Journal of midwifery & women's health
-
This article reviews clinical and program issues in the prevention of mother to child transmission (PMTCT) of HIV in sub-Saharan Africa. Topics include prevention of infection, voluntary counseling and testing, prenatal care, labor and birth, postpartum, family planning, infant feeding, and the role of traditional birth attendants. Programs providing short-course antiretroviral therapy to prevent infant infection are contrasted with comprehensive programs offering antiretroviral therapy and medical care to mothers, children, and families. ⋯ They are the backbone of the new PMTCT programs and will be the largest group of health workers available to diagnose and treat opportunistic infections and dispense antiretroviral therapy. But they have received little training and support to provide AIDS care and treatment and are rarely consulted when plans are made about workforce issues and capacity development in the health sector. Clinical training, leadership skills, salary support, expansion of the nursing workforce, and development of expanded roles for nurses and midwives in AIDS care are needed to help them turn the tide of the epidemic.
-
J Midwifery Womens Health · Jan 2005
ReviewA literature review of the effectiveness of ginger in alleviating mild-to-moderate nausea and vomiting of pregnancy.
Mild-to-moderate nausea and vomiting of pregnancy affects up to 80% of all pregnancies. Concern about antiemetic use and the time-limited nature of symptoms has restrained the development of effective treatment approaches, yet supportive, dietary, and lifestyle changes may be ineffective. This article reviews 4 recent well-controlled, double-blind, randomized clinical studies that provide convincing evidence for the effectiveness of ginger in treating nausea and vomiting of pregnancy. It also provides a dosage update for the various forms of ginger.
-
J Midwifery Womens Health · Jan 2005
Historical ArticleThe American College of Nurse-Midwives and its antecedents: a historic time line.
In celebration of the 50th anniversary of the American College of Nurse-Midwives, this time line presents a chronologic history of the development of nurse-midwifery in the United States. It places the introduction of nurse-midwifery in American health care into its historic context and follows the evolution of the profession through early attempts at forming a national organization, the eventual formation of the American College of Nurse-Midwifery, and the subsequent merger with the American Association of Nurse-Midwives, to create the American College of Nurse-Midwives. The work of the College between 1955 and the turn of the 21st century is highlighted.
-
J Midwifery Womens Health · Nov 2004
ReviewThe neuromatrix theory of pain: implications for selected nonpharmacologic methods of pain relief for labor.
Women experience the pain of labor differently, with many factors contributing to their overall perception of pain. The neuromatrix theory of pain provides a framework that may explain why selected nonpharmacologic methods of pain relief can be quite effective for the relief of pain for the laboring woman. The concept of a pain "neuromatrix" suggests that perception of pain is simultaneously modulated by multiple influences. ⋯ Wall. This article reviews several nonpharmacologic methods of pain relief with implications for the practicing clinician. Providing adequate pain relief during labor and birth is an important component of caring for women during labor and birth.
-
J Midwifery Womens Health · Nov 2004
ReviewUpdate on nonpharmacologic approaches to relieve labor pain and prevent suffering.
The control of labor pain and prevention of suffering are major concerns of clinicians and their clients. Nonpharmacologic approaches toward these goals are consistent with midwifery management and the choices of many women. We undertook a literature search of scientific articles cataloged in CINAHL, PUBMED, the Cochrane Library, and AMED databases relating to the effectiveness of 13 non-pharmacologic methods used to relieve pain and reduce suffering in labor. ⋯ Acupuncture, massage, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, and hypnosis are promising, but they require further study. The effectiveness of childbirth education, relaxation and breathing, heat and cold, acupressure, hypnosis, aromatherapy, music, and audioanalgesia are either inadequately studied or findings are too variable to draw conclusions on effectiveness. All the methods studied had evidence of widespread satisfaction among a majority of users.