Intrapartum Period (intrapartum + period)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


A systematic review of professional support interventions for breastfeeding

JOURNAL OF CLINICAL NURSING, Issue 9 2008
Leena Hannula PhD
Objectives., The objectives of this systematic review were first, to describe how breastfeeding is professionally supported during pregnancy, at maternity hospitals and during the postnatal period. Secondly, to find out how effective interventions are in supporting breastfeeding. Background., Breastfeeding is an effective way to promote the health of infants. In many countries, the rates for breastfeeding remain lower than recommended. Many studies have examined breastfeeding promotion interventions; some of them are successful and some fail. It is important to find effective combinations of support. Design. Systematic review. Methods., Search of CINAHL, Medline and Cochrane Central Register databases were conducted for data collection. The search was limited to articles published in Finnish, Swedish and English between the year 2000 and March 2006, focusing on breastfeeding and breastfeeding support interventions. Two reviewers independently analysed 36 articles in the final analysis. Results., Interventions expanding from pregnancy to the intrapartum period and throughout the postnatal period were more effective than interventions concentrating on a shorter period. In addition, intervention packages using various methods of education and support from well-trained professionals are more effective than interventions concentrating on a single method. Conclusions., During pregnancy, the effective interventions were interactive, involving mothers in conversation. The Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) as well as practical hands off -teaching, when combined with support and encouragement, were effective approaches. Postnatally effective were home visits, telephone support and breastfeeding centres combined with peer support. Relevance to clinical practice., Professionals need breastfeeding education and support of their organisations to act as breastfeeding supporters. The BFHI -programme is effective and it would be wise to include the core components of the programme in breastfeeding promotion interventions. Mothers benefit from breastfeeding encouragement and guidance that supports their self-efficacy and feelings of being capable and empowered, and is tailored to their individual needs. [source]


Legal Implications of Fetal Heart Assessment

JOURNAL OF OBSTETRIC, GYNECOLOGIC & NEONATAL NURSING, Issue 5 2000
Laura Mahlmeister RN
The standard of care requires perinatal nurses to perform fetal heart (FH) assessment competently and safely. Failure to adhere to established guidelines and standards for FH assessment may result in negative outcomes for the fetus or newborn and contributes to claims of nursing negligence. The perinatal nurse must be fully cognizant of professional guidelines and standards for FH assessment and comply with agency policies and procedures when conducting assessment of the fetal heart. Guidelines for FH assessment during the antepartum and intrapartum period are discussed within the context of restructured health care settings and today's medicolegal climate. [source]


Are patients with positive screening but negative diagnostic test for gestational diabetes under risk for adverse pregnancy outcome?

JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS AND GYNAECOLOGY RESEARCH (ELECTRONIC), Issue 3 2008
Ilknur I. Gumus
Abstract Objective:, Our aim was to determine the obstetrics outcomes of patients with positive 1-h glucose challenge test (GCT), but negative diagnostic test for gestational diabetes. Methods:, Pregnancy records of 409 pregnants were reviewed. Patients were screened for gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) with one-hour 50 g glucose challenge test (GCT) at 24,28 weeks of gestation. Patients with glucose challenge tests values , 130 mg/dL were refered for the 3 h, 100-g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). Positive GCT but negative for OGTT group (Group A) were compared retrospectively with the group of negative GCT (Group B) for obstetrics outcomes. Result:, GDM and impared glucose tolerance (IGT) were diagnosed in 33 (7.6%) and 46 (10.5%) patients, respectively. We identified 141 (34.4%) patients with positive GCT but negative for OGTT (Group A) and 189 (46.2%) patients with negative GCT (Group B). Gestational weight gain, polyhydramnios, family history of diabetes mellitus were significantly higher in group A than group B (P < 0.05). Prevalance of preterm labor, hypertension, cesarean delivery, mean birthweight, proportion of babies admitted to neonatal intensive care unit were similar in both groups. Conclusion:, There are some differences for pregnancy outcomes between pregnants with positive GCT but negative for OGTT and negative GCT. These patients should be followed up carefully during the antepartum and intrapartum period. [source]


Fetal extrasystole may predict poor neonatal outcome

AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS AND GYNAECOLOGY, Issue 4 2009
Jake A. BROWN
Extrasystoles particularly premature atrial contractions noted during labour on the fetal heart rate monitoring strip are usually thought to be benign. In pregnancies complicated by fetal infection and/or the fetal inflammatory response syndrome, there are some data that extrasystoles noted during the intrapartum period may be related to neonatal sepsis and eventual poor neonatal outcome including death or neonatal encephalopathy. Additional observations are needed to substantiate this hypothesis. [source]