Home About us Contact
|
Home About us Contact | ||
|
|
||
Childbirth Experiences (childbirth + experience)
Selected AbstractsWomen's perceptions and experiences of a traumatic birth: a meta-ethnographyJOURNAL OF ADVANCED NURSING, Issue 10 2010Rakime Elmir elmir r., schmied v., wilkes l. & jackson d. (2010) Women's perceptions and experiences of a traumatic birth: a meta-ethnography. Journal of Advanced Nursing,66(10), 2142,2153. Abstract Aim., This study presents the findings a meta-ethnographic study reporting women's perceptions and experiences of traumatic birth. Background., Childbirth is viewed by many as a life transition that can bring a sense of accomplishment. However, for some women, birth is experienced as a traumatic event with a minority experiencing post-traumatic stress. A traumatic birth experience can have a significant impact on the physical and emotional well-being of a woman, her infant and family. Data source., The CINAHL, MEDLINE, Scopus and PubMed databases were searched for the period January 1994 to October 2009 using the keywords birth trauma, traumatic birth, qualitative research, birth narrative and birth stories. Review methods., A meta-ethnographic approach was used. Quality appraisal was carried out. An index paper served as a guide in identifying particular findings and comparing them with other findings. This ,reciprocal translation' process started with a search for common themes, phrases and metaphors. Results., Ten qualitative studies were included in the final sample. Six major themes were identified: ,feeling invisible and out of control', ,to be treated humanely', ,feeling trapped: the reoccurring nightmare of my childbirth experience', ,a rollercoaster of emotions', ,disrupted relationships' and ,strength of purpose: a way to succeed as a mother'. Conclusions., It is evident that a small percentage of women experience a traumatic birth. Although some women who experience a traumatic birth do not necessarily have physical or psychological adverse outcomes, others identify a significant personal impact. Healthcare professionals must recognize women's need to be involved in decision-making and to be fully informed about all aspects of their labour and birth to increase their sense of control. [source] Continuous Support for Women During ChildbirthBIRTH, Issue 1 2005E.D. Hodnett ABSTRACT Background:, Historically, women have been attended and supported by other women during labour. However, in recent decades in hospitals worldwide, continuous support during labour has become the exception rather than the routine. Concerns about the consequent dehumanization of women's birth experiences have led to calls for a return to continuous support by women for women during labour. Objectives:, Primary: to assess the effects, on mothers and their babies, of continuous, one-to-one intrapartum support compared with usual care. Secondary: to determine whether the effects of continuous support are influenced by: (1) routine practices and policies in the birth environment that may affect a woman's autonomy, freedom of movement, and ability to cope with labour; (2) whether the caregiver is a member of the staff of the institution; and (3) whether the continuous support begins early or later in labour. Search strategy:, We searched the Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group trials register (30 January 2003) and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (The Cochrane Library, Issue 1, 2003). Selection criteria:, All published and unpublished randomized controlled trials comparing continuous support during labour with usual care. Data collection and analysis:, Standard methods of the Cochrane Collaboration Pregnancy and Childbirth Group were used. All authors participated in evaluation of methodological quality. Data extraction was undertaken independently by one author and a research assistant. Additional information was sought from the trial authors. Results are presented using relative risk for categorical data and weighted mean difference for continuous data. Main results:, Fifteen trials involving 12,791 women are included. Primary comparison: Women who had continuous intrapartum support were less likely to have intrapartum analgesia, operative birth, or to report dissatisfaction with their childbirth experiences. Subgroup analyses: In general, continuous intrapartum support was associated with greater benefits when the provider was not a member of the hospital staff, when it began early in labour, and in settings in which epidural analgesia was not routinely available. Reviewers' conclusions:, All women should have support throughout labour and birth. Citation:, Hodnett ED, Gates S, Hofmeyr G J, Sakala C. Continuous support for women during childbirth (Cochrane Review). In: The Cochrane Library, Issue 3, 2004. Chichester, UK: John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. ,,,The preceding report is an abstract of a regularly updated, systematic review prepared and maintained by the Cochrane Collaboration. The full text of the review is available in The Cochrane Library (ISSN 1464-780X). The Cochrane Library is designed and produced by Update Software Ltd, and published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Birth Position, Accoucheur, and Perineal Outcomes: Informing Women About Choices for Vaginal BirthBIRTH, Issue 1 2002Allison Shorten RN Background:,The literature is tentative in establishing links between birth position and perineal outcome. Evidence is inconclusive about risks and benefits of women's options for birth position. The objective of this study was to gain further evidence to inform perinatal caregivers about the effect of birth position on perineal outcome, and to assist birth attendants in providing women with information and opportunities for minimizing perineal trauma. Methods:,Data from 2891 normal vaginal births were analyzed. Descriptive statistics were obtained for variables of interest, and cross-tabulations were generated to explore possible relationships between perineal outcomes, birth positions, and accoucheur type. Logistic regression models were used to examine potential confounding and interaction effects of relevant variables. Results:,Multiple regression analysis revealed a statistically significant association between birth position and perineal outcome. Overall, the lateral position was associated with the highest rate of intact perineum (66.6%) and the most favorable perineal outcome profile. The squatting position was associated with the least favorable perineal outcomes (intact rate 42%), especially for primiparas. A statistically significant association was demonstrated between perineal outcome and accoucheur type. The obstetrician group generated an episiotomy rate of 26 percent, which was more than five times higher than episiotomy rates for all midwife categories. The rate for tear requiring suture of 42.1 percent for the obstetric category was 5 to7 percentage points higher than that for midwives. Intact perineum was achieved for 31.9 percent of women delivered by obstetricians compared with 56 to 61 percent for three midwifery categories. Conclusion:,Findings contribute to growing evidence that birth position may affect perineal outcome. Women's childbirth experiences should reflect decisions made in partnership with midwives and obstetricians who are equipped with knowledge of risks and benefits of birthing options and skills to implement women's choices for birth. Further identification and recognition of the strategies used by midwives to achieve favorable perineal outcomes is warranted. (BIRTH 29:1 March 2002) [source] Continuity of Caregivers for Care During Pregnancy and ChildbirthBIRTH, Issue 3 2000E.D. Hodnett A substantive amendment to this systematic review was last made on 17 May 1999. Cochrane reviews are regularly checked and updated if necessary. ABSTRACT Background: Social support may include advice or information, tangible assistance, and emotional support. Objectives: The objective of this review was to assess the effects of continuous support during labour (provided by health care workers or lay people) on mothers and babies. Search strategy: I searched the Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group trials register and the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register. Date of last search: April 1999. Selection criteria: Randomised trials comparing continuous support during labour with usual care. Data collection and analysis: Trial quality was assessed. Study authors were contacted for additional information. Main results: Fourteen trials, involving more than 5000 women, are included in the Review. The continuous presence of a support person reduced the likelihood of medication for pain relief, operative vaginal delivery, Caesarean delivery, and a 5-minute Apgar score less than 7. Continuous support was also associated with a slight reduction in the length of labour. Six trials evaluated the effects of support on mothers' views of their childbirth experiences; while the trials used different measures (overall satisfaction, failure to cope well during labour, finding labour to be worse than expected, and level of personal control during childbirth), in each trial the results favoured the group who had received continuous support. Reviewers' conclusions: Continuous support during labour from caregivers (nurses, midwives, or lay people) appears to have a number of benefits for mothers and their babies and there do not appear to be any harmful effects. Citation: Hodnett ED. Caregiver support for women during childbirth (Cochrane Review). In: The Cochrane Library, Issue 1, 2000. Oxford: Update Software. [source] | ||||||||||