Journal of obstetric, gynecologic, and neonatal nursing : JOGNN
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To evaluate the scientific literature on restrictions of eating and drinking during labor. ⋯ Little is known about the differences in labor progress, birth outcomes, and neonatal status between mothers who consume food and/or fluids during labor and women who fast during labor. Research also is needed on the effects of epidural opioids on gastric emptying, nutritional requirements during labor, and the physiologic implications of fasting during labor. Fasting during labor is a tradition that continues with no evidence of improved outcomes for mother or newborn. Many facilities (especially birth centers) do not restrict eating and drinking. Across the United States, most hospitals restrict intake, usually to ice chips and sips of clear liquids. Anesthesia studies have focused on gastric emptying, measured by various techniques, presuming that delayed gastric emptying predisposes women to aspiration. Narcotic analgesia delays gastric emptying, but results are conflicting on the effect of normal labor and of epidural anesthesia on gastric emptying. The effect of fasting in labor on the fetus and newborn and on the course of labor has not been studied adequately. Only one study evaluated the probable risk of maternal aspiration mortality, which is approximately 7 in 10 million births.
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J Obstet Gynecol Neonatal Nurs · Jul 1999
Comparative StudyNeonatal axillary temperature measurements: a comparison of electronic thermometer predictive and monitor modes.
To determine whether predictive mode axillary temperature measurement is accurate in full-term newborns. ⋯ The use of predictive mode temperature measurement at the axillary site in full-term healthy newborns is supported by this study. Although mean placement time for monitor mode temperature stabilization was 3 minutes, almost half of the sample did not achieve a stabilized temperature within this time. Further study is recommended in this area.
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J Obstet Gynecol Neonatal Nurs · Jan 1998
Female genital mutilation: when a cultural practice generates clinical and ethical dilemmas.
Female genital mutilation (FGM) is of growing concern to health care providers in the United States and Canada as more women from countries where the procedure is practiced emigrate to North America. An introduction to the demographics of FGM, including prevalence rates, is a necessary antecedent for understanding the cultural rationales for this widespread practice. Considering the health consequences of this practice promotes questions about legal and ethical aspects of care as North Americans approach FGM from their own individual cultural frameworks.
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This article examines the traditional and modern cultural elements that may influence the health behaviors of the childbearing Korean woman and suggests ways to provide culturally sensitive care. The first author, born and raised in Korea, shares her reflections of culture and examples of clinical situations in Korea. Implications for nursing care are addressed through specific cultural prescriptions. Do's and don'ts are presented to foster culturally appropriate care for Korean childbearing women.
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J Obstet Gynecol Neonatal Nurs · Sep 1997
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialSemi-Fowler's positioning, lateral tilts, and their effects on nonstress tests.
To determine whether a lateral tilt for women in semi-Fowler's position for antepartum nonstress tests (NSTs) (a) promotes NST reactivity or (b) shortens testing time required to obtain a reactive tracing. ⋯ No statistically or clinically significant differences were found in nonstress tests between the three groups. Lateral tilting did not shorten test time. Results do suggest that hemodynamic changes can occur in 3rd trimester women who are in semi-Fowler's position without a lateral tilt. Lateral tilting of gravidas in semi-Fowler's position during nonstress testing is thus supported to avoid hypotensive symptoms.