Primiparous Women Research Articles

Effectiveness of individualized counseling on the duration of exclusive breastfeeding: study protocol for a multicenter, randomized, parallel, and open clinical trial

BackgroundDespite the benefits of breastfeeding, early weaning is a reality, so less than 50% of children worldwide and in Brazil are on exclusive breastfeeding in the sixth month of life. A strategy to counteract this scenario is breastfeeding counseling. This study aims to verify the effectiveness of individualized counseling by nurses trained in breastfeeding counseling, on the duration of exclusive breastfeeding, compared to standard care.MethodsMulticenter, randomized, parallel, and open clinical trial, with primiparous women aged over 18 years, hospitalized in rooming-in wards at participating centers and hemodynamically stable, aware, and oriented, who had a single-fetus pregnancy and gave birth, regardless of the type of delivery, with live child, gestational age of 37 to 42 weeks and birth weight greater than 2500 g. The women will be initially approached in rooming-in wards and, upon consent to participate in the study, will be allocated through randomization by blocks composed of eight participants in two groups: intervention and control. The randomization lists will be organized by a central without involvement with the study, which will manage the allocation groups and be prepared in the Randon® program. Women allocated to the intervention group will receive breastfeeding counseling by trained nurses, and those in the control group will receive standard care at the center participating in the study.DiscussionThe results can contribute to breastfeeding by evidencing possible exclusivity and duration of the counseling trained nurses provide.Trial registrationREBEC RBR-4w9v5rq (UTN: U1111-1284–3559) (https://ensaiosclinicos.gov.br/rg/RBR-4w9v5rq). Posted on March 20, 2023.

Oxytocin Versus Oral Misoprostol for Induction of Labor in Pregnant Women with Term Prelabor Rupture of Membranes: a Randomized Clinical Trial

This study compares the effectiveness and safety of oxytocin infusion against oral misoprostol for inducing labour in pregnant women with term prelabor membrane rupture. We randomized 173 pregnant women presenting with term prelabor rupture of membranes (PROM) at Ain Shams University Maternity Hospital into Group A (underwent induction of labor (IOL) by 25μg misoprostol oral tablet every 4 h, for maximum 5 doses) and an identical Group B: (underwent IOL by oxytocin infusion according to the hospital protocol). Our primary outcome was rate of vaginal delivery within 24 h, while the secondary outcomes included the time till active phase, induction to delivery interval, maternal pyrexia, nausea and vomiting, fetal distress, Apgar score, birth weight, and neonatal intensive care unit admission. Both groups showed high rates of vaginal delivery (82.4% & 87.1% for misoprostol group and oxytocin group respectively) with no significant difference between the two groups (p=0.394). However, patients induced by misoprostol took significantly less time to reach active phase with a shorter induction to delivery interval as compared to patients induced with oxytocin. This difference was clear in multiparous women, but not observed in primiparous women when subgroup analysis was done. No significant difference was found as regards other outcomes. Our study showed that both oral misoprostol and oxytocin are effective and safe for IOL in patients with PROM, with shorter induction-delivery interval in patients induced by oral misoprostol, an effect that is clear in multiparous but not primiparous women.Trial registrationNCT05215873, on 31/01/2022, “retrospectively registered”.

Re-evaluation of modifiable risk factors for obstetric anal sphincter injury in a real-world setting.

The objective was to identify modifiable risk factors for obstetric anal sphincter injury (OASI) in primiparous women. This was a retrospective cohort study of primiparous women with a singleton vaginal delivery. Main outcome measures were incidence of OASI and odds ratios for possible risk factors: maternal age, body mass index and height, fetal birthweight and head circumference, gestational age, epidural analgesia, mediolateral episiotomy, and instrumental deliveries. Univariate and multivariate logistic regressions were performed using forward methods for variable selection. Of 19,786 primiparous women with a singleton vaginal delivery, 369 sustained an OASI (1.9%). Risk factors were identified: vacuum extraction (adjusted OR 2.06, 95% CI, 1.59-2.65, p < 0.001), increased fetal weight (aOR 1.06, 95% CI, 1.02-1.11, p = 0.002, per 100-g increments); head circumference (aOR 1.24, 95% CI, 1.13-1.35, p < 0.001, per 1-cm increments); gestational week (aOR 1.11, 95% CI, 1.02-1.2, p = 0.012, per week). Protective factors: mediolateral episiotomy (aOR 0.75, 95% CI, 0.59-0.94, p = 0.013) particularly in vacuum deliveries (aOR 0.50, 95% CI, 0.29-0.97, p = 0.040); epidural analgesia (aOR 0.64, 95% CI, 0.48-0.84, p = 0.001); maternal height ≥157 cm (aOR 0.97, 95% CI, 0.96-0.98, p = 0.006, risk decreases by 2.6% per 1 cm increase in height). Mediolateral episiotomy was protective against OASI in both spontaneous and instrumental deliveries of primiparae. Increased fetal weight and large fetal head circumference, particularly in short women, were significant risk factors. These findings support the performance of ultrasound to acquire updated fetal measures before admission to the labor ward.

Women’s perspectives of nitrous oxide for labour and procedural analgesia: A prospective clinical audit and cross-sectional study. “It’s the best thing”

ProblemThere is limited data regarding dose and duration of nitrous oxide use by women in peripartum care. Experiences of using nitrous in Australian settings have not previously been explored BackgroundMore than 1:2 women use nitrous oxide analgesia during labour and birth, despite this, there are limited published data on nitrous oxide use for labour or procedural analgesia in Australia. AimTo explore the use of nitrous oxide during labour and birth or procedural care. MethodsA two-phased sequential design was used; clinical audit (n = 183) and cross-sectional survey (n = 137) approaches supported data collection. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics, qualitative data underwent content analysis. FindingsNitrous oxide was used by primiparous and multiparous women evenly. Duration of labour-use ranged from < 15 min (10.9%) to > 5 h (10.8%), with equal representation between > 50% concentration (43%) and < 50% (43%). At audit, 75% found nitrous useful; postpartum maternal satisfaction scores remained high, mean indicators were 75%. More multiparous women found nitrous oxide useful than primiparous (95%vs80%,p = 0.009). There was no association between perceived usefulness and whether women were in spontaneous, augmented or induced labour; regardless of concentrations reached. Three key themes described women’s perspectives of physical and psycho-emotional effects and challenges. DiscussionNitrous oxide plays an important role in the provision of analgesia during procedural or labour and birth care. Service provision, parent and professional education, and future service design will benefit from these novel findings confirming the utility and acceptability of nitrous oxide use in contemporary maternity care.

The effect of birth ball exercise on labor pain, delivery duration, birth comfort, and birth satisfaction: a randomized controlled study.

This study aimed to examine the effect of birth ball exercise on labor pain, delivery duration, birth comfort, and birth satisfaction. The study used a randomized controlled trial design. All 120 primiparous pregnant women were randomly assigned to the intervention (IG) and control groups (CG). After the cervical dilatation reached 4cm, the pregnant women in the IG performed birth ball exercises, adhering to the birth ball guide created by the researcher. No intervention was made in the control group other than standard midwifery care practices. The labor pain level between the groups (VAS 1-when cervical dilatation was 4cm) was similar to each other. The labor pain level (VAS 2- when cervical dilatation was 9cm) scores of the women in the IG were significantly lower than those in the CG (p < 0.05). The time between the active phase of labor until dilatation is complete and the time until the baby's head comes out after full dilatation was found to be statistically significantly shorter in the IG compared to the CG (p < 0.05). Childbirth comfort and satisfaction mean scores between the groups were found to be statistically insignificant (p > 0.05). As a result of the study, it was determined that the birth ball exercise significantly reduced labor pain and labor time. We recommend that the birth ball exercise be applied to all low-risk pregnant women because it helps fetal descent and cervical dilatation, and shortens labor pain and delivery time.

Virtual Reality Headset Simulating a Nature Environment to Improve Health Outcomes in Pregnant Women: A Randomized-Controlled Trial.

The single-blind randomized-controlled experimental study aimed to determine the effects of watching nature images through virtual reality (VR) headset on stress, anxiety, and attachment levels of pregnant women with preterm birth threats (PBTs). The participants were 131 primiparous pregnant women admitted to the perinatology clinic due to PBT between April 5, 2022 and July 20, 2022. The intervention group watched videos containing nature images accompanied by nature sounds in six sessions through VR headset three times daily for 2 days. Each session lasted for 5 min. The data were accumulated with the Information Form, Stress Subscale of Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21, State Anxiety Inventory, Prenatal Attachment Inventory, and Information Form of Satisfaction Level of VR Headset. State anxiety and stress levels of pregnant women in intervention group were statistically significantly lower than those in controls. There was no difference in prenatal attachment levels concerning intragroup comparisons of intervention group.

Factors predicting self-efficacy during birth in Chinese women: a cross-sectional study

Background/Aims Self-efficacy can promote optimism during childbirth and a better transition from pregnancy to motherhood. This study's aim was to examine maternal childbirth self-efficacy during the latent phase of labour, and identify related predictors, among low-risk Chinese pregnant women. Methods A predictive correlational study was conducted among 122 low-risk pregnant women. Questionnaires were used to collect data on self-efficacy, with standard multiple linear regression analysis applied to determine its predictors. Results The mean score for childbirth self-efficacy was 225 (standard deviation=47.86), which indicated moderate self-efficacy during labour. Professional support (P&lt;0.001), childbirth knowledge (P&lt;0.01) and parity (P&lt;0.05) were significant predictors. Conclusions This study highlighted that professional support, childbirth knowledge and parity can affect childbirth self-efficacy, which could enhance women's coping ability and promote a successful birth. Healthcare professionals could increase maternal self-efficacy through providing enhanced emotional and information support, ensuring that women are given adequate information about the birth process and by providing support for primiparous women during the latent phase of labour.

Effects of Husband Involvement in Prenatal Care on Couples' Intimacy and Postpartum Blues in Primiparous Women: A Quasi-Experimental Study.

Husband involvement in prenatal care is a relatively new concept in Iran. This study aimed to determine the effects of husband involvement in prenatal care on couples' intimacy and postpartum blues in primiparous pregnant women. This quasi-experimental study was performed on 72 primiparous pregnant women with a gestational age of 20-36 weeks in Rafsanjan in 2021 (January to September). After convenience sampling, the participants were assigned to control (N=36) and intervention groups (N=36). Participants in the intervention group were accompanied by their husbands and received routine prenatal care and virtual training. Participants in the control group received routine prenatal care without husband involvement. The Unidimensional Relationship Closeness Scale was completed before the intervention and two weeks after delivery, and the postpartum blues Stein questionnaire was completed one week after delivery. Data were analysed through SPSS V. 22 and using independent two-sample t-test, paired t-test, chi-square, Fisher's exact tests, and Pearson correlation coefficient with a significance level of P<0.05. The results showed that 5 women (15.20%) in the intervention group and 26 (72.20%) in the control group suffered from postpartum blues after intervention (P<0.001). There was no statistically significant difference in the mean of couples' intimacy between the two groups after the intervention (P=0.08), but the mean score of change in the couples' intimacy was significantly different across the two groups (P=0.01). Husband involvement in prenatal care seems to be able to reduce the incidence of postpartum blues but may possibly increase the couples' intimacy. Therefore, it can be suggested that midwives consider husband involvement in prenatal care.

A nationwide study of prenatal exposure to illicit drugs and risk of neurodevelopmental disorders and disruptive behavioral disorders.

This cohort study aimed to examine the association between prenatal exposure to illicit drugs and neurodevelopmental and disruptive behavioral disorders (DBD) in children aged 7-12 years, using data from four national databases in Taiwan from 2004 to 2016. We linked parental and child IDs from the Taiwan Maternal and Child Health database to track children's health status from birth to at least age 7 and identify those diagnosed with neurodevelopmental disorders. The study included 896,474 primiparous women who gave birth between 2004 and 2009, with 752 pregnant women with illicit drug use history and 7520 matched women without. The results of the study showed that prenatal illicit drug exposure was significantly associated with the development of neurodevelopmental disorders and DBD in offspring. The adjusted hazard ratios for developmental delay, mild-to-severe intellectual disability, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and DBD were 1.54 (95 % CI: 1.21-1.95), 2.63 (95 % CI: 1.64-4.19), 1.58 (95 % CI: 1.23-2.03), and 2.57 (95 % CI: 1.21-5.48), respectively. Furthermore, prenatal exposure to methamphetamine increased the risk of neurodevelopmental disorders and DBD in offspring, while opioid use was significantly associated with a higher risk of three types of neurodevelopmental disorders, but not with DBD. The use of sedative hypnotic drugs alone was not associated with any increased risk of the three types of neurodevelopmental disorders or DBD. However, we found a significant interaction effect between prenatal illicit drug exposure and the use of sedative hypnotic drugs, which increased the risk of developmental delay.

Effect of Benson Relaxation Technique on Intensity of Post Cesarean Section Pain among Primipara Women

Effect of Benson Relaxation Technique on Intensity of Post Cesarean Section Pain among Primipara Women

The Effect of Breast Massage on Breast Pain and Breast Engorgement among Primiparous Women and Neonate’s Suckling Speed

The Effect of Breast Massage on Breast Pain and Breast Engorgement among Primiparous Women and Neonate’s Suckling Speed

Determinants of pre-eclampsia among pregnant women attending antenatal care and delivery services at Bahir Dar public hospitals, northwest Ethiopia: A case-control study.

Pre-eclampsia (PE) is a pregnancy-related syndrome that occurs after 20 weeks of pregnancy. The current study was designed to evaluate the determinants of PE in pregnant women following antenatal and delivery services. An institution-based case-control study was performed in governmental hospitals of Bahir Dar city. The data were collected using an interview-administered questionnaire and analyzed by SPSS version 20 software. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression models were utilized for the analysis of variables. A p < 0.05 was used to declare the level of significance. In this study, the mean ages (in years) of cases and controls were 28.20 ± 5.66 and 27.52 ± 4.70, respectively. Factors such as: being primiparous (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: 3.19 at 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.71, 5.97), family history of hypertension (HTN) (AOR: 4.14 at 95% CI: 1.71, 10.05), previous history of PE (AOR: 7.97 at 95% CI: 2.42, 26.63), number of antenatal care (ANC) visits (AOR: 5.43 at 95% CI: 2.86, 10.33), not taking iron and folic acid supplement (AOR: 4.46 at 95% CI: 1.59, 12.48), body mass index ≥25 kg/m2 (AOR: 3.47 at 95% CI: 1.78, 6.77), not consuming vegetables (AOR: 1.99 at 95% CI: 1.07, 3.69) and not consuming egg, milk and milk products (AOR: 3.00 at 95% CI: 1.47, 6.11) were the determinants of PE. In this study, different determinants of PE were identified. Hence, special attention should be given for primiparous women, women having previous history of PE and family history of HTN. Moreover, nutritional counseling should be given for pregnant women during ANC visits. Besides, higher officials should design an appropriate strategy to increase the number of mothers to complete their ANC visits and to take iron and folic acid supplements. Furthermore, to verify the determinants of PE, community-based cohort studies are warranted.

The effects of music therapy on labor pain, childbirth experience, and self-esteem during epidural labor analgesia in primiparas: a non-randomized experimental study.

This non-randomized study was performed to evaluate the effects of music therapy on labor pain, the childbirth experience, and self-esteem in women during vaginal delivery. In total, 136 primiparous women over 37 weeks of gestation receiving epidural analgesia during vaginal delivery were recruited via convenience sampling. To minimize diffusion effects, data from the control group (n=71) were collected first (April 2020 to March 2021), followed by data from the music group (n=65; April 2021 to May 2022). Participants in the music group listened to classical music during labor, while the control group was offered usual care (no music). Labor pain was measured using a numeric rating scale (NRS), and self-esteem and childbirth experience were collected using self-report questionnaires. Data were analyzed using the independent t-test, chi-square test and Cronbach's α coefficients. The overall pain level (NRS) at baseline was 0 in both groups. Mothers in the music therapy group had lower levels of latent pain (t=1.95, p=.005), active pain (t=3.69, p<.001) and transition-phase pain (t=7.07, p<.001) than the control group. A significant difference was observed between the two groups, and the music therapy group expressed more positive perceptions of the childbirth experience (t=-1.36, p=.018). For self-esteem, the experimental group's score was slightly higher, but without a statistically significant difference from the control group. Using music therapy during labor decreased labor pain and improved the childbirth experience. Music therapy can be clinically recommended as a non-pharmacological, safe, and easy method for nursing care in labor. Clinical trail number: KCT008561.

Medical and obstetric comorbidities and delivery outcomes in overweight and obese parturients: a retrospective analysis

BackgroundResearch on obesity in women of reproductive age is heterogeneous in gestational age and body mass index (BMI) classification and focused mostly on pregnancy-related rather than medical comorbidities. We studied the prevalences of pre-pregnancy BMI, chronic maternal and obstetric comorbidities, and delivery outcomes.MethodsRetrospective analysis of real-time data collected during deliveries in a single tertiary medical center. Pre-pregnancy BMI was classified into seven groups (kg/m2): underweight (BMI < 18.5), normal weight 1 (18.5 ≤ BMI < 22.5), normal weight 2 (22.5 ≤ BMI < 25.0), overweight 1 (25.0 ≤ BMI < 27.5), overweight 2 (27.5 ≤ BMI < 30.0), obese (30.0 ≤ BMI < 35.0), and morbidly obese (BMI ≥ 35.0). Data were collected on maternal demographics, chronic medical and obstetric comorbidities, and delivery outcomes.ResultsIncluded were 13,726 women aged 18–50 years, with a gestational age of 240/7–416/7 weeks. Pre-pregnancy weights were 61.4% normal, 19.8% overweight, 7.6% obese, and 3.3% morbidly obese. Smoking was more prevalent among morbidly obese than among normal weight women. Obese and morbidly obese women were older and had more diabetes mellitus, hypertension, preeclampsia/eclampsia, and prior cesarean deliveries than normal weight parturients. Obese and morbidly obese women were also less likely to have a non-spontaneous conception, enter labor spontaneously (observed in the full study population and in a subgroup of term parturients), and were more likely to undergo cesarean rather than vaginal delivery. Subgroup analysis of primiparous women yielded similar results.ConclusionsWe identified a potential association between pre-pregnancy obesity and morbid obesity and higher rates of obstetric comorbidities, less natural conception and spontaneous labor, and more cesarean deliveries and adverse delivery outcomes. It remains to be seen if these findings remain after adjustment and whether they are related to obesity, treatment, or both.

Maternal Mortality Over a Seven-Year Period of Conflict at Jiblah Referral Hospital in Ibb City, Yemen: A Retrospective Observational Study.

Background Fragile and conflict-affected states contribute to more than 60% of the global burden of maternal mortality. There is an alarming need for research exploring maternal health service access, quality, and adaptive responses during armed conflict. This study aims to review all cases of maternal mortality during a seven-year period of conflict at Jiblah Referral Hospital, Ibb, Yemen. Methodology A retrospective, observational study was conducted between 2011 and 2017, including all maternal deaths that occurred at Jiblah Referral Hospital, Ibb, Yemen. Data on maternal demographics, characteristics, intrapartum care, and cause of death were collected. Additionally, we compared patient characteristics according to residency (rural versus urban). Results During the study period, of the 2,803 pregnant women admitted to our hospital, 52 maternal deaths occurred. Their mean age was 29.0 ± 6.2 years, and most (63.5%) were aged less than 30 years. Most (88.5%) did not have a regular antenatal care visit, were referred cases (86.5%), were residents of rural areas (63.5%), and had a low socioeconomic condition (59.6%). The majority of maternal deaths were reported among women with gestational age (GA) of 24-34 weeks (57.7%) and primiparas women (42.3%). At hospital arrival, the majority of cases were in shock (69.2%). The majority of the mothers died during the intrapartum period (46.2%). The main cause of death was severe bleeding (32.7%), followed by eclampsia (25.0%). The mean time from admission to death was 3.0 ± 1.2 days (range = 1-6). Among all maternal deaths, 76.9%, 75.0%, and 26.9% had delays in seeking care, delays in reaching first-level health facilities, and delays in receiving adequate care in a facility, respectively. Additionally, most patients had at least two delays (57.7%). These delays were due to unawareness of danger signs in 57.7% and illiteracy and ignorance in 78.8% of cases. In comparison, according to residency, maternal mortality was statistically significant among mothers living in a rural area with GA of 25-34 weeks (24 vs. 6, p = 0.015). Additionally, maternal mortality due to delay in seeking care, unawareness of danger signs, and having at least two delays were statistically significant among rural mothers (p < 0.05). Conclusions Our study demonstrates that maternal deaths occurred among young women, referred cases, with no regular antenatal care visits, low socioeconomic conditions, and who were residents of rural areas. Delays in seeking care and delays in reaching first-level health facilities were the most common causes of maternal death due to unawareness of danger signs, illiteracy, and ignorance. We recommend that imparting basic skills and improving awareness in the community about the danger signs of pregnancy can be effective measures to detect maternal complications at an earlier stage, especially in rural areas.

The prevalence of obstetric violence experienced by women during childbirth care and its associated factors in Türkiye: A cross-sectional study

Objective This study determined the prevalence of obstetric violence experienced by women during childbirth and related factors in Türkiye.Design Cross-sectional studySetting This study was conducted in the mother-child health and gynecology outpatient clinics of the training and research hospital in Türkiye.Participants The study was completed with 513 women who gave birth in the last two years between January and May 2022.Methods Data were collected using a questionnaire prepared by the researchers. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyzed the relationship between obstetric violence and socio-demographic and obstetric characteristics.Findings Obstetric violence was reported by 76.4% of the women: 44.4% physical abuse, 44.4% abandonment of care, 26.5% non-consented care, 25.1% non-dignified care, 3.3% non-confidential care, and 0.4% discrimination. Low income (OR=1.98), physician-attended birth (OR=2.91), vaginal birth (OR=6.04), and newborn admission to the neonatal care unit (OR=2.99) were associated with higher reporting of obstetric violence. Primiparous women (OR=0.51), whose pain was controlled by non-pharmacological methods (OR=0.34) and who received companion support (OR=0.24) were less likely to report experiencing obstetric violence (p < 0.05).Key conclusions Approximately three out of four Turkish women report that they have been exposed to obstetric violence during childbirth. In Türkiye, vaginal birth is the type of childbirth with the highest rate of obstetric violence reporting. Women who are low-income and multiparous, who are deprived of midwife, companion, and pain control support during childbirth, are more likely to experience obstetric violence.Implications for practice Supporting low-income women, protecting women from traumatic acts and unnecessary interventions in a vaginal birth, increasing births under the attendance of midwives, and providing pain control with non-pharmacological methods, and companion support during labor may be protective factors against obstetric violence.

Perinatal pathology for women with reproductive losses in anamnesis

Perinatal aspects of miscarriage, despite progress in the study of pathogenetic mechanisms, continue to be leading in modern obstetrics. The presence of even one case of miscarriage in a woman’s anamnesis negatively affects her further reproductive function, affects the course and outcome of the next pregnancy, and even pre-pregnancy correction of detected disorders does not always allow to achieve the desired result - the birth of a healthy child. The issues of prediction, prevention, and prevention of perinatal complications require a clear understanding of the mechanism of influence of the threat of spontaneous abortion and premature birth on the fetus. Placental dysfunction can have serious consequences during pregnancy, affecting both mother and baby. Therefore, it is very important to study the relationship between potential risk groups, such as women with a history of recurrent pregnancy loss, and placental dysfunction. Perinatal pathology for women with reproductive losses in anamnesis. Based on the germination of a pathogeny of unmaturing of pregnancy and violations of placenta dysfunction, previous abortions in anamnesis can be related to the enhanced able risk of violations of placenta dysfunction. Comparing primiparous women, in which there were abortions in anamnesis, to the control group of women giving birth, can bring the overvalue of risks, as for the primiparous women of violation of placenta dysfunction more widespread, than for women giving birth. It is set that the most closely-coupled interface from preeclampsia was observed for patients with premature births of &lt;37 weeks of gestation, but not in those, who gave in a term. Found out the theenhanceable risk of preeclampsia at the repeated losses of pregnancy, but only at the presence of an anamnesis of auxiliary genesial technologies. Other research it was not succeeded to find out the higher risk of preeclampsia for women with repeated loss of pregnancy, that it is possible to explain the small population and absence of a clear determination of the sequence of abortions. The repeated loss of pregnancy is a studied not enough problem, which causes serious disturbance in pair which try to create a family. Separate patients can have isolated infertility, repeated spontaneous abortions, or repeated losses in the ІІ and ІІІ trimesters. However much epidemiology information testify to strong intercommunication between these unfavorable results. The set reasons for the repeated loss of pregnancy include a hormonal disbalance, anomalies oogenesis highway, genetic or chromosomal anomalies, psychosocial, autoimmune diseases, and, possibly, immunological incompatibility of mother and fetus.

Impact of household income and Special Supplemental Nutritional Program for Women, Infants, and Children on feeding decisions for infants in the United States

Despite the known benefits of breastfeeding to infants and mothers, previous studies have demonstrated that underserved women are less likely to exclusively breastfeed. Existing studies on the impact of Special Supplemental Nutritional Program for Women, Infants, and Children enrollment on feeding decisions for infants have conflicting results with low-quality data and metrics. This study aimed to examine infant feeding trends nationally in the first week postpartum over a 10-year period, comparing breastfeeding rates for primiparous women with low income who used Special Supplemental Nutritional Program for Women, Infants, and Children resources with those women who did not enroll. We hypothesized that although the Special Supplemental Nutritional Program for Women, Infants, and Children is an important resource for new mothers, free formula associated with enrollment in the Special Supplemental Nutritional Program for Women, Infants, and Children may disincentivize women to exclusively breastfeed. This was a retrospective cohort study of primiparous women with singleton gestations who gave birth at term and who responded to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System between 2009 and 2018. Data were extracted from phases 6, 7, and 8 of the survey. Women with low income were defined as those with a reported annual household income of $35,000 or less. The primary outcome was exclusive breastfeeding after 1 week postpartum. Secondary outcomes included ever breastfeeding, any breastfeeding after 1 week postpartum, and introduction of other liquids within 1 week postpartum. Multivariable logistic regression was used to refine risk estimates with adjustment for mode of delivery, household size, education level, insurance status, diabetes, hypertension, race, age, and BMI. Among the 42,778 women with low income who were identified, 29,289 (68%) of these women reported receiving Special Supplemental Nutritional Program for Women, Infants, and Children resources. There was no significant difference in the rates of exclusive breastfeeding after 1 week postpartum between those enrolled in the Special Supplemental Nutritional Program for Women, Infants, and Children and those not enrolled (adjusted risk ratio, 1.04; 95% confidence interval, 1.00-1.07; P=.10). However, those enrolled were less likely to ever breastfeed (adjusted risk ratio, 0.95; 95% confidence interval, 0.94-0.95; P<.01) and were more likely to introduce other liquids within 1 week postpartum (adjusted risk ratio, 1.16; 95% confidence interval, 1.11-1.21; P<.01). Although exclusive breastfeeding rates after 1 week postpartum were similar, women enrolled in the Special Supplemental Nutritional Program for Women, Infants, and Children were significantly less likely to ever breastfeed and more likely to introduce formula within the first week postpartum. This suggests that Special Supplemental Nutritional Program for Women, Infants, and Children enrollment may impact the decision to initiate breastfeeding and may represent an important window to test future interventions.

Utility of the capability, opportunity, and motivation behaviour (COM-B) model in explaining the negative association between pre-pregnancy body mass index and exclusive breastfeeding at six weeks postpartum

The mechanisms underlying the negative associations between pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) and exclusive breastfeeding remain poorly understood. Thus, the study aimed to determine whether the negative associations between high pre-pregnancy BMI and exclusive breastfeeding at six weeks postpartum are mediated by components of the capability, opportunity, and motivation behaviour (COM-B) model. In this prospective observational study, we assigned 360 primiparous women to a pre-pregnancy overweight/obese group (n = 180) and a normal-BMI group (n = 180). A structural equation model was designed to study how capabilities (onset of lactogenesis II, perceived milk supply, breastfeeding knowledge, and postpartum depression), opportunities (pro-breastfeeding hospital practices, social influence, social support), and motivations (breastfeeding intention, breastfeeding self-efficacy, and attitudes towards breastfeeding) affected exclusive breastfeeding at six weeks postpartum in groups of women with different pre-pregnancy BMIs. In all, 342 participants (95.0%) possessed complete data. Women with high pre-pregnancy BMI were less likely to exclusively breastfeed at six weeks postpartum than women with a normal BMI were. We observed a significant negative direct effect of high pre-pregnancy BMI on exclusive breastfeeding at six weeks postpartum and a significantly negative indirect effect of high pre-pregnancy BMI via the explanatory mediating variables of capabilities (onset of lactogenesis II, perceived milk supply, and breastfeeding knowledge) and motivations (breastfeeding self-efficacy) on exclusive breastfeeding at six weeks postpartum. Our findings support certain capabilities (onset of lactogenesis II, perceived milk supply, and breastfeeding knowledge) and motivations (breastfeeding self-efficacy), partially explaining the negative association between high pre-pregnancy BMI and exclusive breastfeeding outcome. We suggest that interventions aimed at promoting exclusive breastfeeding among women with high pre-pregnancy BMI should address the capacity and motivation factors specific to this population.

Effects of flexible sacrum position at birth on maternal and neonatal outcomes: A retrospective cohort study.

To examine the differences in both maternal and neonatal outcomes between flexible and non-flexible sacrum positions at birth. A descriptive, cross-sectional, retrospective study was carried out on a sample oflow-risk pregnant women. Univariate and multivariate logistic regressions and multivariate linear regressions were conducted to estimate the association between our discrete or continuous variables of interest. Maternal outcomes were perineal tear, maternal blood loss, second stage length; neonatal outcomes were Apgar scores and neonatal asphyxia. Results were adjusted for maternal age, neonatal birth weight, and epidural analgesia. We considered for final analysis 2198 women. In primiparous women, women giving birth in the all-fours position were significantly more likely to have an intact perineum (P = 0.011) and a shorter length of the second stage of labor (P = 0.022). Maternal age (P = 0.005) and neonatal weight (P = 0.013) significantly increased perineal tearing; maternal age (P = 0.004) and neonatal birth weight (P < 0.001) were significantly associated with a higher amount of blood loss. Maternal age (P = 0.002) and neonatal weight (P < 0.001) significantly increased the length of the second stage of labor. For multiparous women, the side-lying position was significantly correlated with an intact perineum (P = 0.031); maternal age and intact perineum were statistically inversely associated. Epidural analgesia significantly increased the length of the second stage of labor in both nulliparous (P < 0.001) and pluriparous women (P < 0.001). No significant differences were found in neonatal outcomes. Women with a low-risk labor should be free to choose their birth position as flexible sacrum positions are shown to increase maternal well-being and do not affect neonatal health.