The Covid-19 pandemic has caused problem in a particular sensitive area: pregnancy, a moment with a significant impact on women's life. Prior research in this area has examined how women experience and manage pregnancy. However, it is still unclear how the experience of pregnant women is affected by key challenges arising from COVID-19. This research acts as a prerequisite study which can serve as a base for future design research in HCI (Human Computer Interaction). This study used semi-structured interviews in order to collect data. Participants in this study were recruited from two countries, India and Sweden, using initial purposive sampling followed by snowball sampling method. A qualitative analysis was carried out on the data, which showed that the key challenges faced by pregnant women during COVID-19 were as follows: social life, emotion and online/remote support. The study revealed that participants felt isolated and were deprived of social contact during their pregnancy, and that the feeling of women's partners being separated from the mother and baby during doctor visits and their other pregnancy related activities impacted both partners negatively. Moreover, while pregnancy application were used to compansate for these needs, such applications were typically lacking in accuracy of information on the participants specific needs, and were thus not well-suited for used during the pandemic. Thus, HCI experts need to look at design solutions considering pregnant women needs during pandemic situations.

Background: Hypertension during pregnancy is a leading cause of birthing parent mortality and adverse pregnancy outcomes. Since non-metropolitan communities face higher rates of several risk factors for hypertension in pregnancy and shortages in obstetrical services, persons residing in non-metropolitan areas may be at increased risk for adverse outcomes compared to those living in metropolitan areas. Our study objectives were to examine by county of birthing parent residence (1) the prevalence of chronic hypertension (cHTN) and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP), and (2) the prevalence of adverse birthing parent and neonatal outcomes associated with hypertension. Methods: Using U.S. birth certificate data from 2016 to 2018, we described the prevalence of cHTN and HDP and the association of each with several birthing parent and neonatal outcomes, stratified by non-metropolitan versus metropolitan county of birthing parent residence. Multivariable Poisson regression models were used to calculate adjusted prevalence ratios for birthing parent and neonatal outcomes among individuals with cHTN or HDP who lived in non-metropolitan versus metropolitan U.S. counties. Results: The prevalence of cHTN and HDP for US live births was 2.2% and 7.4%, respectively, among non-metropolitan pregnant individuals and 1.8% and 6.6%, respectively, among metropolitan pregnant individuals. After adjusting for several sociodemographic characteristics among those with HDP, the prevalence ratio for an APGAR score < 7 at 5 minutes (aPR 1.34, 95% CI 1.29-1.38) and neonatal death (aPR 1.36, 95% CI 1.15-1.62) was increased among offspring born to women who resided in non-metropolitan counties. Similar results were seen among those with cHTN. Conclusion: The prevalence of cHTN and HDP is modestly more prevalent in non-metropolitan areas, but most pregnancy outcomes were similar among those residing in non-metropolitan areas compared to metropolitan areas. Further research should investigate the robustness of these findings using alternate definitions of rural and urban areas and the possible link between low APGAR score, low NICU admission, and neonatal death in non-metropolitan counties.

Introduktion: Träning och rörelse är viktigt för alla människor oavsett ålder eller kön, och kan förhindra flera olika sjukdomar. Tidigare har rekommendationer kring träning under graviditet varit restriktiva och givits med försiktighet för att inte riskera säkerheten för barn och mamma. Tidigare studier tyder dock på att träning under graviditet medför positiva effekter, med förutsättning att graviditeten är komplikationsfri. Som fysioterapeut är det viktigt att både veta risker med träning under graviditet, men även vilka positiva effekter det kan ha på både barn och mamma. Syfte: Syftet med litteraturstudien var att sammanställa vilka effekter träning har på den gravida kvinnan och hennes ofödda barn. Metod: Olika sökkombinationer som fokuserar på de olika delarna av graviditeten samt träning har använts i databaserna PEDro, PubMed, Cinahl och Amed. Genom syfte, PICO-modellen samt inklusions- och exklusionskriterier kunde studier exkluderas via titel, abstrakt samt när studierna lästes i full text. Totalt inkluderades 17 studier i litteraturstudien. Resultat: Flera positiva effekter på både barn och mamma har dokumenterats och inga negativa effekter har påvisats under litteratursammanställningen. Träning under graviditet påverkar flera olika faktorer, som exempelvis glukosvärden, lägre vilopuls och självuppskattat välmående hos mamman och även barnet i magen påverkas positivt av mammans träning. Konklusion: Träning bör rekommenderas under komplikationsfria graviditeter, då det enligt studier medför antingen inga effekter eller positiva effekter för både mamma och barn.

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Thesis (M.Sc. (Nursing Science)) -- University of Limpopo, 2021 / Black South African women use herbal medicine during the intrapartum period. Research has proven that some herbal medicine may have a negative impact on both the mother and the fetus during labour and delivery. The aim of the study was to investigate the use of herbal medicine by pregnant women during the intrapartum period, at selected public hospitals in the Sekhukhune District, Limpopo, South Africa. The objectives of the study were to determine the use of herbal medicine by pregnant women during the intrapartum period and to develop a health education programme for communities around the Sekhukhune District, Limpopo, South Africa. Quantitative research method was used, and data were collected using selfdesigned questionnaire. Total of 192 respondents out of 370 population participated in the study. Simple random sampling was used. The questionnaire was piloted in a different setting to ensure reliability. Data were analysed using SPSS version 24. The outcome of the analysis was presented as frequencies and percentages in tables, pie charts and bar graphs. Ethical standards were adhered to throughout the study. One hundred and ninety-two (192) women were invited to participate in the study all of which were from surrounding areas. None of the women declined participation. A total of 192 post-partum women answered the questionnaires. Of the 192, 76% used herbal medicine during the intrapartum period. The mean age is 19 years. Mostly, those who are Sepedi speaking are dominant in the area (at 76%). Pregnant women commonly ingested herbal medicine to induce labour or during labour to accelerate delivery at 56%. The result highlighted that the prevalence of the use of herbal medicine during the intrapartum period was high among women in the Sekhukhune District. Therefore, healthcare professionals should have knowledge about herbal medicine used by pregnant women during the intrapartum period and educate them about the dangers and effects of the herbal medicines, both to the mother and the fetus.

AWHONN, the Association of Women's Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses Objective: To implement and evaluate training session related to smoking during pregnancy for baccalaureate nursing students in rural Southern Appalachia. Design: Nursing students attended training on dangers and intervention techniques related to smoking during pregnancy. Sample: Third year students beginning clinical rotations in obstetrics. Methods: One and one half hour training including pre‐ and post tests. Implementation Strategies: Four months later, a follow‐up survey assessed gains in knowledge, skill, comfort, and willingness to address smoking during pregnancy. Results: During seven semesters, 659 nursing students were trained. Substantial gains in knowledge of issues related to smoking during pregnancy were seen from pre‐ to post testing, and knowledge was retained at 4‐month follow‐up. The percentage of students who felt they lacked skills to intervene with pregnant smokers dropped from 39% at pretest to 6% at same day post test. In addition, the percentage who reported they would be uncomfortable talking with pregnant women about smoking dropped from 10% to 1%; the percentage who indicated they would always make time to address smoking with pregnant women increased from 54% to 87%. While most students did address smoking with multiple pregnant patients during clinicals, and more than half felt the patients benefited from their actions, only 58% were confident in their intervention skills at 4‐month follow‐up. Finally, 83% felt the training had been beneficial, and more than 90% committed to addressing smoking with pregnant patients once they graduated. Conclusion/Implications for Nursing Practice: Rates of smoking during pregnancy in the rural South are twice as great as national averages and contribute to poor birth and long‐term outcomes for affected women and children. Efforts to intervene during prenatal care with pregnant women have been hampered by lack of knowledge, skill, comfort, and commitment from prenatal providers and their nursing staff. Regional community providers and staff have been reluctant to participate in available trainings, and even those who do seldom exhibit attitude and practice change long term. Therefore, efforts to educate healthcare professionals on the dangers of smoking during pregnancy and to provide necessary skills for intervention efforts may need to occur before students enter practice, and ongoing education may be needed to promote skills and confidence long term. In the rural South, where smoking rates are high and provider efforts to address pregnancy smoking are inconsistent, educating future nurses could have substantial impact on rates of smoking during pregnancy and birth outcomes into the future.

AWHONN, the Association of Women's Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses Objective: To implement and evaluate training session related to smoking during pregnancy for baccalaureate nursing students in rural Southern Appalachia. Design: Nursing students attended training on dangers and intervention techniques related to smoking during pregnancy. Sample: Third year students beginning clinical rotations in obstetrics. Methods: One and one half hour training including pre‐ and post tests. Implementation Strategies: Four months later, a follow‐up survey assessed gains in knowledge, skill, comfort, and willingness to address smoking during pregnancy. Results: During seven semesters, 659 nursing students were trained. Substantial gains in knowledge of issues related to smoking during pregnancy were seen from pre‐ to post testing, and knowledge was retained at 4‐month follow‐up. The percentage of students who felt they lacked skills to intervene with pregnant smokers dropped from 39% at pretest to 6% at same day post test. In addition, the percentage who reported they would be uncomfortable talking with pregnant women about smoking dropped from 10% to 1%; the percentage who indicated they would always make time to address smoking with pregnant women increased from 54% to 87%. While most students did address smoking with multiple pregnant patients during clinicals, and more than half felt the patients benefited from their actions, only 58% were confident in their intervention skills at 4‐month follow‐up. Finally, 83% felt the training had been beneficial, and more than 90% committed to addressing smoking with pregnant patients once they graduated. Conclusion/Implications for Nursing Practice: Rates of smoking during pregnancy in the rural South are twice as great as national averages and contribute to poor birth and long‐term outcomes for affected women and children. Efforts to intervene during prenatal care with pregnant women have been hampered by lack of knowledge, skill, comfort, and commitment from prenatal providers and their nursing staff. Regional community providers and staff have been reluctant to participate in available trainings, and even those who do seldom exhibit attitude and practice change long term. Therefore, efforts to educate healthcare professionals on the dangers of smoking during pregnancy and to provide necessary skills for intervention efforts may need to occur before students enter practice, and ongoing education may be needed to promote skills and confidence long term. In the rural South, where smoking rates are high and provider efforts to address pregnancy smoking are inconsistent, educating future nurses could have substantial impact on rates of smoking during pregnancy and birth outcomes into the future.

Thesis (MPH.) -- University of Limpopo, 2021 / Refer to document

Objective: Short interpregnancy interval (IPI), <18 months between pregnancies, is a potential cause of adverse delivery and birth outcomes, and may be a particular issue among those with other risks. Our goal was to examine IPI and delivery/infant complications in Tennessee. Methods: Birth certificate/vital records data included 101,912 women with a previous delivery. IPI groups (<6, 6-12, 12-18, 18-60 months) were compared on outcomes. Results: Thirty-nine percent of the deliveries had IPI <18 months, 9% were <6 months, rates 11% and 27% higher than nationally. Women with IPI <18 months were younger, lower educated with lower income, had higher BMIs, and were more likely to be unmarried, smokers, and have begun prenatal care later (p <.001). In adjusted analyses, IPI <18 months predicted elevated risk for precipitous labor, low-birth weight, preterm delivery, NICU admission, and infant mortality, with effects strongest for IPI <6 months. Finally, risks related to IPI <6 months were substantially higher for the lowest income women. Conclusions: Rates of less than optimal IPI were high in this population already experiencing significant maternal-child health disparities, with short IPI a particular risk factor for poor out-comes for the most disadvantaged women, suggesting yet another precursor for adverse birth outcomes in those already most at risk.