Determinants of health-promoting behaviors in pregnant women.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to examine the relationship between social support, marital dissatisfaction, psychological factors, and health-promoting behaviors in pregnant women. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 1,265 pregnant women who visited the outpatient clinic of a maternity hospital between May and August 2023. The Health Promotion Lifestyle-II Questionnaire was used to measure the healthy lifestyle behaviors of pregnant women. The mental health status of pregnant women was measured using the Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale-21. The Marital Disaffection Scale was used to assess the level of disaffection toward a spouse. Perceived social support was measured by the Multidimensional Perceived Social Support Scale. RESULTS: Pregnant women had a mean age of 26.46±5.09 years. Multivariate linear regression analysis revealed that there was a positive association between perceived social support and health-promoting behaviors. It was also found that marital disaffection was negatively associated with health-promoting behaviors (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: The present study suggests that stress, anxiety, depression, and marital disaffection are negatively associated with health-promoting lifestyle behaviors, while social support is positively associated with the adoption of health practices in pregnant women. Understanding the complex interplay between psychosocial factors and healthy behaviors is crucial to improving healthy behaviors in pregnant women.

Impact of anthro-metabolic indices and gestational weight gain on maternal and neonatal outcomes: a prospective observational study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to examine the relationship of anthro-metabolic indices on maternal and neonatal outcomes. METHODS: This prospective observational study was conducted on healthy mother-baby pairs between January 1, 2023 and July 1, 2023. Detailed sociodemographic information was collected through an interview with the mother. Clinical, biochemical, obstetric, fetal, and neonatal outcomes were abstracted from hospital medical records. Anthropometric measurements were obtained from the examination of mother-baby pairs. RESULTS: A total of 336 healthy mothers-children pairs were included. Mothers of newborn ≥4000 g had higher gestational age (p=0.003), body mass index (p=0.003), gestational weight gain (p=0.016), waist circumferences (p=0.002), and hip circumferences (p=0.001). gestational weight gain was associated with the mode of delivery (p=0.023). waist-to-hip ratio (p=0.005), gestational weight gain (p=0.013), and a body shape index (p<0.001) were associated with longer length of hospital stay. Age (p<0.001) and inter-pregnancy interval (p=0.004) were higher in pre-pregnancy underweight/obese mothers. Receiver operating characteristic analysis revealed that maternal waist circumferences (AUC: 0.708, p=0.005), maternal weight (AUC: 0.690, p=0.010), and hip circumferences (AUC: 0.680, p=0.015) were sufficient to predict macrosomia (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The study demonstrated a significant association between gestational weight gain and cesarean delivery, prolonged hospital stay, and macrosomia. It was also found that maternal body mass index, waist circumferences, and hip circumferences during pregnancy were associated with macrosomia. On the contrary, no significant relationship was found between maternal anthro-metabolic characteristics and maternal-fetal and birth outcomes.

Effect of mode of delivery on postpartum health-related quality of life.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to explore the impact of mode of delivery on health-related quality of life in mothers. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted between May and August 2022 on healthy singleton pregnant women aged between 18 and 45 years. Data on socio-demographic variables, clinic features, pregnancy and birth characteristics, and neonatal outcomes were collected. Health-related quality of life was assessed by using EQ-5D-5L questionnaire. RESULTS: A total of 1,015 healthy pregnant women were included. The EQ-5D-5L index score was higher in those with regular sleep patterns (p<0.001), those who did physical activity (PA) during pregnancy (p<0.001), those who received spousal support (p<0.001), and those with very good and good perceived health (p<0.001). EQ-5D-5L index and EQ-5D-5L-VAS scores were lower in those with unplanned pregnancy, those who preferred cesarean section, those who had cesarean section, those who underwent episiotomy, and those who admitted to the intensive care unit (p<0.001). Emergency cesarean section and elective cesarean section had the lowest and second lowest health-related quality of life mean scores, while normal vaginal deliveries had the highest health-related quality of life mean scores, respectively (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: This study showed that health-related quality of life was higher after vaginal delivery than after cesarean section. In addition, spousal support, regular sleep pattern, and PA during pregnancy play an important role in maternal health-related quality of life.

Impact of anthro-metabolic indices and gestational weight gain on maternal and neonatal outcomes: a prospective observational study

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to examine the relationship of anthro-metabolic indices on maternal and neonatal outcomes. METHODS: This prospective observational study was conducted on healthy mother-baby pairs between January 1, 2023 and July 1, 2023. Detailed sociodemographic information was collected through an interview with the mother. Clinical, biochemical, obstetric, fetal, and neonatal outcomes were abstracted from hospital medical records. Anthropometric measurements were obtained from the examination of mother-baby pairs. RESULTS: A total of 336 healthy mothers-children pairs were included. Mothers of newborn ≥4000 g had higher gestational age (p=0.003), body mass index (p=0.003), gestational weight gain (p=0.016), waist circumferences (p=0.002), and hip circumferences (p=0.001). gestational weight gain was associated with the mode of delivery (p=0.023). waist-to-hip ratio (p=0.005), gestational weight gain (p=0.013), and a body shape ındex (p<0.001) were associated with longer length of hospital stay. Age (p<0.001) and inter-pregnancy interval (p=0.004) were higher in pre-pregnancy underweight/obese mothers. Receiver operating characteristic analysis revealed that maternal waist circumferences (AUC: 0.708, p=0.005), maternal weight (AUC: 0.690, p=0.010), and hip circumferences (AUC: 0.680, p=0.015) were sufficient to predict macrosomia (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The study demonstrated a significant association between gestational weight gain and cesarean delivery, prolonged hospital stay, and macrosomia. It was also found that maternal body mass index, waist circumferences, and hip circumferences during pregnancy were associated with macrosomia. On the contrary, no significant relationship was found between maternal anthro-metabolic characteristics and maternal-fetal and birth outcomes.

Effect of mode of delivery on postpartum health-related quality of life

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to explore the impact of mode of delivery on health-related quality of life in mothers. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted between May and August 2022 on healthy singleton pregnant women aged between 18 and 45 years. Data on socio-demographic variables, clinic features, pregnancy and birth characteristics, and neonatal outcomes were collected. Health-related quality of life was assessed by using EQ-5D-5L questionnaire. RESULTS: A total of 1,015 healthy pregnant women were included. The EQ-5D-5L index score was higher in those with regular sleep patterns (p<0.001), those who did physical activity (PA) during pregnancy (p<0.001), those who received spousal support (p<0.001), and those with very good and good perceived health (p<0.001). EQ-5D-5L index and EQ-5D-5L-VAS scores were lower in those with unplanned pregnancy, those who preferred cesarean section, those who had cesarean section, those who underwent episiotomy, and those who admitted to the intensive care unit (p<0.001). Emergency cesarean section and elective cesarean section had the lowest and second lowest health-related quality of life mean scores, while normal vaginal deliveries had the highest health-related quality of life mean scores, respectively (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: This study showed that health-related quality of life was higher after vaginal delivery than after cesarean section. In addition, spousal support, regular sleep pattern, and PA during pregnancy play an important role in maternal health-related quality of life.

Effects of oxytocin induction on early postpartum hemorrhage, perineal integrity, and breastfeeding: a case-control study

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the postpartum hemorrhage, perineal integrity, and breastfeeding results of mothers who underwent oxytocin induction in the first stage of labor in the early postpartum period. METHODS: This single-center observational case-control study was conducted in the obstetric unit of a public hospital in Istanbul. The study sampling included 44 pregnant women who received oxytocin induction (case group) and 44 pregnant women who did not receive oxytocin (control group). The Personal Information Form, LATCH Breastfeeding Assessment Tool, Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale, Redness, Edema, Ecchymosis, Discharge, and Approximation Scale, and Postpartum Hemorrhage Collection Bag were used in data collection, and pad follow-up was carried out. RESULTS: The amount of hemorrhage in the first 24 h of the postpartum period and the mean Redness, Edema, Ecchymosis, Discharge, and Approximation Scale score were significantly higher in the case group. While 47.7% of the oxytocin-induced women had 1st or 2nd, and 11.4% had 3rd or 4th degrees of lacerations, 20.5% of the control group had 1st or 2nd, and 2.3% had 3rd or 4th degrees of lacerations. There was no significant difference between the mean scores of the Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale and LATCH Breastfeeding Assessment Tool in both groups. CONCLUSION: According to the study findings, it was determined that oxytocin induction administered in the first stage of labor increased hemorrhage and perineal trauma in the early postpartum period but did not affect the results of breastfeeding. Clinical Trial Registration Number: NCT04441125.

Determinants of health-promoting behaviors in pregnant women

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to examine the relationship between social support, marital dissatisfaction, psychological factors, and health-promoting behaviors in pregnant women. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 1,265 pregnant women who visited the outpatient clinic of a maternity hospital between May and August 2023. The Health Promotion Lifestyle-II Questionnaire was used to measure the healthy lifestyle behaviors of pregnant women. The mental health status of pregnant women was measured using the Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale-21. The Marital Disaffection Scale was used to assess the level of disaffection toward a spouse. Perceived social support was measured by the Multidimensional Perceived Social Support Scale. RESULTS: Pregnant women had a mean age of 26.46±5.09 years. Multivariate linear regression analysis revealed that there was a positive association between perceived social support and health-promoting behaviors. It was also found that marital disaffection was negatively associated with health-promoting behaviors (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: The present study suggests that stress, anxiety, depression, and marital disaffection are negatively associated with health-promoting lifestyle behaviors, while social support is positively associated with the adoption of health practices in pregnant women. Understanding the complex interplay between psychosocial factors and healthy behaviors is crucial to improving healthy behaviors in pregnant women.

Effects of oxytocin induction on early postpartum hemorrhage, perineal integrity, and breastfeeding: a case-control study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the postpartum hemorrhage, perineal integrity, and breastfeeding results of mothers who underwent oxytocin induction in the first stage of labor in the early postpartum period. METHODS: This single-center observational case-control study was conducted in the obstetric unit of a public hospital in Istanbul. The study sampling included 44 pregnant women who received oxytocin induction (case group) and 44 pregnant women who did not receive oxytocin (control group). The Personal Information Form, LATCH Breastfeeding Assessment Tool, Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale, Redness, Edema, Ecchymosis, Discharge, and Approximation Scale, and Postpartum Hemorrhage Collection Bag were used in data collection, and pad follow-up was carried out. RESULTS: The amount of hemorrhage in the first 24 h of the postpartum period and the mean Redness, Edema, Ecchymosis, Discharge, and Approximation Scale score were significantly higher in the case group. While 47.7% of the oxytocin-induced women had 1st or 2nd, and 11.4% had 3rd or 4th degrees of lacerations, 20.5% of the control group had 1st or 2nd, and 2.3% had 3rd or 4th degrees of lacerations. There was no significant difference between the mean scores of the Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale and LATCH Breastfeeding Assessment Tool in both groups. CONCLUSION: According to the study findings, it was determined that oxytocin induction administered in the first stage of labor increased hemorrhage and perineal trauma in the early postpartum period but did not affect the results of breastfeeding. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT04441125.