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Women and Birth : Journal of the... Nov 2021The birth environment can help or hinder physiological birth and influence a woman's level of satisfaction with birth.
BACKGROUND
The birth environment can help or hinder physiological birth and influence a woman's level of satisfaction with birth.
AIM
This paper gives new theoretical insights into how spatial architecture influences birthing women and their birth processes. It builds the architectural awareness of midwives/ designers need by linking design regulations/recommendations and experiential aspects of birth spaces architecture.
METHODS
Two qualitative methods were used: (1) a regulation/policy document critique, and (2) childbearing women's spatial experiences explored in semi-structured interviews with drawing methods (24 mothers in a case study location in the north of England, UK). Themes emerged from semiotic (documents/visual data) and thematic (transcripts) analysis, and their relationships explored.
FINDINGS
The regulatory documents revealed four spatial categorization concepts: (1) medical risk; (2) a tripartite clinical approach; (3) single-function birth space; and (4) a woman-centered approach. In contrast, women experience birth spaces architecture as an amalgam of all the spaces they use and in affective, interpersonal. Two patterns of spatial use emerged from the interviews: (1) 'wait and transfer' (more common in healthcare buildings); and (2) 'curate and prosume' (more common in women's homes). Women gave greater positive descriptions of the 'curate and prosume' pattern.
CONCLUSIONS
The influence of building regulations on hospital settings and women's prior experiences of such spaces through appointments and antenatal education, shape women's spatial experiences of childbirth. This new evidence can act as a catalyst to evolve birth space design towards delivering woman-centered and personalized care in spaces designed for women to 'curate and prosume'.
Topics: Delivery, Obstetric; Female; Humans; Midwifery; Mothers; Parturition; Pregnancy; Qualitative Research
PubMed: 33341363
DOI: 10.1016/j.wombi.2020.11.003 -
Scientific Reports Jan 2018The Old World non-human primates (NHP) - baboons (Papio spp.) share similarities with humans regarding fetal and placental development and some pregnancy-related...
The Old World non-human primates (NHP) - baboons (Papio spp.) share similarities with humans regarding fetal and placental development and some pregnancy-related complications. Information about the mechanism of birth and complications arising during parturition in these species is relatively sparse. In this manuscript, we add information from a series of pathological and observational cases to highlight insights and selected complications of birth in Papio spp, based on video-recording of the delivery process, X-ray, MRI, and ultrasound evaluations in pregnant baboons. Additionally, we abstracted pathology records obtained from perinatal loss in a large baboon colony during a 17 year period. The presented cases provide important information for the management of pregnancy and delivery in Papio spp.
Topics: Animals; Female; Gestational Age; Labor, Obstetric; Male; Papio; Parturition; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications
PubMed: 29352119
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-19221-4 -
BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth Feb 2016Considerable debate surrounds the influence media have on first-time pregnant women. Much of the academic literature discusses the influence of (reality) television,... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Considerable debate surrounds the influence media have on first-time pregnant women. Much of the academic literature discusses the influence of (reality) television, which often portrays birth as risky, dramatic and painful and there is evidence that this has a negative effect on childbirth in society, through the increasing anticipation of negative outcomes. It is suggested that women seek out such programmes to help understand what could happen during the birth because there is a cultural void. However the impact that has on normal birth has not been explored.
METHODS
A scoping review relating to the representation of childbirth in the mass media, particularly on television.
RESULTS
Three key themes emerged: (a) medicalisation of childbirth; (b) women using media to learn about childbirth; and (c) birth as a missing everyday life event.
CONCLUSION
Media appear to influence how women engage with childbirth. The dramatic television portrayal of birth may perpetuate the medicalisation of childbirth, and last, but not least, portrayals of normal birth are often missing in the popular media. Hence midwives need to engage with television producers to improve the representation of midwifery and maternity in the media.
Topics: Attitude to Health; Delivery, Obstetric; Female; Humans; Information Seeking Behavior; Mass Media; Medicalization; Midwifery; Parturition; Pregnancy; Pregnant Women; Television
PubMed: 26928660
DOI: 10.1186/s12884-016-0827-x -
Matrix Biology : Journal of the... May 2019Cervical hyaluronan (HA) synthesis is robustly induced in late pregnancy in numerous species including women and mice. Recent evidence highlights the diverse and dynamic... (Review)
Review
Cervical hyaluronan (HA) synthesis is robustly induced in late pregnancy in numerous species including women and mice. Recent evidence highlights the diverse and dynamic functions of HA in cervical biology that stem from its expression in the cervical stroma, epithelia and immune cells, changes in HA molecular weight and cell specific expression of HA binding partners. Mice deficient in HA in the lower reproductive tract confirm a structural role of HA to increase spacing and disorganization of fibrillar collagen, though this function is not critical for pregnancy and parturition. In addition, cervical HA depletion via targeted deletion of HA synthase genes, disrupts cell signaling required for the differentiation of epithelia and their mucosal and junctional barrier, resulting in increased susceptibility to ascending infection-mediated preterm birth. Finally the generation of HA disaccharides by bacterial hyaluronidases as made by Group B streptococcus can ligate toll like receptors TLR2/4 thus preventing appropriate inflammatory responses as needed to fight ascending infection and preterm birth. This review summarizes our current understanding of HA's novel and unique roles in cervical remodeling in the process of birth.
Topics: Animals; Cell Differentiation; Cervix Uteri; Female; Fibrillar Collagens; Humans; Hyaluronan Synthases; Hyaluronic Acid; Mice; Parturition; Pregnancy; Premature Birth
PubMed: 29510230
DOI: 10.1016/j.matbio.2018.03.002 -
Midwifery Nov 2022Maternity health professionals (MHPs) caring for women may witness or be involved in traumatic births. This can be associated with MHPs experiencing secondary traumatic... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVES
Maternity health professionals (MHPs) caring for women may witness or be involved in traumatic births. This can be associated with MHPs experiencing secondary traumatic stress (STS) or probable post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which may impact MHPs emotionally and physically. The aims of this review were therefore to determine: (i) the prevalence of STS and PTSD in maternity health professionals; and (ii) the impact of witnessing birth trauma on maternity health professionals.
METHODS
A mixed-methods systematic review was carried out by conducting literature searches on CINAHL, MEDLINE, PsychARTICLES, PsychINFO and PsychTESTS databases. Searches were conducted from the inception of databases up to February 2022 using search terms on MHPs and birth trauma combined. Methodological quality and bias were assessed. Data were synthesised using thematic synthesis.
RESULTS
A total of 18 studies were included in the review. Sample size ranged from 9 to 2,165 (total N = 8,630). Participants included midwives, nurses and obstetricians aged 18-77 years. Many MHPs had witnessed a traumatic birth event (45% - 96.9%) with the prevalence of STS ranging from 12.6%-38.7% and the proportion of participants meeting diagnostic criteria for PTSD ranging from 3.1%-46%. MHPs reported positive and negative effects associated with witnessing traumatic birth events. Synthesis of quantitative and qualitative papers identified five themes: Negative emotions and symptoms; Responsibility and regret; Impact on practice and care; Challenging professional identity; and Team support being essential.
DISCUSSION
Witnessing traumatic birth events is associated with profound emotional and physical impacts on MHPs, signifying the importance of acknowledging and addressing this in the maternity workforce. It is important to raise awareness of the impact of birth trauma on MHPs. Effective education and training guidelines, a supervisory network, ways to change practice and policy, and support and treatment should be provided to assist and improve the outcomes and work-life of MHPs' who witness traumatic births.
Topics: Humans; Female; Pregnancy; Parturition; Midwifery; Nurse Midwives; Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic; Birth Injuries
PubMed: 36058189
DOI: 10.1016/j.midw.2022.103460 -
Women and Birth : Journal of the... Feb 2023Birth environments can help support women through labour and birth. Home-like rooms which encourage active birthing are embraced in midwifery-led settings. However, this... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Birth environments can help support women through labour and birth. Home-like rooms which encourage active birthing are embraced in midwifery-led settings. However, this is often not reflected in obstetric settings for women with more complex pregnancies.
AIM
To investigate the impact of the birth environment for women with complex pregnancies.
METHODS
This was a mixed-methods systematic review, incorporating qualitative and quantitative research. A literature search was implemented across three databases (Medline, CINAHL, Embase) from the year 2000 to June 2021. Studies were eligible if they were based in an Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development country and reported on birth environments for women with complex pregnancies. Papers were screened and quality appraised by two researchers independently.
FINDINGS
30,345 records were returned, with 15 articles meeting inclusion criteria. Studies were based in Australia, the UK, and the USA. Participants included women and health professionals. Five main themes arose: Quality of care and experience; Supportive spaces for women; Supportive spaces for midwives; Control of the space; Design issues.
DISCUSSION
Women and midwives found the birth environment important in supporting, or failing to support, a positive birth experience. Obstetric environments are complex spaces requiring balance between space for women to mobilise and access birthing aids, with the need for medical teams to have easy access to the woman and equipment in emergencies.
CONCLUSION
Further research is needed investigating different users' needs from the environment and how safety features can be balanced with comfort to provide high-quality care and positive experiences for women.
Topics: Female; Humans; Pregnancy; Health Personnel; Labor, Obstetric; Midwifery; Parturition; Qualitative Research; Quality of Health Care
PubMed: 35431173
DOI: 10.1016/j.wombi.2022.04.008 -
Cell Cycle (Georgetown, Tex.) 2017Senescence contributes to the local and systemic aging of tissues and has been associated with age-related diseases. Recently, roles for this process during pregnancy... (Review)
Review
Senescence contributes to the local and systemic aging of tissues and has been associated with age-related diseases. Recently, roles for this process during pregnancy have come to light, the dysregulation of which has been associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes such as preterm birth. Here, we summarize recent advances that support a role for senescence in birth timing and propose new aspects of study in this emerging field.
Topics: Aging; Animals; Apoptosis; Cellular Senescence; Female; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Male; Parturition; Pregnancy; Premature Birth; Time Factors
PubMed: 28873006
DOI: 10.1080/15384101.2017.1371888 -
Birth (Berkeley, Calif.) Mar 2022Much of the emerging research on the effects of SARS-CoV-2 disease (COVID-19) on pregnant people and their infants has been clinical, devoting little attention to how...
BACKGROUND
Much of the emerging research on the effects of SARS-CoV-2 disease (COVID-19) on pregnant people and their infants has been clinical, devoting little attention to how the pandemic has affected families navigating pregnancy and birth. This study examined the perspectives of doulas, or nonclinical labor support professionals, on how pregnancy and birth experiences and maternal health care delivery systems changed in the early weeks of the COVID-19 pandemic.
METHODS
Semi-structured interviews using open-ended questions were conducted over the phone with 15 birth doulas. Doulas were invited to participate because of their close relationships with pregnant and birthing people and the comprehensive support they offer. The interview transcripts were analyzed inductively.
RESULTS
Doulas' clients faced three predominant COVID-19-related pregnancy and birth challenges: (a) fear of exposure; (b) limited access to their expected support systems; and (c) uncertainties surrounding hospital restrictions on labor and birth. Doulas responded creatively to help their clients confront these challenges. Participants expressed various criticisms of how maternal health care systems handled the emerging crisis, argued that COVID-19 exposed preexisting weaknesses in US maternity care, and called for a coordinated care model involving doulas.
DISCUSSION
Doulas' close relationships with pregnant people enabled them to be an important source of support during the COVID-19 pandemic. Added to the larger body of work on the impacts of doula care, this study supports widespread calls for universally integrating doulas into maternity care systems as a targeted strategy to better support pregnant and birthing people in both crisis and noncrisis situations.
Topics: COVID-19; Doulas; Female; Humans; Maternal Health Services; Pandemics; Parturition; Pregnancy; SARS-CoV-2; United States
PubMed: 34296466
DOI: 10.1111/birt.12580 -
Rural and Remote Health 2015With the colonization of the Americas came the eventual stigmatization of Aboriginal women and their traditional birthing methods. Gradual introduction of Western... (Review)
Review
With the colonization of the Americas came the eventual stigmatization of Aboriginal women and their traditional birthing methods. Gradual introduction of Western ideology and medicine led to government pressure to medicalize birth. Women were eventually flown to southern hospitals with immediate medical and surgical services available to ensure 'safer' deliveries and thereby improve serious maternal and infant morbidity and mortality statistics that were becoming too obvious to ignore. This process led to devastating consequences for women and families, which are still being felt today. The history of colonization of birth for Aboriginal families is discussed, with current strategies to alleviate this suffering in the north. Proposals for change from the Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada (SOGC) are discussed. The role of the nurse is described, including being culturally competent, fostering an environment of respect, dispelling myths and stereotypes, ensuring research involving Aboriginal peoples is done ethically, and promoting pursuing a career in health care.
Topics: Canada; Cultural Competency; Delivery, Obstetric; Female; Humans; Inuit; Nurse Practitioners; Nurse's Role; Parturition; Rural Population
PubMed: 25710699
DOI: No ID Found -
Philosophical Transactions of the Royal... Mar 2015The pelvis performs two major functions for terrestrial mammals. It provides somewhat rigid support for muscles engaged in locomotion and, for females, it serves as the... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study Review
The pelvis performs two major functions for terrestrial mammals. It provides somewhat rigid support for muscles engaged in locomotion and, for females, it serves as the birth canal. The result for many species, and especially for encephalized primates, is an 'obstetric dilemma' whereby the neonate often has to negotiate a tight squeeze in order to be born. On top of what was probably a baseline of challenging birth, locomotor changes in the evolution of bipedalism in the human lineage resulted in an even more complex birth process. Negotiation of the bipedal pelvis requires a series of rotations, the end of which has the infant emerging from the birth canal facing the opposite direction from the mother. This pattern, strikingly different from what is typically seen in monkeys and apes, places a premium on having assistance at delivery. Recently reported observations of births in monkeys and apes are used to compare the process in human and non-human primates, highlighting similarities and differences. These include presentation (face, occiput anterior or posterior), internal and external rotation, use of the hands by mothers and infants, reliance on assistance, and the developmental state of the neonate.
Topics: Adaptation, Biological; Animals; Biological Evolution; Female; History, Ancient; Humans; Labor Presentation; Midwifery; Parturition; Pelvis; Pregnancy; Primates; Species Specificity
PubMed: 25602069
DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2014.0065