Women and birth : journal of the Australian College of Midwives
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An important part of maternity service provision is the care provided by midwives in the immediate postpartum period. Evidence suggests that postpartum morbidity and its impact on women's health after childbirth is an area of genuine concern. In Western Australia there is limited information on women's postpartum health needs and/or the quality of midwifery care provided in hospital and at home. This paper describes Western Australian (WA) women's perceptions of midwifery care in the early postpartum period. ⋯ Although the majority of women in this study were satisfied with the components of physical care and information and assistance with infant feeding and sleep and settling provided in the short-term, there was less satisfaction with emotional care and preparation for life at home with a new baby. This study adds to our understandings of women's experiences of the early postnatal period and provides information on which to base improvements in postnatal care and maternity services in WA and across Australia.
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The reduction of time available to midwives during the hospital postnatal stay suggests that there is a need to review postnatal care. Innovative strategies are required which give attention to specific family needs and assist in the transition to parenthood. Nevertheless, new ideas and changes are not always readily accepted in midwifery practice. ⋯ It appears that the provision of hospital postnatal care has been influenced by an underlying culture in midwifery practice, which in turn, has impeded the change required to enhance postnatal care.
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To search literature published on the administration of intradermal sterile water injections to women in labour who experience severe low back pain, and to critically evaluate the evidence for therapeutic merit. ⋯ Intradermal injections of sterile water possess powerful analgesic benefits for women experiencing low back pain in labour and their use in this therapeutic setting is justifiable.
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Multicenter Study
Effect of audit and feedback on the availability, utilisation and quality of emergency obstetric care in three districts in Malawi.
Facility-based maternal death reviews and criterion-based clinical audit, were introduced in three districts in Malawi in 2006. ⋯ There is need to increase availability of emergency obstetric care by upgrading some health centres to EmOC level through training of staff and provision of equipment and supplies.