Midwives’ Perceptions Regarding the Use of the Cardiotocograph Machine as an Intrapartum Monitoring Tool in Namibia: A Qualitative Research Study

Although, at the time of this study, the cardiotocograph machine was the acceptable monitoring tool to be used intrapartum, its appropriate use was a matter of concern for midwives globally. This article reports the findings of a qualitative study which investigated the perceptions of midwives, who were working in a labor ward in a public referral hospital in Namibia, regarding the use of the cardiotocograph machine. The objectives of the study included: to explore and describe the perceptions of midwives working in a labor ward in Namibia regarding the use of the cardiotocograph machine as a labor monitoring tool; and to explore and describe how midwives working in a labor ward in Namibia perceived informing women who were in labor about the use of the cardiotocograph machine as a labor monitoring tool. The study site was a public referral hospital which offered services to the five northern regions of Namibia. The requisite data was collected using semi-structured, one-on-one interviews which were conducted with seventeen (17) purposively selected participants. The interviews were recorded on an audio device. The spiral method of data analysis was adopted. The study findings revealed that the participants had varying perceptions on the use of the cardiotocograph machine intrapartum and, as such, perceived its use as a challenge. It was concluded that midwives need to be empowered via refresher courses with regard to the use of cardiotocograph machine to ensure optimum results.

Adverse events in women giving birth in a labor ward: a retrospective record review study

Background Childbirth could negatively affect the woman’s health through adverse events. To prevent adverse events and increase patient safety it is important to detect and learn from them. The aim of the study was to describe adverse events, including the preventability and severity of harm during planned vaginal births, in women giving birth in the labor ward. Methods The study had a descriptive design with a retrospective birth record review to assess the preventability of adverse events using the Swedish version of the Global Trigger Tool. The setting was a labor ward in Sweden with low-risk and risk childbirths. Descriptive statistics, Pearson’s Chi-square test and Student’s t-test were used. Results A total of 38 adverse events (12.2%) were identified in 311 reviewed birth records. Of these, 28 (73.7%) were assessed as preventable. Third- or fourth-degree lacerations and distended urinary bladder were most prevalent together with anesthesia-related adverse events. The majority of the adverse events were classified into the harm categories of ‘prolonged hospital care’ (63.2%) and ‘temporary harm’ (31.6%). No permanent harm were identified, but over two-thirds of the adverse events were assessed as preventable. Conclusions This first study using Global Trigger Tool in a labor ward in Sweden identified a higher incidence of adverse events than previous studies in obstetric care. No permanent patient harm was found, but over two-thirds of the adverse events were assessed as preventable. The results draw particular attention to 3rd-or 4th-degree lacerations, distended urinary bladder and anesthesia-related adverse events. The feedback on identified adverse events should be used for systematic quality improvement and clinical recommendations how to prevent adverse events must be implemented.

The ‘occiput-spine angle’: a new sonographic index of fetal head deflexion during first stage of labor as predictor of course of labor and outcome

Background Labor is a physiologic process during which the products of conception (i.e. the fetus, membranes, umbilical cord, and placenta) are expelled outside of the uterus. Labor is achieved with changes in the biochemical connective tissue and with gradual effacement and dilatation of the uterine cervix as a result of rhythmic uterine contractions of sufficient frequency, intensity, and duration. Labor is divided into three stages that include cervical dilatation, fetal delivery and delivery of the placenta. Objective The aims of this study were to quantify the degree of fetal head deflection via the use of Ultrasound during the first stage of labor and to determine whether a parameter derived from ultrasound examination (the occiput-spine angle) has a relationship with the progress of labor, subsequent effect on maternal, fetal complications and rate of cesarean delivery. Methods This is a prospective cohort study which includes a total of 200 women with gestational age 37-42 weeks were assessed in this study in Ain shams Maternity hospital labor ward by 2 dimensional ultra sound. Examinations were performed after a verbal and written consent from the patient with the patient lying in the dorsal supine position. And exclusion of Occiput-posterior position, multigravida, Indication for cesarean, Medical disorder eg hypertension or diabetes, pre labor rupture of membranes to correlate between the Occiput- spine angle (OSA) and the outcome of labor regarding the progress of labor, incidence of cesarean section, maternal and fetal complications. Results This study demonstrates that the sonographic measurement of the angle formed by the fetal occiput and the spine (occiput-spine angle) is feasible and reproducible, the occiput-spine angle in the first stage of labor is positively correlated with the clinically established station and the risk of obstructed labor requiring an operative delivery ie, Occiput-spine angle have been statistically significantly lower in cases underwent operative delivery. Occiput-spine angle had a statistically significant low diagnostic performance in predicting operative delivery. Conclusion The occiput-spine angle in the first stage of labor correlates significantly with the risk of obstructed labor Compared with spontaneous vaginal deliveries, cases that require obstetric intervention demonstrated a smaller occiput-spine angle at a similar station, suggesting diminished flexion of the fetal head. For occiput anterior fetuses, the greater the degree of fetal head deflexion, the greater risk of operative delivery due to labor arrest.

Category 1 cesarean section decision to delivery interval: the causes of delay and impact on neonatal outcomes

Objectives: The introduction of cesarean section categorization and recommendations on decision to delivery interval was a major step forward towards standardizing clinical response to obstetric emergencies. The recommended decision to delivery interval (DDI) for category 1 cesarean sections is 30 minutes, however there is a balance to be struck to ensure that reducing fetal hypoxic risk is not at the expense of increasing maternal and fetal morbidity. The aim of the study was to review category 1 cesarean sections, focusing on reasons for delays and neonatal outcomes. Design: The study was conducted as a quality improvement initiative to review the performance of the institution in managing women delivered as category 1 cesarean section between January 2020 and August 2020. Methods: The data was extracted from the operating theatre log book and patient electronic records (Cerner system) and analyzed using SPSS statistics package. Results: There were 577 cases of category 1 Cesarean section undertaken during the study period. The recommended DDI of 30 minutes was achieved in 385/577 (67%) of cases but was exceeded in 192/577 (33%) of cases. The most common indication of category 1 cesarean section was fetal distress (58%). It was noted that significantly more women (88.8%) in the <30-minute group had the decision taken in the labor ward, which is in close proximity to the obstetric theatre. Significantly more women in the <30-minute group had epidural or general anesthesia. Significant delays in the preparation time, transfer time, anesthesia time and delivery time were noted in the >30-minute group. The neonates in the <30-minute group had significantly lower pH and base excess measurements at birth however fewer were admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit. Conclusion: This study has demonstrated that only two thirds of category 1 cesarean deliveries are performed within the 30-minute recommendation. The delays were evident at every stage of the process of performing the cesarean. There are some factors which are not modifiable such as non labor ward transfers. Continued monitoring of category 1 cesarean outcomes is recommended.

Kangaroo mother care knowledge, attitude, and practice among nursing staff in a hospital in Jakarta, Indonesia

Background Kangaroo mother care (KMC) has been proven to decrease rates of morbidity and mortality among premature and low-birth-weight infants. Thus, this study aimed to obtain baseline data regarding KMC knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) among nursing staff caring for mothers and newborns in a hospital in Indonesia. Methods This cross-sectional study included 65 participants from three hospital wards at Koja District Hospital, North Jakarta. Participants included 29 perinatal ward nurses, 21 postnatal ward nurses and midwives, and 15 labor ward midwives. Data on KAP of KMC were collected using a self-administered questionnaire with closed-ended questions. Each questionnaire can be completed in approximately 1 hour. Results Among the included nursing staff, 12.3% (8/65) were determined to have received specific training on KMC, whereas 21.5% (14/65) had received more general training that included KMC content. About 46.2% of the nursing staff had good knowledge concerning KMC, 98.5% had good knowledge of KMC benefits, and 100% had a positive attitude toward KMC. All perinatal ward nurses had some experience assisting and implementing KMC. Some KAP that were observed among the nursing staff included lack of knowledge about the eligible infant weight for KMC and weight gain of infants receiving KMC, lack of education/training about KMC, and concerns regarding necessary equipment in KMC wards. Conclusions This study identified several issues that need to be addressed, including knowledge of feeding and weight gain, workload, incubator use, and the need for well-equipped KMC wards. We recommend that hospitals improve their nursing staff’s knowledge of KMC and establish well-equipped KMC wards.

Trend of health worker’s strike at a Tertiary Health Institution in North Central Nigeria

Objectives: Workers’ strike is a global phenomenon since antiquity. In Nigeria, health-care sector has been rocked by series of strikes spanning variable periods with immeasurable losses. Ethical consideration and inter-professional rivalry are the main concern attracting much debate in the health sector. The objectives of the study were to determine the trend of health worker’s strike actions, the main agitators, and to make some recommendations. Material and Methods: This was a retrospective study of the labor ward records of the Jos University Teaching Hospital from January 1, 1985, to December 31, 2019, duration of 35 years. The data were collated and analyzed using simple percentages and the figures corrected to the nearest decimal point. Results: A total of 42 strike actions, about 2 strikes/year. The trend shows a multi-modal pattern, with the highest peak of 5 strikes in 2004 and 2013. There were cumulatively 58.5 months of strikes out of the 442 months of the period of study, giving a percentage of 13.2%. While doctors had more frequent strikes (52.3%), non-doctors under the umbrella of Joint Health Sector Union and nurse/midwives accounted for over half (58.1%) of the duration of the strikes. The resident doctors are the main agitators of doctors’ strike accounting for about half (45.2%) of the total health workers’ strikes, while NMA accounted for only 3 (9.4.%). Most strike actions occur at the end of the year, with spill into the first quarter of the following year. Conclusion: Health workers’ strike remains a perennial problem. Inter-professional rivalry is a major challenge in the health sector with far reaching implication without immediate government intervention. Addressing challenges in the residency training program will go a long way in reducing doctors’ unrest in the health sector.

How Gentle Must Violence Against Women Be in Order to Not Be Violent? Rethinking the Word “Violence” in Obstetric Settings

With the growing concern of human rights in health, the word “violence” is being used to describe apparent disrespectful treatment received by women by either health care practitioners or health care systems. As the definition of violence in health care settings broadens, questions arise over the impact of the term in describing objective reality. Specifically, does use of the term “violence” inadvertently disempower the women that it is meant to empower? This article explores the changing use of the term “violence” and specifically draws on evidence in a South African labor ward, where phenomena such as silence and limited social support have cultural underpinnings that contradict labels of structural or obstetric violence. As global research on obstetric violence in disadvantaged communities grows, choice of terminology will become more important in filtering results into medical policy and practice.

Magnitude and factors associated with anemia among pregnant women admitted to labor ward of Hiwot Fana Specialized University Hospital, Eastern Ethiopia

Objectives: Anemia is a common medical problem among pregnant women that will influence pregnancy and birth outcomes. In Ethiopia, there is a paucity of evidences regarding the problem among pregnant women admitted to labor ward. Therefore, the objective of this study was to assess the magnitude and factors associated with anemia among pregnant women admitted to labor ward for deliveries at Hiwot Fana Specialized University Hospital, Eastern Ethiopia. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 314 pregnant women admitted to labor ward at Hiwot Fana Specialized University Hospital in June 2020. Data were collected using an interviewer administered questionnaire and were entered into EpiData and analyzed using SPSS. Descriptive statistics and multiple logistic regression analysis were done to identify predictors of anemia. Results: In this study, the magnitude of anemia was 37.9% (95% confidence interval: 32.4, 43.0). Short birth interval (adjusted odds ratio = 2.5; 95% confidence interval: 1.02, 6.13), history of blood loss during pregnancy (adjusted odds ratio = 4.3; 95% confidence interval: 1.86, 9.9), less consumption of citrus fruit within a week (adjusted odds ratio = 2.9; 95% confidence interval: 1.2, 6.9), and meal frequency less than three times per day during pregnancy (adjusted odds ratio = 2.2; 95% confidence interval: 1.0, 4.6) were significantly associated with anemia, respectively. Conclusion: This study pointed out that more than one-third of pregnant women affected by anemia. Thus, interventions that could reduce anemia, such as counseling about increasing of meal frequency during pregnancy, foods rich in iron, and prevention and management of blood loss are recommended.

Obstetrics Outcomes: A Comparison between Birthing Center and Conventional Labor Ward

Introduction: Birthing Centers (BC) are increasingly accepted worldwide as an alternate low cost place of birth. The concept is especially relevant for developing countries with limited resources and constraints regarding availability of specialists and hospital beds. The various studies have concluded that when proper risk analyses are conducted and referral rules followed, there is no evidence of increased maternal or perinatal risk at BC compared to standard hospital deliveries. Materials and Methods: This was a prospective, observational and comparative hospital based study done at Paropakar Maternity and Women’s Hospital (PMWH),Kathmandu. The study was conducted on pregnant women without any known risk factors for complications who were admitted in BC and labor ward (LW) for delivery. Details on mode of delivery, genital tract status, Postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) and neonatal outcomes were collected. Descriptive data analysis was done using SPSS. Results: Out of 5132 deliveries, 25.3% had no known risk factor and hence were eligible for study; no statistically significant difference was observed between BC & LW in relation to mode of delivery, perineal trauma, PPH and neonatal outcomes; however, practice of episiotomy was significantly less frequent in BC. Conclusion: When proper risk analyses are conducted and referral rules followed, there is no evidence of adverse obstetrics outcome at BC as compared to standard hospital deliveries. Triaging of low risk pregnancy to a BC is a viable strategy, especially in a resource poor country. This lessens the burden in standard maternity unit so that specialists will be able to provide a quality care to high risk pregnancies.