Midwifery
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The use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) has become increasingly prevalent in industrialised countries, with women being the most prolific users. Some women continue to consume these therapies when they become pregnant. ⋯ Many women use complementary and alternative medicine when they are pregnant. Further research is needed to gain a greater understanding of the true prevalence and expectant women's motivation for the use of complementary and alternative medicine. Health-care professionals are encouraged to ask women about their use of these treatments and seek out relevant information.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Effects of birth ball exercise on pain and self-efficacy during childbirth: a randomised controlled trial in Taiwan.
To examine the effectiveness of a birth ball exercise programme during childbirth by measuring childbirth self-efficacy and childbirth pain. In addition, it tested the mediating effects of childbirth self-efficacy on the relationship between the birth ball exercise programme and childbirth pain. ⋯ Clinical implementation of the birth ball exercise programme could be an effective adjunctive tool to improve childbirth self-efficacy and reduce pain among women in labour. On the basis of our mediating model, the results further suggest that confidence is greater after prenatal preparation powerfully related to decreased pain perception and decreased medication/analgesia use during labour.
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to assess the effects of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) for pain relief in labour. ⋯ there is only limited evidence that TENS reduces pain in labour and it does not seem to have any impact on other outcomes for mothers or infants. The use of TENS at home in early labour has not been evaluated. Although the guidelines of the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence recommend that TENS should not be offered to women in labour, women appear to be choosing it and midwives are supporting them in their choice. Given the absence of adverse effects and the limited evidence base, it seems unreasonable to deny women that choice. More robust studies of effectiveness are needed.
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to describe the prevalence of women's preference for caesarean section as expressed in mid pregnancy, late pregnancy and one year post partum. An additional aim was to identify associated factors and investigate reasons for the preference. ⋯ rising caesarean section rates seem to be related to factors other than women's preferences. Ambivalence towards a way of giving birth is common during pregnancy. This should be of concern for midwives and obstetricians during antenatal care. Information and counselling should be frequent and comprehensive when a discussion on caesarean section is initiated by the pregnant woman. A negative birth experience is related to a future preference for caesarean section and this should be considered by caregivers providing intrapartum care.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Hi-TENS combined with PCA-morphine as post caesarean pain relief.
to examine effectiveness and overall opiate consumption between high-sensory transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (Hi-TENS) combined with patient-controlled analgesia with morphine and patient-controlled analgesia with morphine alone following elective (e.g. scheduled) caesarean birth. ⋯ pain relief from a combination of Hi-TENS and patient-controlled analgesia with morphine was as effective as patient-controlled analgesia with morphine alone, produced less sedation and reduced morphine use by approximately 50%. Women undergoing a caesarean section should be given the opportunity to make an informed choice about post operative pain relief before surgery. A presumed benefit of this treatment combination is that the mother is more alert and better able to interact with her newborn during the first hours after birth without drowsiness due to large doses of opiates.