Women and birth : journal of the Australian College of Midwives
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The aim of this study was to investigate the maternity care factors associated with exclusive breastfeeding duration at three months and six months postpartum in a setting without BFHI accrediation. ⋯ Results suggest that both intrapartum and postpartum maternity care practices can predict long-term breastfeeding success.
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Evidence suggests that pre-pregnancy body mass index and gestational weight gain have impact on pregnancy and birth weight, yet whether maternal gestational weight gain has a differential effect on the rates of adverse birth weight among women with different pre-pregnancy body mass index categories are unknown. ⋯ Women with abnormal pre-pregnancy body mass index and gestational weight gain are at risk for adverse birth weight outcomes. Moreover, gestational weight gain has a differential effect on the rates of adverse birth weight outcomes between women of different pre-pregnancy body mass index categories.
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There appears to be a chasm between idealised motherhood and reality, and for women who experience birth trauma this can be more extreme and impact on mental health. Australia is unique in providing residential parenting services to support women with parenting needs such as sleep or feeding difficulties. Women who attend residential parenting services have experienced higher rates of intervention in birth and poor perinatal mental health but it is unknown how birth trauma may impact on early parenting. ⋯ How women are cared for during their labour, birth and postnatal period impacts on how they manage early parenthood. Support is crucial for women, including practical parenting support, and emotional support by health professionals and peers.
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The description of women's experiences of childbirth improves our understandings of the nature of childbirth, women's suffering and pain during childbirth. ⋯ Most participants had positive experiences and attitudes towards pain during childbirth influenced by cultural, context and religious factors. According to this study, 'transcendental progression' was an eminent feeling that created positive inner feelings along with self-actualization in women. This provides a new insight on labor pain and helps healthcare providers understand the effect of pain during childbirth on women's spiritual, mental and psychological needs.
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Vaginal birth after caesarean section is a safe option for the majority of women. Seeking women's views can be of help in understanding factors of importance for achieving vaginal birth in countries where the vaginal birth rates after caesarean is low. ⋯ Women's decision-making about vaginal birth after caesarean in these countries involves a complex, multidimensional interplay of medical, psychosocial, cultural, personal and practical considerations. Further research is needed to explore if the information deficit women report negatively affects their ability to make informed choices, and to understand what matters most to women when making decisions about vaginal birth after a previous caesarean as a mode of birth.