The first alongside midwifery unit in Spain: A retrospective cohort study of maternal and neonatal outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Midwife-led units have been shown to be safer and reduce interventions for women at low risk of complications at birth. In 2017, the first alongside birth center was opened in Spain. The aim of this study was to compare outcomes for women with uncomplicated pregnancies giving birth in the Midwife-led unit (MLU) and in the Obstetric unit (OU) of the same hospital. METHODS: Retrospective cohort study comparing birth outcomes between low-risk women, depending on their planned place of birth. Data were analyzed with an intention-to-treat approach for women that gave birth between January 2018 and December 2020. RESULTS: A total of 878 women were included in the study, 255 women chose to give birth in the MLU and 623 in the OU. Findings showed that women in the MLU were more likely to have a vaginal birth (91.4%) than in the OU (83.8%) (aOR 2.98 [95%CI 1.62-5.47]), less likely to have an instrumental delivery, 3.9% versus 11.2% (0.25 [0.11-0.55]), to use epidural analgesia, 19.6% versus 77.9% (0.15 [0.04-0.17]) and to have an episiotomy, 7.4% versus 15.4% (0.27 [0.14-0.53]). There were no differences in rates of postpartum hemorrhage, retained placenta, or adverse neonatal outcomes. Intrapartum and postpartum transfer rates from the MLU to the OU were 21.1% and 2.4%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The high rate of obstetric interventions in Spain could be reduced by implementing midwife-led units across the whole system, without an increase in maternal or neonatal complications.

Systematic review of ethical issues in perinatal mental health research.

BACKGROUND: Maternal mental health during the peripartum period is critically important to the wellbeing of mothers and their infants. Numerous studies and clinical trials have focused on various aspects of interventions and treatments for perinatal mental health from the perspective of researchers and medical health professionals. However, less is known about women's experiences of participating in perinatal mental health research, and the ethical issues that arise. AIM: To systematically review the literature on the ethical issues that emerge from pregnant and/or postpartum women's experiences of taking part in perinatal mental health-related research. METHODS: Systematic review of nine bibliographic databases, from inception to July 2021. Qualitative, quantitative and mixed method studies were included if they reported on ethical issues experienced by perinatal women. Research ethical issues encompassed any issue relating to women's experiences of being offered study information, recruitment, consent, retention and respect for autonomy.Titles, abstracts and full text screening, appraisal of the methodological quality of included studies, and data extraction, were conducted independently by two reviewers. ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS: Ethical approval was not required for this systematic review. FINDINGS: A total of 9830 unique citations was retrieved. Six studies met the inclusion criteria. Studies were clinically and methodologically heterogenous, and only one was purposively designed to explore women's experiences. The key finding was the establishment of trust between the researcher and participant in all stages of the research process. Findings are presented according to recruitment and consent processes, participation and retention, and study follow-up and completion. CONCLUSION: The establishment of trust between the researcher and perinatal women leads to a dynamic with research ethical implications relevant to all stages of perinatal mental health-related research. Further research on the research ethical issues experienced by perinatal women is required because of the limited literature.

Women's agenda for the improvement of childbirth care: Evaluation of the Babies Born Better survey data set in Spain.

BACKGROUND: Public patient involvement (PPI) generates knowledge about the health-illness process through the incorporation of people's experiences and priorities. The Babies Born Better (BBB) survey is a pan-European online questionnaire that can be used as a PPI tool for preliminary and consultative forms of citizens' involvement. The purpose of this research was to identify which practices support positive birth experiences and which ones women want changed. METHODS: The BBB survey was distributed in virtual communities of practice and through social networks. The version launched in Spain was used to collect data in 2014 and 2015 from women who had given birth in the previous 5 years. A descriptive, quantitative analysis was applied to the sociodemographic data. Two open-ended questions were analyzed by qualitative content analysis using a deductive and inductive codification process. RESULTS: A total of 2841 women participated. 41.1% of the responses concerned the category "Care received and experienced," followed by "Specific interventions and procedures" (26.6%), "Involved members of care team" (14.2%), and "Environmental conditions" (9%). Best practices were related to how care is provided and received, and the main areas for improvement referred to specific interventions and procedures. CONCLUSIONS: This survey proved a useful tool to map the best and poorest practices reported. The results suggest a need for improvement in some areas of childbirth care. Women's reports on negative experiences included a wide range of routine clinical interventions, avoidable procedures, and the influence exerted by professionals on their decision-making.

"Just a little help": A qualitative inquiry into the persistent use of uterine fundal pressure in the second stage of labor in Spain.

INTRODUCTION: Uterine fundal pressure, or the Kristeller maneuver (KM), is a non-evidence-based procedure used in the second stage of labor to physically force the fetus to delivery. Even though officially banned, the KM is practiced in 25% of vaginal deliveries in Spain. METHODS: Using semi-structured interviews (N = 10 women, N = 15 midwives, N = 3 obstetricians), we sought to understand how providers justify using the KM, and to describe the current circumstances in which the KM is practiced. Women described their preexisting knowledge of and experiences with the KM; providers described how they learned and practiced the KM. We used framework analysis to analyze the transcripts, and we consensus-coded across three independent investigators. RESULTS: Providers reported practicing a new, gentler Kristeller to which official policy did not apply. Providers knew the KM posed risks, but they assumed the risks resulted from poor technical training. Providers did not learn the KM through standard means, and they practiced it in secret. Women knew about the KM before delivery, and many had planned to refuse the procedure. Providers made women's refusal more difficult by offering the KM in coded terms as "just a little help." Women did not experience the KM as gentle, and the force of the procedure made their refusal nearly impossible. CONCLUSIONS: The normal birth policy has failed to achieve its objectives due to maternity care providers' unique logic surrounding a new KM technique. Women's ability to refuse the Kristeller is limited.

MAMI: a birth cohort focused on maternal-infant microbiota during early life.

BACKGROUND: Early microbial colonization is a relevant aspect in human health. Altered microbial colonization patterns have been linked to an increased risk of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Advances in understanding host-microbe interactions highlight the pivotal role of maternal microbiota on infant health programming. This birth cohort is aimed to characterize the maternal microbes transferred to neonates during the first 1000 days of life, as well as to identify the potential host and environmental factors, such as gestational age, mode of delivery, maternal/infant diet, and exposure to antibiotics, which affect early microbial colonization. METHODS: MAMI is a prospective mother-infant birth cohort in the Spanish-Mediterranean area. Mothers were enrolled at the end of pregnancy and families were follow-up during the first years of life. Maternal-infant biological samples were collected at several time points from birth to 24 months of life. Clinical and anthropometric characteristics and dietary information is available. Specific qPCR and 16S rRNA gene sequencing as well as short chain fatty acid (SCFAs) profile would be obtained. Multivariable models will be used to identy associations between microbiota and clinical and anthropometric data controlling for confounders. MAMI would contribute to a better understanding of the interaction between diet, microbiota and host response in early life health programming, enabling new applications in the field of personalized nutrition and medicine. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The study is registered on the ClinicalTrial.gov platform NCT03552939. (June 12, 2018).

Assessing the performance of maternity care in Europe: a critical exploration of tools and indicators.

BACKGROUND: This paper critically reviews published tools and indicators currently used to measure maternity care performance within Europe, focusing particularly on whether and how current approaches enable systematic appraisal of processes of minimal (or non-) intervention in support of physiological or "normal birth". The work formed part of COST Actions IS0907: "Childbirth Cultures, Concerns, and Consequences: Creating a dynamic EU framework for optimal maternity care" (2011-2014) and IS1405: Building Intrapartum Research Through Health - an interdisciplinary whole system approach to understanding and contextualising physiological labour and birth (BIRTH) (2014-). The Actions included the sharing of country experiences with the aim of promoting salutogenic approaches to maternity care. METHODS: A structured literature search was conducted of material published between 2005 and 2013, incorporating research databases, published documents in english in peer-reviewed international journals and indicator databases which measured aspects of health care at a national and pan-national level. Given its emergence from two COST Actions the work, inevitably, focused on Europe, but findings may be relevant to other countries and regions. RESULTS: A total of 388 indicators were identified, as well as seven tools specifically designed for capturing aspects of maternity care. Intrapartum care was the most frequently measured feature, through the application of process and outcome indicators. Postnatal and neonatal care of mother and baby were the least appraised areas. An over-riding focus on the quantification of technical intervention and adverse or undesirable outcomes was identified. Vaginal birth (no instruments) was occasionally cited as an indicator; besides this measurement few of the 388 indicators were found to be assessing non-intervention or "good" or positive outcomes more generally. CONCLUSIONS: The tools and indicators identified largely enable measurement of technical interventions and undesirable health (or pathological medical) outcomes. A physiological birth generally necessitates few, or no, interventions, yet most of the indicators presently applied fail to capture (a) this phenomenon, and (b) the relationship between different forms and processes of care, mode of birth and good or positive outcomes. A need was identified for indicators which capture non-intervention, reflecting the reality that most births are low-risk, requiring few, if any, technical medical procedures.

Cross-sectional study comparing public and private hospitals in Catalonia: is the practice of routine episiotomy changing?

BACKGROUND: In Spain, the Strategy for Assistance in Normal Childbirth (SANC) promoted a model of care, which respects the physiological birth process and discards unnecessary routine interventions, such as episiotomies. We evaluated the rate of episiotomy use and perineal trauma as indicators of how selective introduction of the SANC initiative has impacted childbirth outcomes in hospitals of Catalonia. METHODS: Cross-sectional study of all singleton vaginal term deliveries without instrument registered in the Minimum Basic Data Set (MBDS) of Catalonia in 2007, 2010 and 2012. Hospitals were divided into types according to funding (public or private), and four strata were differentiated according to volume of births attended. Episiotomies and perineal injury were considered dependent variables. The relationship between qualitative variables was analysed using the chi-squared test, and Student's t-test was used for quantitative variables. Comparison of proportions was performed on the two hospital groups between 2007 and 2012 using a Z-test. Logistic regression models were used to analyse the relationship between episiotomy or severe perineal damage and maternal age, volume of births and hospital type, obtaining odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). RESULTS: The majority of normal singleton term deliveries were attended in public hospitals, where maternal age was lower than for women attended in private hospitals. Analysis revealed a statistically significant (P < 0.001) decreasing trend in episiotomy use in Catalonia for both hospital types. Private hospitals appeared to be associated with increased episiotomy rate in 2007 (OR = 1.099, CI: 1,057-1,142), 2010 (OR = 1.528, CI: 1,472-1,587) and 2012 (OR = 1.459, CI: 1,383-1,540), and a lower rate of severe perineal trauma in 2007 (OR = 0.164, CI: 0.095-0.283), 2010 (OR = 0.16, CI: 0.110-0.232) and 2012 (OR = 0.19, CI: 0.107-0.336). Regarding severe perineal injury, when independent variables were adjusted, maternal age ceased to have a significant correlation in 2012 (OR = 0.994, CI: 0.970-1.018). CONCLUSIONS: Episiotomy procedures during normal singleton vaginal term deliveries in Catalonia has decreased steadily since 2007. Study results show a stable incidence trend below 1% for severe perineal trauma over the study period.

Obstetric interventions in two groups of hospitals in Catalonia: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Childbirth assistance in highly technological settings and existing variability in the interventions performed are cause for concern. In recent years, numerous recommendations have been made concerning the importance of the physiological process during birth. In Spain and Catalonia, work has been carried out to implement evidence-based practices for childbirth and to reduce unnecessary interventions.To identify obstetric intervention rates among all births, determine whether there are differences in interventions among full-term single births taking place in different hospitals according to type of funding and volume of births attended to, and to ascertain whether there is an association between caesarean section or instrumental birth rates and type of funding, the volume of births attended to and women's age. METHODS: Cross-sectional study, taking the hospital as the unit of analysis, obstetric interventions as dependent variables, and type of funding, volume of births attended to and maternal age as explanatory variables. The analysis was performed in three phases considering all births reported in the MBDS Catalonia 2011 (7,8570 births), full-term single births and births coded as normal. RESULTS: The overall caesarean section rate in Catalonia is 27.55% (CI 27.23 to 27.86). There is a significant difference in caesarean section rates between public and private hospitals in all strata. Both public and private hospitals with a lower volume of births have higher obstetric intervention rates than other hospitals (49.43%, CI 48.04 to 50.81). CONCLUSIONS: In hospitals in Catalonia, both the type of funding and volume of births attended to have a significant effect on the incidence of caesarean section, and type of funding is associated with the use of instruments during delivery.

Perineal massage and warm compresses-Implementation study of a complex intervention in health.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the effect of using tailored and multifaceted strategies on the acceptability, appropriateness, feasibility and adoption of a perineal massage and warm compress intervention by midwives in a maternity ward of a tertiary hospital in Portugal. METHODS: The complex intervention in health was developed based on the Medical Research Council framework and guided by the Theory of Change. Tailored and multifaceted strategies, including dissemination, integration and implementing process strategies, were applied. A mixed-methods approach was adopted, with a combination of qualitative (semi-open interviews) and quantitative (surveys, audits and electronic health records) methods. Surveys were applied to assess the acceptability, appropriateness and feasibility of the intervention. In order to evaluate adoption of the intervention, data from interviews were introduced into NVivo Version 10 to perform thematic analysis, and each audit checklist criterion was analysed using McNemar's exact test to determine differences in paired proportion. RESULTS: This study found high acceptability (mean±standard deviation 4.28±0.45), high appropriateness (4.32±0.47) and high feasibility (4.26±0.43) of the intervention by midwives. Differences were reported for most topics between interviews conducted before and after implementation of the intervention. Pre-intervention, the midwives reported that the main factor affecting the application of perineal protection techniques was the lack of continuous presence of the midwife. The birth position was the alternative birth position (hands and knees, side-lying, squatting and semi-sitting), avoiding the lithotomy position. Techniques used for perineal protection were warm compresses, hands-on techniques, hands-off techniques and spontaneous pushing; and the reasons given for performing an episiotomy were large (high-birthweight) baby, Kristeller manoeuvre, tense perineum and previous obstetric sphincter injury. Post-intervention, the midwives reported that the presence of a second person increases the safety of professionals and women and improves working relations. The technique used for perineal protection was autonomy to adapt the intervention with perineal massage and warm compresses. A comfortable birth position for woman was used, and the rate of episiotomy reduced (only performed in the case of fetal distress). Regarding audits, significant differences (p < 0.05) were found for all audit criteria (pre- and post-intervention), which means that midwives adopted the intervention into their clinical practice. CONCLUSION: Acceptability, appropriateness, feasibility and adoption of the intervention by midwives were high. Thus, tailored and multifaceted strategies were effective to achieve the implementation outcomes.

Midwives' practices on perineal protection and episiotomy decision-making: A qualitative and descriptive study.

INTRODUCTION: Perineal trauma is associated with both short- and long-term morbidity which in turn relates to the degree of trauma. The objective of this study was to understand midwives' practices regarding perineal protection during the second phase of labor, emphasizing decision-making to perform an episiotomy. METHODS: A descriptive and explanatory study was conducted with an intentional sample of twenty-two midwives working in the labor ward of a tertiary hospital in a metropolitan location and in the public service, in Portugal. A semi-open interview was applied to collect the data from 5 to 15 January 2019. The computer software package, NVivo version 10, was used to perform the thematic analysis. RESULTS: Four main themes arose from the midwives' data: 1) Factors affecting the application of perineal protection techniques', 2) Birth position, 3) Techniques for perineal protection, and 4) Episiotomy. The reasons for performing an episiotomy were the presence of tense perineum, large weight baby, previous obstetric anal sphincter injury, and Kristeller maneuver. CONCLUSIONS: Midwives' practices regarding perineal protection techniques and reasons for performing an episiotomy were not all in line with the evidence. Perineal massage was not mentioned as a perineal protection technique.

First alongside midwifery led unit in a high complexity public hospital in Spain: Maternal and neonatal outcomes.

PROBLEM: Midwifery led units are rare in Spain. BACKGROUND: Midwife-Led Care (MLC) is a widely extended model of care and, within this, the alongside midwifery-led units (AMLU) are those hospital-based and located in close connection with obstetric units. In Spain, CL is the first center belonging to the National Health System of these characteristics. AIM: To evaluate the first year of activity of this pioneering unit. METHODS: An observational cross-sectional study was carried out to assess maternal and neonatal outcomes of births facilitated at CL by comparing with those births that fulfilled the criteria to be admitted at the AMLU but were assisted at the standard obstetric care unit of the hospital. FINDINGS: 174 (20,3%) women and birthing people decided to give birth at CL, whereas 684 (79,7%) gave birth at the Obstetric Unit of the Hospital. Women assisted at the AMLU had lower intervention rates (episiotomy, epidural analgesia) and a higher rate of breastfeeding practice. There were no statistical differences in maternal outcomes (postpartum hemorrhage, third-or-four-degree laceration) or neonatal outcomes (Apgar< 7 at 5 min; birth weight < 2500 gr; macrosomia; shoulder dystocia, neonatal care transfer). DISCUSSION: There were differences in transfers from MLU to OU between nulliparous and multiparous; the main reason for transfer is the request for analgesia. Epidural analgesia should be considered when analyzing maternal outcomes. CONCLUSION: An alongside midwifery-led unit is a safe option with a low incidence of complications. This model of care can be positively implemented at the Public Healthcare System.

Midwife-attended planned home births versus planned hospital births in Spain: Maternal and neonatal outcomes.

BACKGROUND: The debate on the safety and outcomes of home versus hospital births highlights the need for evidence-based evaluations of these birthing settings, particularly in Catalonia where both options are available. AIM: To compare sociodemographic characteristics and maternal and neonatal outcomes between low-risk women opting for home versus hospital births in Catalonia, Spain. METHODS: This observational cross-sectional study analysed 3,463 low-risk births between 2016 and 2018, including 2,713 hospital and 750 home births. Researchers collected sociodemographic data, birthing processes, and outcomes, using statistical analysis to explore differences between the settings. FINDINGS: Notable differences emerged: Women choosing home births typically had higher education levels and were predominantly Spanish. They were 3.43 times more likely to have a spontaneous birth and significantly less likely to undergo instrumental births than those in hospitals. Home births were associated with higher utilization of non-pharmacological analgesia and a more pronounced tendency to iniciate breastfeeding within the first hour post birth and stronger inclination towards breastfeeding. Hospital births, conversely, showed higher use of the lithotomy position and epidural analgesia. There were no significant differences in neonatal outcomes between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATION FOR PRACTICE: Home births managed by midwives offered better obstetric and neonatal outcomes for low-risk women than hospital births. These results suggest home birth as a safe, viable option that promotes natural birthing processes and reduces medical interventions. The study supports the integration of midwife-led home birth into public health policies, affirming its benefits for maternal and neonatal health.

Effect of Perineal Massage and Warm Compresses Technique in Postpartum Pelvic Floor Dysfunction. A Secondary Analysis from a Randomised Controlled Trial.

Pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD) is common to be associated with pregnancy and birth. To date, no research has been done to understand whether the perineal massage and warm compresses technique has an impact on pelvic floor dysfunction. To assess the impact of perineal massage and warm compresses technique during the second stage of labor in pelvic floor dysfunction at 3 and 6 months postpartum. Of the 800 women recruited to randomised controlled trial to prevent perineal trauma, 496 were included in the study, with 242 (48.8%) assigned to the Perineal Massage and Warm Compresses (PeMWaC) group and 254 (51.2%) to the control group (hands-on). Used the Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory-20 (PFDI-20). The questionnaire is divided into three subscales: Urinary (UDI), Colorectal-Anal (CRADI), and Pelvic Organ Prolapse Distress Inventory (POPDI). The PeMWaC group had a significantly higher frequency of intact perineum (p < 0.001) and low-severity vaginal tears (tears without any other degree of perineal trauma) (p = 0.031) compared to the control group, while the control group had significantly more patients who suffered high-severity vaginal/perineal trauma (second degree perineal tears) (p = 0.031) and patients without spontaneous perineal trauma or vaginal tears who underwent episiotomy (p < 0.001). In addition, at 3 months postpartum, women in the control group had a higher Urinary Distress Inventory (UDI) score and global score, compared to the PeMWaC group, and after controlling for confounding variables, the perineal massage and warm compresses technique was associated with lower UDI scores at 3 months postpartum compared to control group. At 6 months postpartum, there were no differences in the UDI or global scores, indicating general recovery from perineal trauma. In addition to reducing perineal trauma during birth, the perineal massage and warm compresses technique was associated with a lower prevalence of early PFD symptoms, mainly urinary distress, at 3 months.Trial registration http://www.ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05854888, retrospectively registered.

Birthmode and environment-dependent microbiota transmission dynamics are complemented by breastfeeding during the first year.

The composition and maturation of the early-life microbiota are modulated by a number of perinatal factors, whose interplay in relation to microbial vertical transmission remains inadequately elucidated. Using recent strain-tracking methodologies, we analyzed mother-to-infant microbiota transmission in two different birth environments: hospital-born (vaginal/cesarean) and home-born (vaginal) infants and their mothers. While delivery mode primarily explains initial compositional differences, place of birth impacts transmission timing-being early in homebirths and delayed in cesarean deliveries. Transmission patterns vary greatly across species and birth groups, yet certain species, like Bifidobacterium longum, are consistently vertically transmitted regardless of delivery setting. Strain-level analysis of B. longum highlights relevant and consistent subspecies replacement patterns mainly explained by breastfeeding practices, which drive changes in human milk oligosaccharide (HMO) degrading capabilities. Our findings highlight how delivery setting, breastfeeding duration, and other lifestyle preferences collectively shape vertical transmission, impacting infant gut colonization during early life.

Incidence of Perinatal Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in Catalonia: An Observational Study of Protective and Risk Factors.

Pregnancy and childbirth have a great impact on women's lives; traumatic perinatal experiences can adversely affect mental health. The present study analyzes the incidence of perinatal post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in Catalonia in 2021 from data obtained from the Registry of Morbidity and Use of Health Resources of Catalonia (MUSSCAT). The incidence of perinatal PTSD (1.87%) was lower than in comparable studies, suggesting underdiagnosis. Poisson regression adjusting for age, income, gestational weeks at delivery, type of delivery, and parity highlighted the influence of sociodemographics, and characteristics of the pregnancy and delivery on the risk of developing perinatal PTSD. These findings underline the need for further research on the risk factors identified and for the early detection and effective management of PTSD in the perinatal setting.

Perinatal Outcomes at Birth in Women Infected and Non-Infected with SARS-CoV-2: A Retrospective Study.

BACKGROUND: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was declared as a pandemic and public health emergency on 11 March 2020 by the World Health Organization. Different clinical trials on the efficacy of mRNA vaccination have excluded pregnant women, leading to a lack of empirical evidence on the efficacy of the vaccine in this population. The aim of the study was to examine the association between severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection at birth and adverse perinatal outcomes in infected and non-infected women from a university hospital in Spain. METHODS: The data were obtained from electronic health records from 1 March 2020 to 28 February 2022. A bivariate descriptive analysis was performed, comparing women with and without confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy using the chi-square test. A multivariate logistic regression was complementarily conducted to determine whether SARS-CoV-2 infection increases the risk of adverse obstetric and perinatal outcomes. RESULTS: A total of 2676 women were divided into two groups: non-infected with SARS-CoV-2 (n = 2624) and infected with SARS-CoV-2 (n = 52). Infected women were primarily multiparous (p < 0.03) and had received an incomplete vaccination regimen (p < 0.001). A greater incidence of premature rupture of membranes (p < 0.04) was observed among the non-infected women. Pertaining to perinatal outcomes, there was a notable rise in NICU admissions (p < 0.014), coupled with an extended duration of stay (p < 0.04), for neonates born to infected mothers in comparison to their non-infected counterparts. CONCLUSION: Although SARS-CoV-2 infection may pose significant risks to pregnant women and their infants, adverse obstetrical/puerperal outcomes do not significantly differ between women infected and non-infected to SARS-CoV-2 in our study. NICU admissions were higher for neonates born to infected mothers. Additionally, coronavirus disease 2019 vaccination during pregnancy is not associated with severe adverse perinatal outcomes.

Perineal massage and warm compresses - Randomised controlled trial for reduce perineal trauma during labor.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of perineal massage and warm compresses technique on the perineum integrity during second stage of labor. DESIGN AND SETTING: A single-center, prospective, randomized controlled trial was conducted between March 1st, 2019, and December 31st, 2020, at Hospital of Braga. PARTICIPANTS: Women with 18 years or older, between 37 weeks and 41 weeks pregnant, in whom a vaginal birth of a fetus in the cephalic presentation was planned were recruited. Eight hundred forty-eight women were randomly assigned (Perineal massage and warm compresses group, n = 424 and control group, n = 424), and 800 women, both perineal massage and warm compresses group (n = 400) and control group (n = 400) were included in the strict per protocol analysis. INTERVENTION: In the perineal massage and warm compresses group, women received perineal massage and warm compresses and in the control group, women received hands-on technique. RESULTS: The incidence of intact perineum was significantly higher in the perineal massage and warm compresses group [perineal massage and warm compresses group: 47% vs control group: 26.3%; OR 2.53, 95% CI 1.86-3.45, p<0.001], whereas second-degree tears and episiotomy rate were significantly lower in this group [perineal massage and warm compresses group: 7.2% vs control group: 12.3%; OR 1.96, 95% CI 1.17-3.29, p = 0.010 and perineal massage and warm compresses group: 9.5% vs control group: 28.5%; OR 3.478, 95% CI 2.236-5.409, p<0.001, respectively]. Also, obstetric anal sphincter injury with and without episiotomy and second-degree tears with episiotomy were significantly lower in the perineal massage and warm compresses group [perineal massage and warm compresses group: 0.5% vs control group: 2.3%; OR 5.404, 95% CI 1.077-27.126, p = 0.040 and perineal massage and warm compresses group: 0.3% vs control group: 1.8%; OR 9.253, 95% CI 1.083-79.015, p = 0.042, respectively]. CONCLUSIONS: The perineal massage and warm compresses technique increased the incidence of intact perineum and reduced the incidence of second-degree tear, episiotomy and obstetric anal sphincter injury. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Perineal massage and warm compresses technique is feasible, inexpensive and reproductible. Therefore, this technique should be taught and trained to midwives students and midwives team. Thus, women should have this information and have the option to decide whether they want to receive the perineal massage and warm compresses technique in the second stage of labor.

Indications of Induction and Caesarean Sections Performed Using the Robson Classification in a University Hospital in Spain from 2010 to 2021.

Background: The Robson Ten Group Classification System (RTGCS) enables the assessment, monitoring, and comparison of caesarean section rates both within healthcare facilities and between them, and the indications of caesarean sections (CS) performed in a maternity ward. The aims of the present study were to conduct an analysis to assess the levels and distribution of birth from a descriptive approach by CS in La Ribera University Hospital (Spain) between 2010-2021 using the Robson classification; to describe the indications for the induction of labour and the causes of caesarean sections performed; and to examine the association between the induction of labour and CS birth. Methods: A retrospective study between 1 January 2010 and 31 December 2021. All eligible women were classified according to the RTGCS to determine the absolute and relative contribution by each group to the overall CS rate. The odds ratio (OR) of the variables of interest was estimated by logistic regression. In an analysis of the subgroups, the level of significance was adjusted using the Bonferroni method. Results: 20,578 women gave birth during the study period, 19% of them by CS. In 33% of births, induction was performed, and the most common cause was the premature rupture of membranes. Group 2 (nulliparous with induced labour/elective CS before labour) accounted for the largest contribution to the overall rate of CS (31.5%) and showed an upward trend from 23.2% to 39.7% in the time series, increasing the CS rate by 6.7%. The leading cause of CS was suspected fetal distress, followed by induction failure. Conclusions: In our study, Robson Group 2 was identified as the main contributor to the hospital's overall CS rate. Determining the causes of induction and CS in a population sample classified using the RTGCS enables the identification of the groups with the greatest deviation from the optimal rate of CS and the establishment of improvement plans to reduce the overall rate of caesarean sections in the maternity unit.

Implementing the QUALI-DEC project in Argentina, Burkina Faso, Thailand and Viet Nam: a process delineation and theory-driven process evaluation protocol.

The project 'Quality Decision-making by women and providers' (QUALI-DEC) combines four non-clinical interventions to promote informed decision-making surrounding mode of birth, improve women's birth experiences, and reduce caesarean sections among low-risk women. QUALI-DEC is currently being implemented in 32 healthcare facilities across Argentina, Burkina Faso, Thailand, and Viet Nam. In this paper, we detail implementation processes and the planned process evaluation, which aims to assess how and for whom QUALI-DEC worked, the mechanisms of change and their interactions with context and setting; adaptations to intervention and implementation strategies, feasibility of scaling-up, and cost-effectiveness of the intervention. We developed a project theory of change illustrating how QUALI-DEC might lead to impact. The theory of change, together with on the ground observations of implementation processes, guided the process evaluation strategy including what research questions and perspectives to prioritise. Main data sources will include: 1) regular monitoring visits in healthcare facilities, 2) quantitative process and output indicators, 3) a before and after cross-sectional survey among post-partum women, 4) qualitative interviews with all opinion leaders, and 5) qualitative interviews with postpartum women and health workers in two healthcare facilities per country, as part of a case study approach. We foresee that the QUALI-DEC process evaluation will generate valuable information that will improve interpretation of the effectiveness evaluation. At the policy level, we anticipate that important lessons and methodological insights will be drawn, with application to other settings and stakeholders looking to implement complex interventions aiming to improve maternal and newborn health and wellbeing.Trial registration: ISRCTN67214403.

A comparison between midwifery and obstetric care at birth in Spain: Across-sectional study of perinatal outcomes.

BACKGROUND: The organizational structure of maternity services determines the choice of which professionals provide care during pregnancy, birth, and the postnatal period, and it influences the kind of care they deliver and the level of continuity of care offered. There is considerable evidence that demonstrates a relationship between how care is provided and the maternal and neonatal health outcomes. Registered midwives and obstetricians provide maternity care across Spain. To date, no studies have assessed whether maternity outcomes differ between these two groups. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to examine the association between the care received (midwifery care versus obstetric care) and the maternal and neonatal outcomes in women with normal, low- and medium-risk pregnancies in Spain from 2016 to 2019. DESIGN: A prospective, multicentre, cross-sectional study was carried out as part of COST Action IS1405 at 44 public hospitals in Spain in the years 2016-2019. The protocol can be accessed through the registry ISRCTN14062994. The sample size of this study was 11,537 women. The primary outcome was mode of birth. The secondary outcomes included augmentation with oxytocin, use of epidural analgesia, women's position at birth, perineal integrity, third stage of labour management, maternal and neonatal admission to intensive care, Apgar score, neonatal resuscitation, and early initiation of breastfeeding. Chi-square tests for categorical variables and independent sample t-test for continuous variables to assess differences between the midwifery and obstetric groups were calculated. Odds ratio with intervals of confidence at 95% were calculated for obstetric interventions and perinatal outcomes. A multivariate logistic regression model was applied in order to examine the effect of type of healthcare provider on perinatal outcomes. These models were adjusted for care provider, type of onset of labour, use of anaesthesia, pregnancy risk, maternal age, parity, and gestational age at birth. RESULTS: Midwifery care was associated with lower rates of operative births and severe perineal damage and had no higher adverse outcomes. No statistically significant differences were observed in the use of other obstetric interventions between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study should encourage a shift in the current maternity care system towards a greater integration of midwifery-led services in order to achieve optimal birth outcomes for women and newborns. REGISTRY NUMBER: ISRCTN14062994.