Journal of obstetrics and gynaecology : the journal of the Institute of Obstetrics and Gynaecology
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Iron deficiency anaemia is the most common nutritional disorder in the world. Pregnant women are at especially high risk of iron deficiency and anaemia because of significantly increased iron requirements during pregnancy. Iron supplementation during pregnancy has been recommended for women in the developing world, since usually no basic changes occur in the composition of the diet. ⋯ The percentage of anaemic women increased from 29.6% in the first trimester to 34% in the third trimester. Anaemia was significantly associated with non-compliance with iron supplementation, the adjusted OR was 6.19 95% CI 2.55-15.02, p < 0.0001. Strategies to improve compliance and effective iron supplementation among pregnant women should be implemented.
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We studied a random sample of four teams of doctors and midwives who participated in a videotaped simulated obstetric emergency, postpartum haemorrhage, before and after 'on-site' clinical training. We aimed to assess the validity of mixed techniques for the analysis of team communication and whether clinical and non-clinical team training improve communication. Two of the four teams received extra training in specific teamwork behaviours (TW+), the other half received only clinical training (TW-). ⋯ Teams that received additional teamwork training used more directed commands after training. When commands were directed to specific individuals, tasks were more likely to be acknowledged and performed. We conclude that 'on-site' clinical drills can improve team communication in simulated emergencies, and additional teamwork training might improve this further, but it has to be refined and made obstetric specific first.
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Relationship between visually estimated blood loss at delivery and postpartum change in haematocrit.
This study was to assess blood loss using visual estimation and change in postpartum haematocrit value following vaginal delivery, and to study any relationship that may exist. A total of 152 parturients who had had vaginal delivery were studied. Blood loss at delivery was visually estimated. ⋯ It was concluded that postpartum haematocrit has a significant negative non-linear correlation with VEBL. In the absence of primary postpartum haemorrhage, majority of women have either the same or an increased haematocrit following vaginal delivery. Consequently, routine haematocrit estimation in parturients with visual estimated blood loss of <500 ml barely confers any cost benefit.