The Australian & New Zealand journal of obstetrics & gynaecology
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Aust N Z J Obstet Gynaecol · Feb 1999
Quiet resting is not necessary prior to routine antenatal blood pressure measurement.
A premeasurement period of 5 minutes quiet resting is recommended prior to measuring blood pressure. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of this period of rest on the level of blood pressure in pregnant women. One hundred pregnant women had their blood pressure measured on a single visit using a QuietTrak ambulatory blood pressure monitor, used to remove human observer bias. ⋯ The corresponding diastolic values were 68.5 versus 65.6 (p = 0.34). Blood pressure was as likely to rise as to fall after a period of quiet rest. It is not necessary to have pregnant women quietly resting during routine visits before having blood pressure measured.
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Aust N Z J Obstet Gynaecol · Feb 1999
A survey of parturients using epidural analgesia during labour. Considerations relevant to antenatal educators.
The use of epidural analgesia (EA) during labour is increasing in Australasia. This highlights the need for improved educational and resource materials, current factual information about EA, and identification of consumer attitudes towards EA. In this survey, 350 parturients who had recently used EA for labour pain relief in a single maternity unit were asked to complete a questionnaire about their expectations and experience. ⋯ Anticipated pain during epidural placement was significantly greater than that experienced. Satisfaction with EA was high, although 36% described unpleasant or annoying effects associated with EA. Parent educators and epidural service providers should be aided by knowledge of where parturients obtain information and of consumer views about EA.