The Creation of a Birthing Centre: Considering the Prevention of Post-Natal Depression.

<p>This thesis explores the notion of interior architecture as a tool in the prevention on of post natal depression. This research is part of a larger and current theoretical argument that places interior architecture in a catalyst role for the prevention of mental illness. Initial research shows that the act of giving birth and its physical and mental recovery are tightly linked to the potential development of depressive disorder. Accordingly this research will explore the spatial requirements for birthing with the prevention of mental disorder in mind. The design will be developed at the intersection of a series of criteria of spatial qualities in the prevention of depressive orders and evidence based hospital design parameters for birthing. This research aims to establish a comprehensive base guideline specific for the design of birthing centres, focusing on the prevention of post natal depression. The design here presented is a series of tests and assessment of this guideline.</p>

The Creation of a Birthing Centre: Considering the Prevention of Post-Natal Depression.

<p>This thesis explores the notion of interior architecture as a tool in the prevention on of post natal depression. This research is part of a larger and current theoretical argument that places interior architecture in a catalyst role for the prevention of mental illness. Initial research shows that the act of giving birth and its physical and mental recovery are tightly linked to the potential development of depressive disorder. Accordingly this research will explore the spatial requirements for birthing with the prevention of mental disorder in mind. The design will be developed at the intersection of a series of criteria of spatial qualities in the prevention of depressive orders and evidence based hospital design parameters for birthing. This research aims to establish a comprehensive base guideline specific for the design of birthing centres, focusing on the prevention of post natal depression. The design here presented is a series of tests and assessment of this guideline.</p>

Reproductive health interventions for Inuit youth in the north: a scoping review

Background Inuit have thrived in the northern regions of Canada and Alaska for thousands of years. Recent evidence suggests that Inuit in this region have experienced systemic barriers to reproductive health with resulting disparities in reproductive health-related outcomes including those among youth. Northern youth-focused reproductive health intervention research or evaluations have not to date been well summarized. The objective of this scoping review was to summarize the literature over the past twenty years focusing on reproductive health interventions for adolescents in northern Inuit communities. Methods English-language articles from 2000 to 2020 were identified from seven scientific databases, a general internet search and a review of relevant websites. Two reviewers screened titles, abstracts and full texts and included articles if they mentioned a reproductive health intervention and pertained, directly or indirectly, to reproductive health for Inuit aged 10–19 in northern communities. Results Seventeen articles met the inclusion criteria, across six themes: (1) Barriers to reproductive health interventions in the north; (2) Northern midwifery; (3) Northern birthing centres; (4) Fetal fibronectin tests for identifying high-risk pregnancies; (5) Prenatal education classes; and (6) Interventions to improve access to and quality of reproductive health supports. Conclusion Overall there is relatively limited evidence base specific to reproductive health interventions and northern Inuit youth. What does exist largely focuses on maternal health interventions and is inclusive of but not specific to youth. There is some evidence that youth specific educational programs, participatory action research approaches and the promotion of northern birthing centres and midwifery can improve reproductive health for adolescents and young mothers in northern Inuit communities. Future initiatives should focus on the creation and evaluation of culturally relevant and youth specific interventions and increasing community and youth participation in intervention research for better reproductive health.

Health Promotion opportunities for Auxiliary Nurse Midwives in Nepal

Health promotion moves beyond changing the health-related knowledge, attitudes and behaviour of individuals and covers a wide range of social and environmental interventions. Nepal has also introduced health promotion policies targeting health education, information and communication. Auxiliary Nurse Midwives (ANMs), who are responsible for delivering primary care maternity services, especially in birthing centres located in rural areas of Nepal, also have an important role to play in the promotion of women’s health during pregnancy, intra-partum and post-partum. However, in the present context, health promotion provided by ANMs in Nepal is confined mostly to health education and behavioural-change communication. There are a range of health promotion activities relevant to maternity care and midwifery that ANMs can practice even in low-technology rural birthing centres. Such health promotion offers an opportunity to move away from a very medical and behavioural model to a more empowering one in order to prevent health problems in a cost-effective way.

Birthing centre infrastructure in Nepal post 2015 earthquake

We suggest that a focus on improving facility delivery services starting from the most severely affected districts could be the necessary step towards achieving universal health care. Technical and financial support offered by international development partners can play a crucial role in enhancing the capabilities of health care facilities including birthing centres.

Aboriginal Midwifery: A Model for Change

This paper will discuss indigenous knowledge and epistemologies of health and well-being as essential practices to improving the health status of Aboriginal communities. These methods will be illustrated through the practice of Aboriginal midwifery and birthing practices currently being revitalized in Aboriginal communities. Indigenous knowledge of health, well-being, medicine, and healing practices have historically sustained the health and well-being of Aboriginal communities for centuries pre-contact. However, these traditional epistemologies of health and healing have been eroded through centuries of colonial oppression and the imposition of western scientific methodologies and legislation. Through decades of acculturation, much of the traditional knowledge of health, medicine and healing has been lost. However, a recent resurgence of traditional Aboriginal midwifery has occurred in an effort to retain, revive and restore the indigenous knowledge of Aboriginal communities. The revival of traditional Aboriginal midwifery has resulted in the development of Aboriginal birthing centres that blend traditional knowledge, medicine and healing practices with contemporary medical services, to provide culturally significant maternal care services for Aboriginal women and families. Currently, there are Aboriginal birthing centres and services in, Nunavut, Quebec and Ontario. The high quality of community-based maternal care, access to culturally significant health services - utilizing traditional medicine and employing traditionally trained Aboriginal midwives has shown improved outcomes, impacting community healing, cultural revival, and community capacity building. The traditional methodologies employed by Aboriginal birthing centres will be detailed to exemplify the significance of indigenous knowledge and epistemologies of health in providing improved health care services to Aboriginal communities.