This qualitative study was aimed at exploring midwives’ responses and attitudes towards women in labour, as well as their perception of the pain experienced during labour. A non-probability purposive sampling method was followed, and the data collection methods selected were in-depth individual interviews and focus-group interviews, with the aid of an interview guide for both methods, the researcher being the main data collecting instrument. More than one data collection method (triangulation) was used to ensure the trustworthiness of the study. Concerning the perception of midwives towards women experiencing labour pain, the study revealed that firstly, labour pain is unique to individual women, it is natural and bearable. Secondly, labour pain may be unbearable, and the women in labour need to be given medication for pain. Furthermore, certain behaviour was identified and viewed as unacceptable by participating midwives because it could put both the lives of the mother and the unborn baby at risk; these include: drinking herbal medicines during pregnancy and childbirth; extreme activities like jumping out of bed and rolling on the floor. These behaviours were sources of frustration to midwives. / Health Studies / M.A. (Health Studies)

Orientadores: Jose Guilherme Cecatti, Helaine Maria Besteti Pires Milanez / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Ciencias Medicas / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-12T04:53:54Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Nascimento_MariaLauraCostado_M.pdf: 1430969 bytes, checksum: d6876f4a7fd820af8e7cd1d6109e0303 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2008 / Resumo: Introdução: Auditoria e Feedback, estratégia de intervenção na prática médica, sendo um resumo da atuação durante certo período, com posterior formulação de recomendações para a melhoria do serviço estudado. Sua efetividade ainda é incerta em Obstetrícia. Objetivo: Estudar o processo de Auditoria e Feedback em Obstetrícia e implementar o uso do material da Reproductive Health Library. Avaliar o possível efeito da intervenção sobre as taxas de parto por cesárea, com a utilização da classificação de Robson. Métodos: coleta prospectiva de dados sobre os seis parâmetros obstétricos selecionados segundo publicações baseadas em evidência, antes e depois de um período de intervenção, preparado após análise dos índices de prevalência de cada prática: episiotomia seletiva, cardiotocografia contínua durante o trabalho de parto em gestações de baixo risco, antibioticoprofilaxia no parto por cesárea, uterotônico no terceiro período do parto, indução de parto às 41 semanas em gestações de baixo risco e suporte contínuo durante o trabalho de parto. Realizado agrupamento de todos os partos segundo a classificação de Robson, em 10 grupos, levando em conta o antecedente obstétrico, tipo de gestação, curso do trabalho de parto e idade gestacional. Resultados: os dois períodos foram similares quanto às características obstétricas gerais. Com relação aos parâmetros selecionados, foi observada redução significativa do uso de episiotomia seletiva (RR 0.84 IC95% 0.73-0.97), embora o mesmo não tenha ocorrido entre as primigestas (p=0,315), aumento na presença de acompanhante durante o trabalho de parto (RR 1.42; 1.24-1.63) e adequação de uso de uterotônico (ocitocina 10UI) no terceiro período (p<0,0001). Segundo a classificação de Robson, não ocorreu alteração no índice global de partos cesárea nos dois períodos estudados (respectivamente 45.5% e 43.3%). Houve predomínio do Grupo 3 (multipara sem cesárea anterior, feto único, cefálico, de termo, trabalho de parto espontâneo) com índices de 28.5 e 26.8% respectivamente. O segundo mais prevalente foi o Grupo 1 (nulípara, feto único, cefálico, termo e trabalho de parto espontâneo), com 25.5 e 22.6% do total de partos, seguido pelo Grupo 5 (multípara com cesárea prévia, feto único, cefálico, gestação de termo), com taxas de 22.9 e 21.3% respectivamente. O Grupo 5 foi também responsável pela maior contribuição ao número total de cesáreas (36.4 e 34.6% nos dois períodos). Os Grupos 2 (nulípara, feto único, cefálico, de termo, em trabalho de parto induzido ou cesárea antes de trabalho de parto) e 4 (multípara, feto único, cefálico, de termo, em trabalho de parto induzido ou cesárea antes de trabalho de parto), embora tenham pouca contribuição ao número total de partos, demonstraram altos índices de cesárea dentro do seus grupos. O grupo 10, composto por prematuros, foi o quarto mais prevalente, também com altos índices de cesárea no seu grupo, porém com redução significativa entre os períodos pré e pós-intervenção (p=0.0058). Conclusão: o processo de Auditoria e feedback pode ser utilizado como mecanismo de implementação em obstetrícia, sobretudo quando a equipe é receptiva a mudanças. / Abstract: Background: Audit and feedback is a widely used strategy to improve professional practice and can be defined as any summary of clinical performance of health care over a period of time, which may include recommendations for clinical action. Its effectiveness is still uncertain in Obstetrics. Objectives: to assess the effects of audit and feedback on the practice of healthcare professionals and patient outcomes and to implement the use of RHL material as a routine in medical practice; to evaluate the effect of the intervention over the incidence of caesarean sections, according to the Robson's classification, in 10 groups. Methods: The study proposed has an audit and feedback design and was conducted in the obstetric Unit of the University of Campinas, Brazil, between the years 2007- 2008. It started by providing up to date estimates of prevalence rates of six audit standards underwritten by evidence-based recommendations: selective episiotomy; continuous electronic fetal monitoring during uncomplicated labour of low risk pregnant women; antibiotic prophylaxis for women undergoing caesarean section; use of oxytocin after delivery as one of the procedures of active management of third stage of labour; routine induction of labour at 41 weeks for uncomplicated pregnancies and continuous support for women during childbirth. The results were then analyzed and presented as feedback to clinical practice. Active information based on the WHO Reproductive Health Library (RHL) was prepared to remind important and reliable health care interventions during meetings with the whole maternity staff. After four months, the same practices were again measured and analyzed to compare data and assess if the intervention was effective. All caesarean sections were evaluated according to Robson's Classification to study a possible effect of the intervention on caesarean rates. Results: both periods studied showed equivalency in the total number of deliveries, vaginal and caesarean births, forceps and deliveries in nulliparous. Considering the obstetric practices evaluated, there was a significant reduction in selective episiotomy (RR 0.84 95%CI 0.73-0.97), but not in nulliparous (p=0.315); an increase in continuous support for women during childbirth (RR 1.42; 1.24-1.63). There was also a change in the institution protocol for the use of uterotonic (oxitocyn) during third stage of labor, with a shift to the WHO recommended dosage of 10UI (p<0.0001). There was no change observed in the use of continuous electronic fetal monitoring, routine induction of labour at 41 weeks for uncomplicated pregnancies and antibiotic prophylaxis in caesarean sections. Considering caesarean sections, there was no prevalence change after intervention. Robson's classification was applied and Group 3 (multiparous excluding previous CS, single, cephalic, =37 weeks, spontaneous labour) accounted for the largest proportion of deliveries, 28.5% and 26.8% in both periods. Group 1 (nulliparous, single, cephalic, =37 weeks, spontaneous labour) was the second largest one, with 25.5% and 22.6% respectively, while Group 5 (previous caesarean section, single, cephalic, =37 weeks) was the third, with percentages of 22.9% and 21.3% respectively. Group 5 also represented the most prevalent when considering only caesarean sections, accounting for 36.4% and 34.6% in both periods. Groups 2 (nulliparous, single, cephalic, =37 weeks, induction or CS before labour) and 4 (multiparous excluding previous CS, single, cephalic, =37 weeks, induction or CS before labour) had low contribution for the total number of deliveries, however they had higher rates of caesarean sections within each group. Group 10 (all single, cephalic, = 36 weeks, including previous CS) represented the fourth largest among all deliveries, with respectively 6.6% and 8.6%. Within its group, the rate of caesarean section was high, with a significant decrease from 70.5% to 42.6%, from pre to post intervention period (p=0.0058). Conclusion: Audit and feedback can be used as a successful implementation tool in obstetrics, especially when the medical staff is open and receptive to change. / Mestrado / Tocoginecologia / Mestre em Tocoginecologia

M.Cur. (Midwifery and Neonatal Nursing) / The infiltration of modern trends into black cultures, has allowed fathers to support mothers during labour. Only a limitednumber of fathers utilise this opportunity. Whether more will do so in future seemed in part to depend on the following: * how do black fathers experience their support to mothers during labour? * what can be done to encourage black fathers to support mothers during labour? The following aims were formulated: to explore and describe the experiences of black fathers concerning support during labour and to establish guidelines to encourage black fathers to support mothers during labour. This study was explored and described within the framework of the Nursing for the Whole Person Theory (ORU 1990; RAU 1992) which functions in an integrated biopsychosocial manner (body, mind, spirit) within the family and or community. The parameters of nursing and beliefs about man, health, illness and nursing are also described. A functional reasoning approach is followed, based on the Botes (1991) model for Nursing Research. The research design entailed an exploratory, descriptive, qualitative study, which is contextual to clinical nursing. Two groups of black fathers were purposively selected for the research study. Group one consisted of fathers who provided support to mother during labour and was selected from a private maternity hospital. Group two, consisted of fathers who did not provide support during labour, and was selected from a provincial hospital. Both hospitals are within the Gauteng province. A phenomenological approach to nursing research was utilized. Unstructured interviews were conducted with ten fathers. They were divided into two groups of five each. After analysis of data, follow-up interviews were conducted with two of the fathers included in the sample. Data was analyzed according to Kerlinger's (1986:476) method of content analysis. A literature control was undertaken in order to explore and describe the conclusions of other researchers and authors. The results from this study indicate that most of the fathers in Group one, experienced negative feelings of frightened, difficulty, helplessness and anxiety due to lack of information concerning childbirth. This is coupled with positive feelings such as excitement, nice, overwhelming and miracle. Most of the fathers in Group two, expressed a feeling of wanting to be there. Lack of information, fear and culture were identified as stumbling blocks. Conclusions were drawn and recommendations concerning nursing practice, nursing education and nursing research were made. Guidelines for encouragement of black fathers concerning support during labour were described.

M.Cur. / The purpose of this study is to identify the midwives experience in doing the delivery or a HIV-positive patient. Because the incidence of AIDS is increasing in the heterosexual population and thus the women in their reproductive years, it is important for the midwife to know how feelings for the HIV-positive patient. It is the midwife who has to give counselling and support to tho HlV-positive patients and in doing so, she herself must get counselling end support. Unstructured in-depth interviewB wore held with r Ivo midwives on one occasion. Each midwife should have done at least one delivery of a HIV-positive patient. The experiences of the midwives was then combined and a literature control was done to consult other authors' findings on the heath workers experience of HIV positive patients. Recommendations were made at the end of the study concerning applications to practice, education, further research and the counselling of the midwife.

M.Cur. (Advanced Midwifery and Neonatal Nursing) / With the introduction of the four year comprehensive course, the students at a particular college of nursing receive instruction on normal labour at the beginning of their second year. They are then allocated to the maternity wards of a particular hospital for their midwifery nursing science practica. The practical placement of these students to the midwifery clinical area is variable as a few may be allocated to the practice immediately after having received their theoretical instruction, a few two months later and the rest four, six, eight and ten months later. A major problem thus facing midwifery educators at a particular college of nursing, is to select an appropriate method of teaching that would assist the student nurses in acquiring the psychomotor skills that are necessary for the management of the delivery procedure. The goal of this study was to evaluate the competency levels of the second year student nurses, in the application of the psychomotor skills that are necessary for the management of the delivery procedure, after having made use of different teaching strategies, namely: * the traditional teaching method, and * the aforementioned method combined with the simulation teaching method. The hypothesis stated that there would be no difference in the application of the necessary psychomotor skills for the first delivery procedure, between the control and the experimental groups.

Although it is considered an everyday occurrence, childbirth is nonetheless an important and dramatic experience in the life of every woman. Childbirth, a normal physiological state in the life of a woman, can be an awe-inspiring and exciting experience, but sometimes disconcerting experiences may also occur. Women sometimes see labour as the end to a long drawn out process following pregnancy and therefore attribute great significance to all occurrences during labour. When complications occur in a usually uncomplicated process of labour, the health care provider must be able to make quick and effective management decisions and implement appropriate interventions. This may include the referral of women in labour to a level of care where complications can be dealt with more effectively, thereby ensuring the best maternal and neonatal outcomes. Patient referral is regarded as a fundamental component of the health care system therefore a well functioning system should ensure that patients are treated in the appropriate manner at the appropriate place at the lowest possible cost to the health system. The goal of this research study was to explore and describe the inter-level health service referral of women in labour by midwives, in order to design guidelines for midwives and other relevant health care providers involved in inter-level health service referral of women in labour in the South African public health care sector. The research design used for this study is a combination of qualitative and quantitative approaches. The paradigmatic perspective of this study was based on the World Health Organization’s Health for All Model. Appropriate data collection and analysis strategies were used for the different stages of the study. Data collection commenced only after permission to conduct the research had been obtained from relevant authorities and University of Port Elizabeth and the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University structures. Informed consent was obtained from participants included in the study. In stage 1 of this research project, a profile of midwives at lower level maternity care centres was compiled and the perceptions and experiences of midwives working at lower level maternity services, who are responsible for inter-level health referrals of women in labour, were described. Stage 2 described, by means of analysis of maternity case records, aspects of the inter-level referral of women in labour including the profiles of women admitted to midwife obstetric units (MOUs) who are v referred to higher levels of care. Of significance in this study is the appropriateness of midwifery referrals and the maternity care implemented by health care providers during inter-level health service referral of women in labour. In stage 3 clinical guidelines for midwives and other relevant maternity care providers, to assist them in the inter-level health service referral of women in labour, were developed. Findings from stage 1 of this research study revealed that midwives were generally well qualified and sufficiently experienced in the management of women in labour who need referral. Disconcerting findings relating to human and material resource shortages were discovered; these included major problems with patient transportation and difficulties with communication relating to inter-level health service referral of women. These shortages adversely affected midwives’ ability to efficiently care for women during the inter-level health service referral of women in labour in the research area. Stage 2 of the study yielded results of questionable standards of care to women and infants included in the study. A further disturbing finding from the study is the poor state of record keeping. The development of the provisional guidelines in stage 3 of the study was informed by the four main themes identified from the research findings. Before embarking on guideline development, the researcher familiarized herself with theory related to the clinical guidelines. These included clarifying the concept ‘clinical guidelines’, justifying the need for developing clinical guidelines as well as giving consideration to concerns about clinical guidelines. The research findings as well as literature related to these findings informed the researcher on the development of the guidelines. Provisional guidelines were therefore developed on responsibilities of role players in inter-level health service referral of women in labour at first level of referral, namely the midwife obstetric units, transport personnel and maternity care providers at the referral hospital. Steps were taken throughout the study to adhere to ethical standards of research. The researcher will ensure that the research report is available to all health authorities involved, the participants included in the study and the health care providers who may benefit from the research findings.

The research in this thesis aimed to develop an algorithm to support midwives’ diagnosis of active labour in primiparous women and to compare the effectiveness of the algorithm with standard care in terms of maternal and neonatal outcomes. Four linked studies are presented following the template suggested by the Medical Research Council (MRC 2000) Framework for development and evaluation of randomised controlled trials (RCT) for complex interventions to improve health. Study one Aim: To develop an algorithm for diagnosis of active labour in primiparous women. Methods: An informal telephone survey was conducted with senior midwives to assess the need for a decision support tool for the diagnosis of active labour. A literature review identified the key cues for inclusion in the algorithm which was then drafted. Focus group interviews were conducted with midwives to ascertain the cues used by midwives in diagnosing active labour. Findings: Thirteen midwives took part in focus groups. They described using informational cues which could be separated into two categories: those arising from the woman (Physical signs, Distress and coping, Woman's expectations and Social factors) and those from the institution (Midwifery care, Organisational factors and Justifying actions). Study Two Aim: Preliminary testing of the algorithm Methods: Vignettes and questionnaires were used to test the consistency of midwives’ judgements (inter-rater reliability), the content of the algorithm and its acceptability to midwives (face and content validity). The study was conducted in two stages: the first stage (23 midwives) involved vignettes and questionnaires and the second stage (20 midwives) involved vignettes only. Findings: In the first stage a Kappa score of 0.45 indicated only moderate agreement between midwives using the algorithm. After modifying the algorithm, the Kappa score in stage two was 0.86, indicating a high level of agreement. While the majority of the midwives reported that the algorithm was easy to complete, most were able to identify snags or make suggestions for its improvement. Based on the findings of this study the algorithm was modified and the final version was developed. Study three Aim: To assess the feasibility of carrying out a cluster randomised trial (CRT) of the algorithm, in Scotland. Specifically, to identify maternity units potentially willing to participate in a CRT, to test the implementation strategy for the trial and to collect baseline data to inform the sample size calculation. Methods: A questionnaire and interviews were used. The CRT methods were piloted in two maternity units and the algorithm was used for a three-month period in order to test its acceptability and provide estimates of compliance and consent rates. Results: All maternity units surveyed expressed an interest in the proposed study. Midwives’ compliance with study protocol differed between units, although the consent rate of women was high (89% and 84%). Ultimately, one unit achieved 100% of the required sample and the other 60%. The midwives reported that the algorithm was acceptable and was a useful tool, particularly for teaching inexperienced midwives. Study four Aim: To compare the effectiveness of the algorithm for diagnosis of active labour in primiparous women with standard care in terms of maternal and neonatal outcomes. Method: A cluster randomised trial Participants: Fourteen maternity units in Scotland. Midwives in experimental sites used the algorithm to assist their diagnosis of active labour. Seven experimental units collected data from 1029 women at baseline and 896 post intervention. The seven control units had 1291 women at baseline and 1287 after study implementation. Outcomes: The primary outcome was the percentage use of oxytocin for augmentation of labour. Secondary outcomes were medical interventions in labour, labour admission management, unplanned out of hospital births and clinical outcomes for mothers and babies. Results: There was no significant difference between groups in percentage use of oxytocin for augmentation of labour or for the use of medical interventions in labour. Women in the algorithm group were more likely to be discharged from the labour suite following their first labour assessment and subsequently have more pre-labour admissions. Conclusion The studies presented in this thesis represent the full process of developing and testing a complex healthcare intervention (the algorithm). The final study, a national cluster randomised trial, demonstrated that the use of the algorithm did not result in a reduction in the number of women who received oxytocin for augmentation or the use of medical interventions in labour. The results suggest that misdiagnosis of labour is not the main reason for higher rates of intervention experienced by women admitted to labour wards while not yet in active labour. These studies contribute significantly to the debate on care of women in early labour, the organisation of maternity care and to maternity care research.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Michigan, 1996.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Michigan, 1992.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Michigan, 1996.