initiative, with data collection between April and July 2016 using the focal group technique, with 27 health professionals of an obstetric hospital of Rio Grande do Sul with 21 hospitalization beds. RESULTS: Three thematic categories were achieved: good obstetric practices and their meanings; from the biological character to singular and multidimensional care; from the punctual and fragmented conception to the labor and birth care network. CONCLUSION: Good practices, in addition to enabling rethinking the obstetric model and contributing to organize the maternal and child health care network in order to ensure access, humane care, and problem-solving capacity, also foster female protagonism.

Implementation of a programme to develop research projects in a school of midwifery in Santiago, Chile.

BACKGROUND: The acquisition of research skills by midwifery students is increasingly important especially for midwifery programmes in universities. Recently, universities in Chile have included the development of research skills in the majority of professional curricula for basic and post-basic degree programmes. The lack of research training is a limitation recognised and shared with other Latin American countries which prevents scientific and technological development. OBJECTIVES: To describe the process of implementation of a programme of research projects by midwifery students in a school in Chile and the results obtained, and the perceptions of students and teachers. RESULTS: 31 work groups were formed (92 students), who developed and implemented research projects in gynecology, public health and neonatology. Research was conducted at six public hospitals serving high risk populations, a private clinic, and nine family health centres. The average scores earned for the projects was a 5.7 (scale of 1-7). The students and teachers positively rated the experience of undertaking research. CONCLUSION: The development of research projects allows students to acquire competencies and confidence in their research skills. It is an experience that can be replicated in other countries supported by the commitment of the midwifery and university faculty and the training and motivation of a group of midwifery educators.