Labor and childbirth care for women deprived of liberty: a scoping review.

OBJECTIVE: To map and analyze scientific evidence on care provided to women deprived of liberty during labor and childbirth. METHOD: A scoping review, developed in accordance with JBI methodology, whose information sources were accessed in databases and gray literature. Selection was carried out between October and December 2023, based on reading titles, abstracts and descriptors, considering the following eligibility criteria: articles, dissertations and theses with different methodological designs available in full, without language and time limitations. Analysis was conducted by two independent reviewers, using inductive content analysis. RESULTS: Fifteen studies were included. From the synthesis of results, two categories emerged: From the cell to the delivery room: care for women deprived of liberty; Experiences of women deprived of liberty during labor and childbirth. CONCLUSION: This study highlights the fragility of care practices during labor and childbirth, imposing significant challenges and resulting in adverse experiences that compromise the quality of motherhood and violate women's fundamental rights.

Food and fluid intake during labor in maternity wards: A scoping review protocol.

During the 1940s, aspiration of stomach contents was recognized as a serious problem during labor, which is why fluid and food restriction was adopted for women who would undergo general anesthesia. Currently, the practice of generalized food restriction is a routine that is being discontinued. This review aims to map the evidence on the effects of the intake of foods, supplements and drinks in women on labor outcomes. To that end, documents investigating this topic in pregnant women admitted for uncomplicated deliveries in maternity wards, published from 2013 onwards, will be assessed. This interval was defined based on the publication by Singata et al., who carried out a systematic review on the benefits and harms of oral fluid intake or food restriction during labor. The scoping review methods of the JBI and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Review (PRISMA) were followed. Firstly, a preliminary search was carried out to identify the existence of similar scoping reviews or protocols, as well as the keywords and MeSH descriptors in the titles and abstracts, with a view to developing a complete search strategy. Subsequently, a search will be carried out in the Cochrane Library, Medline/PubMed, Embase, SCOPUS and Web of Science databases. The search strategy will be adapted for each of these databases. Finally, a reverse search will be carried out using the references of the included studies. The obtained documents will be imported into Rayyan for duplicate detection and removal. Two independent reviewers will read the titles and abstracts, observing the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The data extraction from each included study will be carried out independently by two reviewers, using the extraction form created for this purpose. In order to report results, we will follow the PRISMA checklist and report descriptive statistics and a narrative summary.

[Association between disrespect and abuse during labor and the risk of postpartum depression: a cross-sectional study]. / Associação entre desrespeito e abuso durante o parto e o risco de depressão pós-parto: estudo transversal.

This study aimed to analyze the relationship between disrespect and abuse during labor and the risk of postpartum depression. This is a cross-sectional study carried out with women from the rural and urban areas of Caxias, Maranhão State, Brazil. Postpartum depression was considered the dependent variable, assessed using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale. The independent variables were sociodemographic characteristics, mental health history, behavioral aspects, obstetric characteristics and self-perception of disrespect and abuse during labor. Pearson's chi-square test and multiple logistic regression were used to assess the association between postpartum depression and disrespect and abuse during labor. A total of 190 women were interviewed. The prevalence of postpartum depression was 16.3%. The occurrence of at least one type of disrespect and abuse during labor was 97.4%, with health system conditions and restrictions predominating (94.7%). More than half of the women (66.3%) suffered two forms of disrespect and abuse during labor, while three or more forms were reported by 22.6%. Suffering two (adjustedOR = 3.01; 95%CI 1.08-8.33) and three or more forms of disrespect and abuse during labor (adjustedOR = 3.41; 95%CI: 1.68-24.40) increased the chance of postpartum depression. There was a significant association between disrespect and abuse during labor and postpartum depression, and dignified and respectful care for women during childbirth were found to reduce the risk of postpartum depression symptoms.

O objetivo deste estudo é analisar a relação entre desrespeito e abuso durante o parto e o risco de depressão pós-parto. Trata-se de estudo transversal, realizado com mulheres das zonas rural e urbana de Caxias, Maranhão, Brasil. Considerou-se a depressão pós-parto como variável dependente, avaliada pela Escala de Depressão Pós-Natal de Edimburgo. As variáveis independentes foram características sociodemográficas, antecedentes de saúde mental, aspectos comportamentais, características obstétricas e autopercepção do desrespeito e abuso durante o parto. Empregou-se o teste do qui-quadrado de Pearson e a regressão logística múltipla para avaliar a associação entre depressão pós-parto e desrespeito e abuso durante o parto. Foram entrevistadas 190 mulheres. A depressão pós-parto apresentou prevalência de 16,3%. A ocorrência de pelo menos um tipo de desrespeito e abuso durante o parto foi de 97,4%, com predomínio das condições do sistema de saúde e restrições (94,7%). Mais da metade das mulheres (66,3%) foram submetidas a dois tipos de desrespeito e abuso durante o parto, enquanto três ou mais formas foram relatadas por 22,6%. Sofrer duas (ORajustada = 3,01; IC95%: 1,08-8,33) e três ou mais formas de desrespeito e abuso durante o parto (ORajustada = 3,41; IC95%: 1,68-24,40) aumentou a chance da ocorrência de depressão pós-parto. Houve associação significativa entre desrespeito e abuso durante o parto e depressão pós-parto, e o atendimento digno e respeitoso às mulheres durante o parto pode reduzir os riscos da sintomatologia de depressão pós-parto.

El objetivo de este estudio fue analizar la relación entre la falta de respeto y el abuso durante el parto y el riesgo de depresión posparto. Se trata de un estudio transversal, realizado con mujeres de la zona rural y urbana de Caxias, Maranhão, Brasil. La depresión posparto fue considerada como una variable dependiente, evaluada por la Escala de Depresión Posnatal de Edimburgo. Las variables independientes fueron características sociodemográficas, antecedentes de salud mental, aspectos comportamentales, características obstétricas y autopercepción de falta de respeto y el abuso durante el parto. Se empleó la prueba de chi-cuadrado de Pearson y la regresión logística múltiple para evaluar la asociación entre depresión posparto y falta de respeto y el abuso durante el parto. Se entrevistó a 190 mujeres. La depresión posparto tuvo una prevalencia del 16,3%. La ocurrencia de al menos un tipo de falta de respeto y el abuso durante el parto fue del 97,4%, con predominio de las condiciones del sistema de salud y restricciones (94,7%). Más de la mitad de las mujeres (66,3%) padecieron dos tipos de falta de respeto y el abuso durante el parto, mientras que tres o más formas fueron referidas por el 22,6%. Sufrir dos (ORajustado = 3,01; IC95%: 1,08-8,33) y tres o más formas de falta de respeto y el abuso durante el parto (ORajustado = 3,41; IC95%: 1,68-24,40) aumentó la posibilidad de que se produjera depresión posparto. Hubo una asociación significativa entre falta de respeto y el abuso durante el parto y depresión posparto, y una atención digna y respetuosa a las mujeres durante el parto puede reducir los riesgos de los síntomas de depresión posparto.

Atención de parto respetado en Venezuela: fundamentos legales / Respected Childbirth Care in Venezuela: Legal Foundations

El parto humanizado es un modelo de atención que considera el respeto a las opiniones y necesidades de las mujeres y sus familias, e incluye la atención durante el embarazo, parto, puerperio y, por supuesto, la atención del recién nacido. En Venezuela, existe legislación suficiente que respalda la atención del parto humanizado o respetado, sin embargo, la misma no es conocida por gran parte del personal de salud involucrado en la atención obstétrica. Es necesario que tal legislación se conozca ampliamente y se aplique. La presente revisión se realizó con la intención de revisar los fundamentos legales que respaldan la atención del parto respetado(AU)

Humanized childbirth is a model of care that considers respect for the opinions and needs of women and their families, and includes care during pregnancy, childbirth, puerperium and, of course, newborn care. In Venezuela, there is sufficient legislation that supports humanized or respected childbirth care, however, it is not known by a large part of the health personnel involved in obstetric care. Such legislation needs to be widely known and implemented. This review was conducted with the intention of reviewing the legal foundations that support respected childbirth care(AU)

Volvamos al parto humanizado / Let's go back to humanized childbirth

Actualmente, en la mayoría de los países, el parto se ha transformado en una práctica patológica requiriendo un seguimiento institucionalizado y conllevando acciones de violencia obstétrica sobre la mujer. El parto humanizado es un modelo de atención que considera las opiniones, necesidades y valoraciones emocionales de las mujeres y sus familias en los procesos de atención del embarazo, parto y puerperio. En el presente se describe el parto humanizado, historia, importancia, recomendaciones y beneficios para la familia gestante, así como la violencia obstétrica, priorizando la humanización y creando condiciones para que se cumplan las dimensiones espirituales, psicológicas y biológicas del ser humano. Se seleccionaron 12 artículos de investigación, siendo el español el idioma de mayor publicación. El modelo de parto humanizado incluye todo el proceso, desde el embarazo hasta el puerperio tardío, genera un impacto muy importante en el recién nacido y su desarrollo futuro(AU)

Currently, in most countries, childbirth has become a pathological practice, requiring institutionalized followup and leading to actions of obstetric violence against women. Humanized childbirth is a model of care that considers the opinions, needs and emotional evaluations of women and their families in the processes of pregnancy, childbirth and puerperium care. This paper describes humanized childbirth, history, importance, recommendations and benefits for the pregnant family, as well as obstetric violence, prioritizing humanization and creating conditions for the spiritual, psychological and biological dimensions of the human being to be fulfilled. 12 research articles were selected, with Spanish being the language with the most publications. The humanized birth model includes the entire process, from pregnancy to the late puerperium, it generates a very important impact on the newborn and its future development(AU)

Effects of different anesthesia methods on labor process and postpartum serum estrogen and progesterone levels in primiparas with painless labor.

OBJECTIVE: To look into the effects of different anesthesia methods on the labor process and the expression of serum estrogen and progesterone in primiparas with painless labor. METHODS: 60 primiparas receiving painless labor were selected as the research objects, and they were divided into either a Spinal & Continuous epidural anesthesia group (n = 30) or a continuous epidural anesthesia group (n = 30), anesthesia is administered using the corresponding anesthesia method. The authors compared serum estrogen and progesterone, inflammatory index expression, pain degree and neonatal health status in different periods. RESULTS: At T2 and T3, serum P, LH, FSH and E2 levels in the Spinal & Continuous epidural anesthesia group were signally lower than those in the Spinal & Continuous epidural anesthesia group (p < 0.05). Spinal & Continuous epidural anesthesia group harbored faster onset and longer duration of sensory block and motor block than the Continuous epidural anesthesia group (p < 0.05). SAS and SDS scores of the Spinal & Continuous epidural anesthesia group were clearly lower than those of the Continuous epidural anesthesia group (p < 0.05). VAS score and serum TNF-α, IL-6 levels of pregnant women in the Spinal & Continuous epidural anesthesia group were memorably lower than those in the Continuous epidural anesthesia group at T2 and T3 (p < 0.05). The total incidence of postoperative complications in the Spinal & Continuous epidural anesthesia group was distinctively lower than that in the Continuous epidural anesthesia group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Spinal anesthesia combined with continuous epidural anesthesia has a better anesthesia effect in the painless labor of primiparas, which can effectually ameliorate the labor process and the expression of serum estrogen and progesterone.

A new effect of intravenous iron treatment in pregnancy: contraction in nonstress test and timing of labor.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to elucidate the cause and results of contractions occurring in term pregnant women receiving intravenous iron therapy. METHODS: During 2019-2020, 136 pregnant women beyond 35 weeks of gestation, who received intravenous iron treatment due to iron deficiency anemia, were included through retrospective screening. Iron deficiency anemia was defined as having hemoglobin levels <10 g/dL and ferritin levels <15 ng/mL, and the pregnant women underwent nonstress test before and after treatment. RESULTS: The average treatment week for the pregnant women was 36.82±0.74, and the presence of regular contractions in post-treatment follow-up nonstress tests was 72.1% (n=98). The average week of birth was 38.48±1.60. Pregnant women with contractions who had previous cesarean were found to have a mean delivery week of 36.82±0.67, which was statistically significant earlier than for nulliparous and multiparous women (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: In pregnant women with iron deficiency anemia who were beyond 35 weeks, temporary regular contractions may be observed in the nonstress test following intravenous iron replacement. We think that this effect may lead to early term birth in pregnant women with a history of cesarean section. It needs to be confirmed by further prospective studies and animal studies.

Clinical algorithms for the monitoring and management of spontaneous, uncomplicated labour and childbirth.

AIM: To develop evidence-based clinical algorithms for the assessment and management of spontaneous, uncomplicated labour and vaginal birth. POPULATION: Pregnant women at any stage of labour, with singleton, term pregnancies considered to be at low risk of developing complications. SETTING: Health facilities in low- and middle-income countries. SEARCH STRATEGY: We searched for relevant published algorithms, guidelines, systematic reviews and primary research studies on Cochrane Library, PubMed, and Google on terms related to spontaneous, uncomplicated labour and childbirth up to 01 June 2023. CASE SCENARIOS: Three case scenarios were developed to cover assessments and management for spontaneous, uncomplicated first, second and third stage of labour. The algorithms provide pathways for definition, assessments, diagnosis, and links to other algorithms in this series for management of complications. CONCLUSIONS: We have developed three clinical algorithms to support evidence-based decision making during spontaneous, uncomplicated labour and vaginal birth. These algorithms may help guide health care staff to institute respectful care, appropriate interventions where needed, and potentially reduce the unnecessary use of interventions during labour and childbirth.

Influence of non-pharmacological methods on duration of labor: a systematic review.

The article aims to verify the influence of MNFs on the duration of the birth process. A systematic review was carried out in the MEDLINE, Web of Science and LILACS databases, through a combination of terms that cover the topic addressed, from 1996 to 2021/April. The Excel spreadsheet was used to collect data to extract information regarding each selected article, in turn, data analysis included the evaluation and classification of quality, reliability and risk of bias, thus, the following tools were used: Cochrane RoB 2, Checklist and Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Warm bath, walking, exercises with a birthing ball, breathing techniques, supine position, acupuncture, acupressure and water birth reduced labor time. While spontaneous pushing, massage and immersion baths prolonged labor. Non-pharmacological methods capable of reducing the duration of labor were hot/warm shower, walking, birth ball exercises, breathing techniques, maternal mobility, dorsal position, acupuncture, acupressure and water birth, as well. associated applied techniques such as hot/warm bath, ball exercises and lumbosacral massage, as well as immersion bath, ball exercises, aromatherapy, vertical postures and maternal mobility with alternating vertical postures, shortened the birth time.

Impact of doula's continuous support on serotonin release in parturients: a pilot randomized clinical trial.

Objective: To evaluate whether the continuous support provided by doulas influences the endogenous release of serotonin in parturients. Methods: This pilot study included 24 primigravidae at term. Of these, 12 women received continuous doula support (Experimental Group), whereas the other 12 received the usual assistance without doula support (Control Group). Blood samples were collected from all the women at the active and expulsion stages of labor and at the fourth period of labor (Greenberg period) for evaluation of their serotonin levels using high-performance liquid chromatography. Results: The average serotonin concentrations in the control and experimental groups were respectively 159.33 and 150.02 ng/mL at the active stage, 179.13 and 162.65 ng/mL at the expulsion stage, and 198.94 and 221.21 ng/mL at the Greenberg period. There were no statistically significant differences in serotonin concentrations between the two groups at the active and expulsion stages of labor. By contrast, within the experimental group, a significant increase in serotonin concentration was observed in the Greenberg period compared with the levels in the active and expulsion stages (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The novelty of this study relies on the ability to correlate the influence of the continuous support offered by doulas with the release of serotonin in parturients, with the results suggesting that the assistance received during labor can modulate the levels of hormone release in the Greenberg period. Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials: RBR-4zjjm4h.

Protocol of Birth in Brazil II: National Research on Abortion, Labor and Childbirth. / Protocolo do Nascer no Brasil II: Pesquisa Nacional sobre Aborto, Parto e Nascimento.

Brazil has made advances in obstetric care in public and private hospitals; however, weaknesses in this system still require attention. The Brazilian Ministry of Health, aware of this need, funded the second version of the Birth in Brazil survey. This study aimed to evaluate: prenatal, labor and birth, postpartum, and abortion care, comparing the results with those of Birth in Brazil I; and analyze the main determinants of perinatal morbidity and mortality; evaluate the care structure and processes of obstetrics and neonatology services in maternity hospitals; analyze the knowledge, practices, and attitudes of health professionals who provide birth and abortion care; and identify the main barriers and facilitators related to care of this nature in Brazil. With a national scope and a 2-stage probability sample: 1-hospitals and 2-women, stratified into 59 strata, 465 hospitals were selected with a total planned sample of around 24,255 women - 2,205 for abortion reasons and 22,050 for labor reasons. Data collection was conducted using six electronic instruments during hospital admission for labor or abortion, with two follow-up waves, at two and four months. In order to expand the number of cases of severe maternal morbidity, maternal and perinatal mortality, three case control studies were incorporated into Birth in Brazil II. The fieldwork began in November 2021 and is scheduled to end in 2023. It will allow a comparison between current labor and birth care results and those obtained in the first study and will evaluate the advances achieved in 10 years.

Com o passar do tempo, o Brasil vem apresentando avanços na assistência obstétrica em hospitais públicos e privados; no entanto, ainda existem pontos frágeis que necessitam de atenção. O Ministério da Saúde, ciente dessa necessidade, financiou a segunda versão da pesquisa Nascer no Brasil. Os objetivos gerais são: avaliar a assistência pré-natal, ao parto e nascimento, ao puerpério e ao aborto, comparando com os resultados do Nascer no Brasil I, e analisar os principais determinantes da morbimortalidade perinatal; avaliar a estrutura e processos assistenciais dos serviços de obstetrícia e neonatologia das maternidades; analisar os conhecimentos, atitudes e práticas de profissionais de saúde que prestam assistência ao parto e ao aborto; e identificar as principais barreiras e facilitadores para essa assistência no país. Com escopo nacional e amostra probabilística em dois estágios (1-hospitais e 2-mulheres), dividida em 59 estratos, foram selecionados 465 hospitais com total planejado de, aproximadamente, 24.255 mulheres, 2.205 por motivo de aborto e 22.050 por motivo de parto. A coleta de dados, realizada por meio de seis instrumentos eletrônicos, ocorre durante a internação hospitalar para o parto ou aborto, com duas ondas de seguimento, aos dois e quatro meses. Com o intuito de expandir o número de casos de morbidade materna grave, mortalidade materna e perinatal, três estudos caso controle foram incorporados ao Nascer no Brasil II. O trabalho de campo foi iniciado em novembro de 2021 com término previsto para 2023. Os resultados permitirão comparar a atenção atual ao parto e ao nascimento com a retratada no primeiro inquérito e, com isso, avaliar os avanços alcançados no decorrer desses 10 anos.

Aunque Brasil ha presentado avances en la atención obstétrica en hospitales públicos y privados, todavía hay puntos débiles que necesitan atención. El Ministerio de Salud, consciente de esta necesidad, financió la segunda versión de la encuesta Nacer en Brasil. Los objetivos generales son: evaluar la atención prenatal, el parto y el nacimiento, el puerperio y el aborto, comparando con los resultados del Nacer en Brasil I, y analizar los principales determinantes de la morbimortalidad perinatal; evaluar la estructura y los procesos de atención de los servicios de obstetricia y neonatología en las maternidades; analizar los conocimientos, prácticas y actitudes de los profesionales de la salud que brindan atención para el parto y el aborto; e identificar las principales barreras y facilitadores para esta atención en el país. Tiene un alcance nacional y muestra probabilística en dos etapas (1-hospitales y 2-mujeres), la cual se dividió en 59 estratos; y se seleccionaron 465 hospitales con un total planificado de aproximadamente 24.255 mujeres, de las cuales 2.205 tuvieron procedimientos por aborto y 22.050 por parto. Para la recolección de datos se aplicó seis instrumentos electrónicos, que se realizó durante la hospitalización por parto o aborto, con dos rondas de seguimiento, a los dos y cuatro meses. Con el fin de ampliar el número de casos de morbilidad materna grave, mortalidad materna y perinatal, se incorporaron tres estudios de casos y controles en Nacer en Brasil II. El trabajo de campo comenzó en noviembre de 2021 y finalizará en 2023. Los resultados nos permitirán evaluar la atención al parto y al nacimiento actual con lo que se retrató en la primera encuesta, de esta manera se podrá evaluar los avances alcanzados a lo largo de estos 10 años.

Incorporation, adaptation and rejection of obstetric practices during the implementation of the "Adequate Childbirth Program" in Brazilian private hospitals: a qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: The "Adequate Childbirth Program" (PPA) is a quality improvement project that aims to reduce the high rates of unnecessary cesarean section in Brazilian private hospitals. This study aimed to analyze labor and childbirth care practices after the first phase of PPA implementation. METHOD: This study uses a qualitative approach. Eight hospitals were selected. At each hospital, during the period of 5 (five) days, from July to October 2017, the research team conducted face to face interviews with doctors (n = 21) and nurses (n = 28), using semi-structured scripts. For the selection of professionals, the Snowball technique was used. The interviews were transcribed, and the data submitted to Thematic Content Analysis, using the MaxQda software. RESULTS: The three analytical dimensions of the process of change in the care model: (1) Incorporation of care practices: understood as the practices that have been included since PPA implementation; (2) Adaptation of care practices: understood as practices carried out prior to PPA implementation, but which underwent modifications with the implementation of the project; (3) Rejection of care practices: understood as those practices that were abandoned or questioned whether or not they should be carried out by hospital professionals. CONCLUSIONS: After the PPA, changes were made in hospitals and in the way, women were treated. Birth planning, prenatal hospital visits led by experts (for expecting mothers and their families), diet during labor, pharmacological analgesia for vaginal delivery, skin-to-skin contact, and breastfeeding in the first hour of life are all included. To better monitor labor and vaginal birth and to reduce CS without a clinical justification, hospitals adjusted their present practices. Finally, the professionals rejected the Kristeller maneuver since research has demonstrated that using it's harmful.

Brazil has high Cesarean Section (CS) rates, with rates far from the ideal recommended by the World Health Organization and a model of care that does not favor women's autonomy and empowerment. In 2015, a quality improvement project, called "Projeto Parto Adequado" (PPA), was implemented in Brazilian private hospitals to reduce unnecessary cesarean section, in addition to encouraging the process of natural and safe childbirth. One of the components of this project was to reorganize the model of care in hospitals to prepare professionals for humanized and safe care. The data were collected in 8 hospitals with interviews with 49 professionals, approximately two years after the beginning of the project in the hospitals. There were changes in the hospital routine and in the care of women after the project. The professionals incorporated practices such as skin-to-skin contact and breastfeeding; diet during labor; non-invasive care technologies, especially to relieve pain during labor; birth plan; pregnancy courses with guided tours in hospitals (for pregnant women and family); and analgesia for vaginal labor. There was adaptation of existing practices in hospitals to reduce CS that had no clinical indication; better monitoring of labor, favoring vaginal delivery. And finally, the professionals rejected the practice that presses the uterine fundus, for not having shown efficacy in recent studies. We can conclude that the hospitals that participated in this study have made an effort to change their obstetric model. However, specific aspects of each hospital, the organization of the health system in Brazil, and the incentive of the local administration influenced the implementation of these changes by professionals in practice.

Partos verticalizados e ocorrência de lacerações perineais em casa de parto do Distrito Federal / Vertical births and occurrence of perineal lacerations in a birth center in the Federal District

Comparar as distintas posições verticalizadas adotadas por parturientes durante o trabalho de parto, associando à ocorrência de possíveis lacerações perineais e seus respectivos graus. Metodologia: Trata-se de um estudo epidemiológico, observacional, descritivo, transversal, retrospectivo, de abordagem quantitativa. O estudo foi realizado na Casa de Parto de São Sebastião, localizada no Distrito Federal, a qual contou com uma amostra aleatória de 499 mulheres, que tiveram seus partos no período de janeiro de 2018 a dezembro de 2021. Resultados: O estudo apontou que 354 mulheres adotaram posições verticalizadas durante o período expulsivo e 249 obtiveram algum grau de laceração; já 145 adotaram posições não verticalizadas e 74 tiveram algum grau de laceração. Entre as posições verticalizadas, a mais adotada foi com o uso da banqueta de parto (37%). Conclusão: As posições verticalizadas estão associadas ao maior número de lacerações, porém o grau da laceração varia entre as posições.(AU)

To compare the different upright positions adopted by parturients during labor, associating them with the occurrence of possible perineal lacerations and their respective degrees. Methodology: This is an epidemiological, observational, descriptive, cross-sectional, retrospective study with a quantitative approach. The study was carried out at the Casa de Parto de São Sebastião, located in the Federal District, which had a random sample of 499 women who gave birth between January 2018 and December 2021. Results: The study found that 354 women adopted upright positions during the expulsive period and 249 had some degree of laceration; 145 adopted non-upright positions and 74 had some degree of laceration. Among the upright positions, the most commonly adopted was the use of the birthing stool (37%). Conclusion: Upright positions are associated with a higher number of lacerations, but the degree of laceration varies between positions.(AU)

Comparar las diferentes posiciones erguidas adoptadas por las parturientas durante el trabajo de parto, asociándolas con la ocurrencia de posibles laceraciones perineales y sus respectivos grados. Metodología: Se trata de un estudio epidemiológico, observacional, descriptivo, transversal, retrospectivo y con abordaje cuantitativo. El estudio se realizó en la Casa de Parto de São Sebastião, ubicada en el Distrito Federal, que contó con una muestra aleatoria de 499 mujeres que dieron a luz entre enero de 2018 y diciembre de 2021. Resultados: El estudio encontró que 354 mujeres adoptaron posiciones erguidas durante el período expulsivo y 249 tuvieron algún grado de laceración; 145 adoptaron posiciones no erguidas y 74 tuvieron algún grado de laceración. Entre las posturas erguidas, la más adoptada fue el uso del taburete de parto (37%). Conclusión: Las posiciones verticales se asocian con el mayor número de laceraciones, pero el grado de laceración varía entre las posiciones.(AU)

Experiences of women with physical disabilities in labor and delivery assistance.

OBJECTIVE: To understand the meaning attributed by women with physical disabilities to the health care received and expected during labor and delivery. METHODS: Qualitative study, based on Social Network Theory, conducted through an online workshop in April 2022, with the participation of six women with physical disabilities. Data, collected through the focus group technique, underwent thematic content analysis with the assistance of the IRaMuTeQ tool. RESULTS: Three thematic categories emerged: Challenges experienced during pregnancy; The experience within the maternity ward; and, The importance of social networks. The assistance provided by healthcare professionals sometimes differed between what was expected and what was received by women with physical disabilities during labor and delivery. FINAL CONSIDERATIONS: Experiences were predominantly negative, resulting from inappropriate professional conduct due to ableist attitudes. Support from members of social networks is crucial for preventing stressors.

Evaluation of Leukocyte Chemotaxis Induced by Human Fetal Membranes in an In Vitro Model.

Leukocyte infiltration into the maternal-fetal interface is a consequence of the robust inflammation in the gestational tissues during term labor and preterm labor with or without infection. During pregnancy, the fetal membranes act as a physical barrier that isolates the fetus into the amniotic cavity, keeping it in an optimal environment for its development. In addition, the fetal membranes possess immunological competencies such as the secretion of cytokines and chemokines in response to different stimuli. Clinical and experimental evidence indicates that these tissues are involved in the extensive chemotaxis of immune cells in normal or pathological conditions.Few studies have evaluated the chemotactic capacities of the fetal membranes considering that this tissue is composed of two adjacent tissues, the amnion and the chorion, which have different characteristics. Although these tissues function as a unit, their response is complex since there is an interaction between them, where each tissue contributes differently. The protocol described here allows us to evaluate the in vitro chemotactic capacities of fetal membranes in response to various applied stimuli, considering the contribution of each of their components (amnion and choriodecidua) using a Boyden chamber assay and phenotyping the chemo-attracted leukocytes by flow cytometry.

Methods of induction and augmentation of labor in a freestanding birth center: a cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: To describe and analyze the use of methods of induction and augmentation of labor in a freestanding birth center (FBC). METHOD: Cross-sectional study carried out at a FBC located in São Paulo (SP), with all women booked from 2011 to 2021 (n = 3,397). RESULTS: The majority of women (61.3%) did not receive any method. The methods were used alone or in combination (traditional Chinese medicine, massage, castor oil, stimulating tea, amniotomy, and oxytocin). Traditional Chinese medicine (acupuncture, acupressure, and moxa) was the most used method (14.7%) and oxytocin was the least frequent (5.1%). The longer the water breaking time, the greater the number of methods used (p < 0.001). Amniotomy was associated with maternal transfers (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Induction and augmentation of labor were strictly adopted. The use of natural or non-pharmacological methods prevailed. Robust clinical studies are needed to prove the effectiveness of non-pharmacological methods of stimulation of childbirth, in addition to strategies for their implementation in other childbirth care services, to really prove the effectiveness of non-pharmacological methods in the parturition process, that is, in labor and birth.

Chilean midwives' experiences while providing induced abortion care after the enactment of a law decriminalising abortion.

INTRODUCTION: The recent change in Chilean legislation towards abortion enabled midwives to include the care of women having an induced abortion within their scope of practice. However, midwives' identity could be strained by induced abortion care provision as it is contrary to midwives' traditional role. Considering this, the aim of the study was to elucidate how Chilean midwives understand and provide abortion care. METHODS: A constructivist grounded theory study was conducted using online semi-structured in-depth interviews. Midwives were purposively sampled considering maximum variation criteria and then theoretical sampling occurred. Saturation was achieved with fifteen interviews. Interviews were conducted in Spanish and then translated into English. Constant comparison analysis generated categories. Data were managed using NVivo 12. All interviewees provided their consent to be part of this study. RESULTS: This article reports on the experiences of nine midwives who had provided lawful induced abortion care in Chile. The experiences of these midwives were grouped into two major categories: 'Defining a position towards abortion' and 'Abortion care is emotional labour'. CONCLUSION: Midwives can successfully provide abortion care despite being challenged by certain areas of it. Considering the high demand for emotional labour in abortion care, efforts should be made to increase midwives' emotional self-regulation skills. Likewise, organisations should strengthen and implement their offer of well-being and emotional self-care support to midwives.

Immigrant women's experience of labor and birth.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the childbirth experience of immigrant women in maternity hospitals in southern Brazil. METHOD: Descriptive, qualitative study, Hybrid Thematic Oral History method, in two public maternity hospitals in Curitiba-PR; semi-structured interviews collected from March to December 2020. Analysis followed the proposed method. RESULTS: The seven interviewees - collaborators immigrated from Venezuela, Haiti and Tunisia. Relevant themes emerged: 1) Surprises and feelings during the childbirth process, pointing out preferences, unexpected birth outcomes, factors related to the higher incidence of C-section and descriptions of sensations and feelings; 2) The care perceived by women and memories of experiences in the country of origin, with reports of previous childbirth experience, difficulties in the current childbirth and perceptions of the care received. CONCLUSION: The childbirth process was experienced with expectation, accessing feelings and memories. The positive childbirth experience was favored by team care, participation in decision-making, well-informed prenatal care, bonding with the care team, effective communication and evidence-based obstetric practices. Challenges were perceived regarding cultural sensitivity in care.

Exhausting care: On the collateral realities of caring in the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic.

We explore care as a site of multiplicity and tension. Working with the qualitative interview accounts of nineteen health care workers in Colombia, we trace a narrative of 'exhausting care' in the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic. Accounts relate exhausting care to working without break in response to extraordinary demand, heightened contagion concern, the pressures of caring in the face of anticipated death, and efforts to carry on caring in the face of constraint. We bring together the work of John Law (2010, 2011) on 'collateral realities' with Lauren Berlant's (2011) thesis of 'cruel optimism' to explore care as a site of practice in which the promise of the good can also become materialised as harm, given structural conditions. Through the reflexive narrative of 'carrying on' in the face of being 'worn down' by care, a narrative which runs through health care worker accounts, we draw attention to the collateral realities of exhausting care as personal and political, at once a practice of endurance and extraction. We argue that the exhausting care that relates to the extraordinariness of the Covid-19 pandemic also resides in the ordinariness, and slower violence, of the everyday. The cruel optimism of care is a relation in which the labour of care reproduces a harmful situation.