A sharp increase in caesarean section (CS) rates at the Muhimbili National Referral Hospital (MNH) – a tertiary referral hospital in Tanzania – by 50% in 2000–2011, was associated with concomitant increase in maternal complications and deaths and inconsistent improvement in newborn outcomes. The aims of this thesis were to explore care providers’ in-depth perspective of the reasons for these high rates of CS, and to evaluate and improve standards of care for the most common indica-tions of CS, obstructed labour and fetal distress, which are also major causes of adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes. This thesis reports an investigation performed at MNH, Tanzania. For Paper I, qualitative methods were employed and demonstrated how care providers dismissed their responsibility for the rising CS rate; and, instead, projected the causes onto factors beyond their control. Additionally, dysfunctinal teamwork, transparency, and previous poorly conducted clinical audits led to fear of blame among care providers in cases of poor outcome that subsequently encougared defensive practise by assigning unnecessary CS. Papers II and III evaluated stand-ards of care using a criteria-based audit (CBA) of obstructed labour and fetal dis-tress. After implementing audit-feedback recommendations, the standards of diag-nosis of fetal distress improved by 16% and obstructed labour by 7%. Similarly, the standards of management preceding CS improved tenfold for fetal distress and doubled for obstructed labour. The impact of the CBA process was evaluated by comparing the maternal and perinatal outcomes categorized into Robson groups (Paper IV) of all deliveries occurring before and after the audit process (n=27,960). After the CBA process, there was a 50% risk reduction of severe perinatal morbidi-ty/mortality for patients with obstructed labour. The overall CS rates increased by 10%, and this was attributed to an increase in the CS rate among breech, term preg-nancies (Robson group 6), and preterm pregnancies (Robson group 10) that specifi-cally had reduced risk of poor perinatal outcome. The overall neonatal distress rates were also reduced by 20%, and this was attributed to a decrease in the neonatal distress rate among low-risk, term pregnancies (Robson group 3). Importantly, the increased rates of poor perinatal outcomes were associated with referred patients that had higher risk of neonatal distress and PMR than non–referred patients, after CBA process.  In conclusion, the studies managed to educate the care providers to take on their roles as decision-makers and medical experts to minimize unnecessary CS, using the available resources. Care providers’ commitment to achieve the best practice should be sustained and effort for stepwise upgrading quality of obstetric care should be supported by the hospital management from the primary to tertiary referral level.

Sammanfattning I Sverige är förekomsten av förlossningsrädsla sedan tidigare uppskattad till 20 % (Eriksson & Nilsson, 2009). Denna relativt höga andel förlossningsrädda kvinnor gör det angeläget att som barnmorska kunna identifiera de riskfaktorer som gör att kvinnor som löper risk att utveckla eller redan lider av förlossningsrädsla. Syfte: Det övergripande syftet var att undersöka prevalens av förlossningsrädsla i sen graviditet och under förlossningen, mätt ett år efter förlossning. Syftet var också att undersöka om det finns skillnader gällande graden av förlossningsrädsla före och efter förlossning mellan olika grupper av kvinnor. Metod: En longitudinell kohortstudie utförd i form av en enkätstudie, uppdelad i tre enkäter. Det var 153 mödravårdsmottagningar i Sverige som inkluderades i studien. Antalet studiedeltagare vid första enkäten var 3284 och i den tredje 1360 studiedeltagare. Resultat: I sen graviditet var prevalensen förlossningsrädsla 26,4 %. Ett år efter förlossningen var det en snarlik prevalens, 28,4%, det vill säga ingen skillnad. De kvinnor som genomgått akut kejsarsnitt eller en instrumentell förlossning hade en ökad förlossningsrädsla uppmätt ett år efter förlossningen (M=7,35) jämfört med innan förlossningen (M=5,53). Slutsats: Då resultatet visar att kvinnor som genomgått ett akut kejsarsnitt eller en instrumentell förlossning har en signifikant ökad grad av oro och rädsla uppmätt ett år efter förlossningen, är det av stort värde att följa upp dessa kvinnor, att erbjuda dem stöd i tid inför nästkommande graviditet och förlossning. Det kan vara för sent att sätta in insatser när kvinnan redan är gravid. Det är också av värde att i största möjliga mån sträva efter en vaginal förlossning med bra stöd, information, smärtlindring och förebyggande av komplikationer. / Abstract The prevalence of fear of birth in Sweden has been estimated at 20 % (Eriksson & Nilsson, 2009). Because of this relatively high number of women with fear of birth it is crucial that midwives are able to identify the risk factors associated with developing fear of birth and identify women who experience fear of birth. Aim of study: The overall aim was to examine the prevalence of women experiencing fear of birth during late pregnancy and during birth, examined one year after giving birth. Moreover, the aim of the study was to investigate if there were differences in the level of fear of birth before and after giving birth between different groups of women. Method: A longitudinal cohort study was conducted by means of three self-report questionnaires. There were 153 Swedish prenatal clinics included in the study. The number of participants in the first questionnaire were 3284 and the in the third 1360 participants. Results: During late pregnancy the prevalence of fear of birth was 26.4%. One year after the delivery there was similar prevalence, 28.4%, namely no difference. The women whom have had an emergency caesarean section or an assisted delivery had higher degree of fear of birth one year after delivery (M=7,35) compared to before giving birth (M=5,53). Conclusion: The result of the study shows that women that had an emergency caesarian section or an assisted delivery experienced a significantly higher level of fear and concern measured one year after delivery, therefore it would be of great importance to conduct a follow-up with these women. It is also important to offer them early support before their next pregnancy and delivery. It could be too late to do this when the woman is already pregnant. It is also important, to the greatest extent possible, to aim for a vaginal delivery with the help of good support, information, pain management and prevention of complications.

Bakgrund: Antalet kejsarsnitt ökar såväl globalt som i Sverige. Kejsarsnitt är ett kirurgiskt ingrepp som innebär risker för såväl kvinna som barn. Trots risker önskar förstföderskor att genomgå ingreppet istället för en vaginal förlossning. Barnmorskors professionella stöd är av stor vikt för förstföderskors upplevelse inför, under samt efter sin förlossning. Studien utfördes för att förstå orsakerna till att förstföderskor önskar elektivt kejsarsnitt. Syfte: Var att fördjupa förståelsen kring förstföderskors önskan om elektivt kejsarsnitt. Metod: Kvalitativ innehållsanalys med en induktiv ansats. Datainsamlingen resulterade i 14 bloggar från sökmotorn Google.se som analyserades. Resultat: Analysen resulterade i tre teman: Sökandet efter trygghet inför sin förlossning, Tankar på en vaginal förlossning väcker varierande känslor och Val av förlossningsmetod - en rättighet samt sju subteman. Mest framträdande var känsla av brist på kontroll och otrygghet inför en vaginal förlossning. Möjligheten att få välja förlossningsmetod ansågs vara en mänsklig rättighet. Konklusion: Förstföderskor som önskar elektivt kejsarsnitt sökte trygghet inför sin förlossning. Elektivt kejsarsnitt ingav trygghet då det uppfattades som en mer kontrollerad och säker förlossningsmetod både för kvinnan och barnet. Föreställningen av att genomgå en vaginal förlossning skapade rädsla och obehag. / Background: The number of caesarean sections increases both globally and in Sweden. Although caesarean section is a surgical procedure that involves risks for both women and child, first-time mothers wish to undergo the procedure instead of a vaginal delivery. The midwife's professional support is important for first-time mothers before, during and after childbirth. This study was conducted to understand the reasons why first-time mothers want elective caesarean section. Aim: To deepen the understanding of first-time mothers wish for elective caesarean section. Method: A qualitative content analysis with an inductive approach was used. Google.se was used for data collection, the collection resulted in 14 blogs. Result: The analysis resulted in three themes: The wish for security during childbirth, Thoughts on a vaginal delivery raises a variety of emotions and Choice of birthing method - a right and seven sub-themes. Most prominent was the feeling of lack of control and insecurity for a vaginal delivery. Choice of birthing method was considered a human right. Conclusion: First-time mothers strive for security during childbirth. Elective caesarean section was described as a safe and controlled birthing method. Thoughts on a vaginal delivery raises fear and discomfort for first-time mothers.

Pregnancy and childbirth are important life experiences in a woman’s psychosocial and psychological development. For many women, vaginal birth is still considered an integral part of being a woman and becoming a mother. Furthermore, it is thought to promote maternal well-being through helping women to match their expectations to experiences. For these women, a failed natural birth can be a psychological, psychosocial, and existential challenge that can result in significant and far-reaching consequences for their psychological wellbeing. Research, especially recent research, on the experiences of women who most wanted to, but were unable to deliver their babies naturally is relatively rare. This is surprising given the potential implications of these experiences on a mother’s emotional well-being, as well as for her feelings towards her new baby. Nevertheless, literature on the topic presents a coherent perspective on the problem and indicates that these women experience difficulties in adapting to not being able to fulfill their dream of delivering their baby naturally. There is no existing research on the subjective experiences of South African women who delivered their babies by unplanned Caesarean section. This study therefore aimed to contribute to knowledge that may fill this gap to some extent. Through purposeful sampling, ten mothers who had wanted to deliver their babies naturally, but had not been able to for whatever reason, were selected as the study sample. Various aspects of their birth experiences were explored in indepth phenomenological interviews. This allowed the researcher to probe certain aspects offered by participants in order to understand and explore their contributions in as much depth as possible. A semi-structured, open-ended approach allowed for the exploration of relevant opinions, perceptions, feelings, and comments in relation to the women’s unplanned Caesarean experiences. The transcribed data was synthesized within a framework of phenomenological theory, where women’s experiences were analyzed and explored in an attempt to understand how participants made sense of their experiences. The different aspects of women’s experiences were explored in three substudies. The results are reported in three manuscripts/articles. Research suggests that post-partum adjustment difficulties are influenced by the potentially virulent stress reactions generated in response to a perceived birth trauma. The objective of the first article was to explore women’s labour and birthing accounts with specific regard to the subsequent stress responses experienced. The stress responses experienced by the women in this study both prior to, and during the Caesarean section were predominantly anxiety-based. This was distinguished from the post-partum period, where women described having experienced more depressive symptoms. Post-traumatic stress responses are associated with negative perceptions of the birth, self and infant. The experience of adverse emotional consequences during the post-partum period can undermine a woman’s ability to successfully adapt to her role as a mother, meet the needs of her infant, and cope with post-partum challenges. The second article highlighted the possible impact of women’s unexpected and potentially traumatic childbirth experiences on initial mother-infant bonding. The unplanned Caesarean sections left mothers feeling detached from the birthing process and disconnected from their infants. Passivity, initial separation, and delayed physical contact further compromised mother-infant interaction. Postpartum physical complications and emotional disturbances have important implications for a woman’s perceptions of herself as a mother and her ability to provide for her infant, her self-esteem, and feelings of relatedness with her baby. Adverse responses to a traumatic birth experience could therefore influence the establishment of a maternal role identity, the formation of balanced maternal attachment representations, the caregiving system, and ultimately initial motherinfant bonding. In the third article, women’s experiences were contextualized in relevant coping resources and strategies. The processes occurring during a traumatic birth experience, such as during an unplanned Caesarean section, could be influenced by perceived strengths when coping with the stress related to the incident. The mothers in this study described several factors and coping strategies that they perceived to have been effective in reducing the impact of their traumatic birth experiences. These included active coping strategies, problem-focused coping strategies, and emotion-focused coping strategies. Coping strategies could result in reassessment of the birth process, and be associated with a more positive, acceptable and memorable experience. This study contributes to nursing, midwifery and psychological literature, by adding to the professional understanding of the emotional consequences of surgical delivery on South African childbearing women. This exploration therefore has important implications for preventative measures, therapeutic intervention, and professional guidance. However, the restricted sample may limit the generalizability of results. Further investigation of the experiences of a larger, more biographically and culturally diverse population could be instrumental in the development of knowledge and understanding in this field of study. / Thesis (PhD (Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013

Pregnancy and childbirth are important life experiences in a woman’s psychosocial and psychological development. For many women, vaginal birth is still considered an integral part of being a woman and becoming a mother. Furthermore, it is thought to promote maternal well-being through helping women to match their expectations to experiences. For these women, a failed natural birth can be a psychological, psychosocial, and existential challenge that can result in significant and far-reaching consequences for their psychological wellbeing. Research, especially recent research, on the experiences of women who most wanted to, but were unable to deliver their babies naturally is relatively rare. This is surprising given the potential implications of these experiences on a mother’s emotional well-being, as well as for her feelings towards her new baby. Nevertheless, literature on the topic presents a coherent perspective on the problem and indicates that these women experience difficulties in adapting to not being able to fulfill their dream of delivering their baby naturally. There is no existing research on the subjective experiences of South African women who delivered their babies by unplanned Caesarean section. This study therefore aimed to contribute to knowledge that may fill this gap to some extent. Through purposeful sampling, ten mothers who had wanted to deliver their babies naturally, but had not been able to for whatever reason, were selected as the study sample. Various aspects of their birth experiences were explored in indepth phenomenological interviews. This allowed the researcher to probe certain aspects offered by participants in order to understand and explore their contributions in as much depth as possible. A semi-structured, open-ended approach allowed for the exploration of relevant opinions, perceptions, feelings, and comments in relation to the women’s unplanned Caesarean experiences. The transcribed data was synthesized within a framework of phenomenological theory, where women’s experiences were analyzed and explored in an attempt to understand how participants made sense of their experiences. The different aspects of women’s experiences were explored in three substudies. The results are reported in three manuscripts/articles. Research suggests that post-partum adjustment difficulties are influenced by the potentially virulent stress reactions generated in response to a perceived birth trauma. The objective of the first article was to explore women’s labour and birthing accounts with specific regard to the subsequent stress responses experienced. The stress responses experienced by the women in this study both prior to, and during the Caesarean section were predominantly anxiety-based. This was distinguished from the post-partum period, where women described having experienced more depressive symptoms. Post-traumatic stress responses are associated with negative perceptions of the birth, self and infant. The experience of adverse emotional consequences during the post-partum period can undermine a woman’s ability to successfully adapt to her role as a mother, meet the needs of her infant, and cope with post-partum challenges. The second article highlighted the possible impact of women’s unexpected and potentially traumatic childbirth experiences on initial mother-infant bonding. The unplanned Caesarean sections left mothers feeling detached from the birthing process and disconnected from their infants. Passivity, initial separation, and delayed physical contact further compromised mother-infant interaction. Postpartum physical complications and emotional disturbances have important implications for a woman’s perceptions of herself as a mother and her ability to provide for her infant, her self-esteem, and feelings of relatedness with her baby. Adverse responses to a traumatic birth experience could therefore influence the establishment of a maternal role identity, the formation of balanced maternal attachment representations, the caregiving system, and ultimately initial motherinfant bonding. In the third article, women’s experiences were contextualized in relevant coping resources and strategies. The processes occurring during a traumatic birth experience, such as during an unplanned Caesarean section, could be influenced by perceived strengths when coping with the stress related to the incident. The mothers in this study described several factors and coping strategies that they perceived to have been effective in reducing the impact of their traumatic birth experiences. These included active coping strategies, problem-focused coping strategies, and emotion-focused coping strategies. Coping strategies could result in reassessment of the birth process, and be associated with a more positive, acceptable and memorable experience. This study contributes to nursing, midwifery and psychological literature, by adding to the professional understanding of the emotional consequences of surgical delivery on South African childbearing women. This exploration therefore has important implications for preventative measures, therapeutic intervention, and professional guidance. However, the restricted sample may limit the generalizability of results. Further investigation of the experiences of a larger, more biographically and culturally diverse population could be instrumental in the development of knowledge and understanding in this field of study. / Thesis (PhD (Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013

Background. Pregnant women need adequate antenatal care (ANC) and delivery care fortheir own health and for healthy children. Availability of such care has increased in Vietnam but maternal mortality remains high and variable between population groups. Aims. The general aim of this thesis is to describe and discuss the use of antenatal and delivery care in relation to demographic and socio-economic status and other factors in two health and demographic surveillance sites (HDSS), one rural and one urban. One specificaim of the thesis is to present experiences of running the urban HDSS. Methods. Between April 2008 and December 2009, 2,757 pregnant women were identifiedin the sites. Basic information was obtained from 2,515 of these. The use of ANC was followed to delivery for 2,132. Three indicators were used. ANC was considered overall adequate if the women started ANC within the first trimester, used three or more visits and received all the six recommended core services at least once during pregnancy. Delivery care was studied for all the 2,515 women. Main Findings. Nearly all 2,132 participants used ANC. The mean numbers of visits were 4.4 and 7.7 in the rural and urban areas. Mainly due to less than recommended use of core ANC services, overall ANC adequacy was low in some groups, particularly in the rural area (15.2%). The main risk factors for not having adequate ANC were (i) living in a rural area,(ii) low level of education, (iii) low economic status and (iv) exclusive use of private ANC providers. Rural women accessed ANC mainly at commune health centers and private clinics. Urban women accessed ANC and gave birth at central hospitals and provincial hospitals. Caesarean section (CS) was common among urban women (38.5%). Good socioeconomic condition and male babies were associated with delivery in hospitals and CS births. Almost all women had one or more antenatal ultrasound examination, the mean was about 4.5. Rural women spent 3.0% and 19.0% of the reported annual household income percapita for ANC and delivery care, respectively, compared to 6.1% and 20.6% for urbanwomen. The relative economic burden was heaviest for poor rural women. Conclusion. The coverage of ANC was high in both contexts but with large variations between population subgroups. The major concerns are that poor women in the rural area received incomplete services according to recommendations and that many women, particularly the well-off, in the urban area appeared to overuse technology, ultrasound scanning, delivery in highlevel health care and CS delivery. National maternal healthcare programs should focus on improving ANC service content in rural areas and controlling technology preference in urban. The pregnant women with relatives and friends as well as ANC providers share the responsibility for a positive development. All parties involved must be targeted to improve knowledge, attitudes and practices.

Målsetning:De sentrale problemstillingene oppsummeres gjennom følgende spørsmål: hvor mange andregangsfødende med keisersnittønske endret seg til å ønske vaginal fødsel ved tilbud om aten jordmor de blir kjent meder med på fødselen?Hvordan gikk fødselen i kjent jordmorgruppen?Hvordan var forekomsten av fødselskomplikasjoner ved første fødsel i hele gruppen sammenlignet med normalbefolkningen?Var det forskjeller mellom kjent jordmorgruppen og gruppen som holdt fast ved keisersnittønsketm.h.t. komplikasjoner ved første fødsel, mors alder, diagnoser hos mor eller barn og antall ultralydundersøkelser? Metode:En kvantitativ studie som ved gjennomgang av pasientjournaler fra 2006-2010 på Rikshospitalet fantalle andregangsfødende med et barn i hodeleie som ønsket keisersnitt og fikk tilbud om kjent jordmor. Statistikk fra Medisinsk fødselsregister, fra fødeavdelingens databaserog data fra journaler ble benyttetfor å undersøke forekomsten av fødselskomplikasjoner. Hovedresultat: 129 andregangsfødende med keisersnittønske fikk tilbud om kjent jordmor, 48 ble med i kjent jordmor gruppen og planla vaginal fødsel. Av disse fødte 81,2% vaginalt. De 129 kvinnene hadde opplevd signifikant mer komplikasjonerenn landsgjennomsnittet ved sin første fødsel. Iinnleding og diskusjon ble det lagt vekt på de helsemessige konsekvenser av den økende forekomsten av keisernitt, både planlagte og akutte. Kvinnene i keisersnittgruppen hadde fire ganger så ofte et helseproblem oppstått før svangerskap nummer to og de hadde signifikant oftere opplevd fødselsangst allerede i første svangerskap. Konklusjon: Den sterke økningen i keisersnitt over store deler av verden fører til at det skapes flere helseproblemer enn det løses. Populasjoners og individers helse blir negativt påvirket både mentalt og fysisk, på kort og lang sikt.Helsekonsekvensene diskuteresbåde på individ og gruppeplan i lys av begrepene health locus of control, sense of coherence, mestring, empowerment og folkehelse.Det er av avgjørende betydning å perfeksjonere fødselshjelpen ved vaginale fødsler og å forebygge negative fødselsopplevelser. Tiltak som ”kjent jordmor” hjelper kvinner medkeisersnittønsketil å ville føde vaginalt er viktige bidrag i denne sammenhengen / Aim: This study primarily aimed to determine how many second-time mothers hoping for a caesarean section changed their mind and requested a vaginal delivery when they had the opportunity to know their midwife in advance. Second it wasdetermined which delivery method was experienced by mothers in the known midwife group. The study also compares the rate of delivery complications experienced during first-time delivery for the whole study population compared to the mean population of Norwegian first time mothers. Finally the differences between the women choosing “known midwife” and those who choose caesarean section are explored regarding delivery complications and experience during first pregnancy Method:This quantitative study was conducted at Rikshospitalet in Oslo. All second-time mothers wanting a cesarean delivery without medical indication in 2006 to 2010 and having been offered to participate in the in “the known midwife project” were identified. The study used data from the Norwegian medical birth registry, delivery ward databases, and the patients’ personal journals. Among129 second time mothers desiring a caesarean delivery, 48 joined the “known midwife team” and planned a vaginal birth;the remaining 81 women choseto have a planned caesarean section and were called the “caesarean section group”. In the “known midwife group” 81.2% had a vaginal delivery. The 129 women had experienced significantly more complications than the mean population of Norwegian first time mothers during their first delivery. The women in the “caesarean section group” were four times more likely to have a health problem compared to women in the “known midwife group”. They were also more likely to have experienced birth anxiety during their first pregnancy. Conclusion: The consequences of caesarean section were discussed using terms such as health locus of control, sense of coherence, coping, empowerment, and public health.The major increase in caesarean sections worldwide has resulted in more health problems than they solve. Caesarian section has a negative short-and long-term impact on both mental and physical health. Therefore, it is vitally important to optimize vaginal delivery and prevent bad delivery experiences. Projects such as “the known midwife” help women who are afraid of having a vaginal delivery. Such projects should be encouraged / <p>ISBN 978-91-86739-36-2</p>

Submitted by Luis Guilherme Macena (guilhermelg2004@gmail.com) on 2013-04-04T15:10:16Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Rachel Souza de Queiroz Varella.pdf: 650833 bytes, checksum: e904470b0e9c0296358eadc1aefbb893 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2013-04-04T15:10:16Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Rachel Souza de Queiroz Varella.pdf: 650833 bytes, checksum: e904470b0e9c0296358eadc1aefbb893 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011 / Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto Fernandes Figueira. Departamento de Ensino. Programa de Pós-Graduação em Saúde da Criança e da Mulher. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil / Introdução: A dor é um sintoma freqüente no pós-operatório. Ao contrário do que acontece com outras cirurgias, no pós-operatório da cesariana as mulheres não podem realizar repouso porque precisam cuidar do recém-nascido. A taxa de cesarianas no Brasil é muito elevada e conhecer a percepção de dor das mulheres no pós-operatório desta cirurgia, pode ajudar a estabelecer novas rotinas de utilização de analgésicos. Objetivos: O objetivo desse estudo foi avaliar a dor no pós-operatório de cesariana através do questionário de dor de McGill. Esse instrumento avalia a dor nos seus diferentes aspectos: sensitivo, avaliativo, afetivo e miscelânia. A dor foi avaliada 36 a 48 horas após a cirurgia, quando já houve a metabolização das drogas utilizadas na anestesia. Materiais e métodos: Foi feito um estudo transversal com puerperas de cesariana no período de Dezembro 2010 a Maio de 2011. Participaram da pesquisa 120 mulheres submetidas à cesariana no Instituto Fernandes Figueira- FIOCRUZ, sem complicações no pós-operatório.Resultados: A dor pós-cesariana não apresentou diferença na sua dimensão em relação à idade, raça e renda familiar. A dor apresenta maiores escores no campo cognitivo-avaliativo nas pacientes com maior grau de instrução, e no campo miscelânia, nas mulheres com menor grau de instrução. O PRI afetivo nas pacientes solteiras foi maior quando comparado as pacientes que viviam com o companheiro. Não houve diferença no escore de dor em relação ao número de cesarianas anteriores. Mães com RN na UTI apresentaram maior índice de dor no campo miscelânia que mães com RN no alojamento conjunto. Mães que receberam anestesia com morfina apresentaram índice de dor total, sensitivo e avaliativo maior quando comparado as puérperas que receberam como opióide o fentanil. Mulheres que tiveram a cesariana indicada durante o trabalho de parto, apresentaram um PRI avaliativo maior quando comparada as mulheres que tiveram cesariana eletiva. Conclusão: A grande maioria das mulheres (93,3%) referiu que a dor pós-operatória da cesariana é de intensidade moderada a severa apesar do uso da medicação analgésica regular na prescrição. Mesmo assim, 88,3% das puérperas estavam muito satisfeitas ou satisfeitas com a medicação prescrita para alívio da dor. A utilização da avaliação rotineira do nível de dor percebido pelas puerperas pode proporcionar maior bem estar no período do pós-operatório quando estas mulheres precisam estar ativas para cuidar de seus bebês. / Purpose: Pain is a common postoperative symptom. Unlike other surgeries, in the postoperative period of Caesarean sections patients don’t get much rest because they must take care of their newborn babies. Brazil has one of the highest Caesarean rates in the world, and, thus, knowledge of pain perception in women in the postoperative period of Caesarean operations may help establish new routines in the use of painkillers. Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess pain in the postoperative period following Caesarean sections using the McGill Pain Questionnaire. This instrument assesses the sensory, evaluative, affective and miscellaneous components of pain. Pain was assessed 36 to 48 hours after surgery when the anesthetic drugs were already metabolized in the body. Material and Methods: We performed a cross-sectional study with women who had Caesarean section during the December 2010-May 2011 period. 120 women undergoing Caesarean sections at the Instituto Fernandes Figueira- FIOCRUZ, without surgery complication participated in the study. Results: Pain after Caesarean operation did not differ in terms of age, race and family income. The pain had higher scores in the cognitive-evaluative field in those patients with higher education levels and in the miscellaneous field in patients with lower education levels. The affective component of PRI in unmarried patients was higher compared to patients living with a partner. There was no difference in pain score compared to the number of previous Caesarean sections. Mothers with their babies in the NICU had higher score in the miscellaneous component of PRI than mothers rooming-in with their babies Mothers anesthetized with morphine had higher scores in the total PRI, sensory and evaluative components when compared to the mothers given an opioid such as fentanyl. Women with indication for Caesarean section during labor showed higher scores for the evaluative component of pain compared to women who had elective Caesarean section. Conclusions: Most women (93.3%) reported that postoperative pain intensity is moderate to severe despite the regular use of painkillers. Yet, 88.3% of the mothers were very satisfied or satisfied with the medication prescribed for pain relief. The use of routine assessment of the level of pain perceived by pregnant women can provide greater well-being in the postoperative period when these women must have plenty of energy to take care of their babies.

Bakgrund: Kejsarsnitt har blivit vanligare, orsaken kan vara medicinska indikationer, men också förlossningsrädsla. Att kvinnor som föder barn vaginalt får en bättre upplevelse om de får stöd av en medmänniska är välkänt. Studier av kvinnor som föder barn med planerade kejsarsnitt visar att de också behöver stöd. Detta stöd ges framför allt av anestesisjuksköterskor eftersom barnmorskan är sterilklädd. Syfte: Syftet var att beskriva hur anestesisjuksköterskan ger stöd till den födande kvinnan vid planerat kejsarsnitt i spinalanestesi. Metod: En empirisk, deskriptiv studie med kvalitativ ansats genomfördes. Fem anestesisjuksköterskor intervjuades. Deras berättelser analyserades med kvalitativ innehållsanalys. Resultat: I resultatet framkom fem olika teman och tio subkategorier. Resultatet visar hur anestesisjuksköterskorna ger stöd. Temana var främja delaktighet (kommunicera, involvera närstående), värna integritet (stå bakom, dela födelsen), inge trygghet (vara närvarande, utstråla kompetens, teamarbete) och skapa relation (emotionellt engagemang, använda personligheten, känna in den unika patienten). Det femte temat produktionskrav beskriver de tidspressade förhållanden som gäller där anestesisjuksköterskorna ger stödet. Slutsats: Att ge stöd vid kejsarsnitt innebär att anestesisjuksköterskorna pendlar mellan närhet och distans till patienten, utifrån den unika patientens behov. Målet för stödet var att den blivande modern skulle kunna föda sitt barn lugn och trygg, tillsammans med sin närstående. Arbetsmiljö med flera kejsarsnitt per dag påverkar anestesisjuksköterskornas möjligheter att ge stöd. Klinisk betydelse: Denna studie avser att öka kunskapen om anestesisjuksköterskans stöd vid planerade kejsarsnitt. Detta är en pilotstudie som det kan vara värdefullt att reflektera kring som kliniskt verksam anestesisjuksköterska. / Background: Caesarean section has become more common, the cause may be medical indications, but also fear of childbirth. It is well known that women who give birth vaginally have a better experience if they are supported by a fellow human being. Studies of women who give birth with planned caesarean section shows that they also need support. The purpose was to describe how the nurse anesthetist provides support to the woman in labor at elective caesarean section in spinal anesthesia. Method: An empirical, descriptive study with qualitative approach was conducted. Five nurse anesthetists were interviewed. Their stories were analyzed using qualitative content analysis. Results: The results revealed five different themes and ten subcategories. The results show how a nurse anesthetist provides support. Nurse anesthetists provide support by promoting participation, protect integrity, provide safety and build relationships. The fifth theme, which is called the production requirements, describes the time-strained circumstances of the place where nurse anesthetists provide support. Conclusion: Nurse anesthetists were prepared to provide support so that the mother could give birth to the baby while feeling safe and calm. Working environment with multiple caesarean sections per day affects nurse anesthetist capacity to provide support. Clinical significance: This study intends to increase awareness of the nurse anesthetist support for this form of childbirth. This is a pilot study that it may be useful for the clinically active nurse anesthetist to reflect on.

Caesarean section is a common major surgical procedure and long-term complications have not been fully investigated. By longitudinal population based register studies, based on National health registers and medical data records, maternal complications after caesarean delivery at subsequent labour (N=7 683), among extremely preterm births (N=406), and at remote gynaecologic surgery (N=25 354) were explored. In Paper I, uterine closure was investigated in respect to uterine rupture in a subsequent delivery after caesarean section. Uterine rupture occurred in 1.3 % of women with a previous caesarean section. There was no increased risk of uterine rupture with single compared with double layers for closure of the uterus (adjusted Odds Ratio 1.17, 95 % CI 0.78-1.70). Modifiable risk factors of uterine rupture in a trial of labour after caesarean section included induction of labour and use of epidural analgesia. In Paper II, maternal outcomes and surgical aspects of caesarean section in the extremely preterm period were assessed. Maternal complications were more frequently reported in extremely preterm- compared with term caesarean delivery. No increase in short-term morbidity was observed at 22-24 compared with 25-27 gestational weeks, but uterine corporal incisions were performed more frequently (18.1 % vs. 9.6 %, p=0.02). Furthermore, risk factors for abdominal adhesions after caesarean section and organ injury in remote gynaecologic surgery were analysed (Paper III and IV). Numbers of prior caesarean sections were the most important factor for formation of adhesions. Advanced maternal age, obesity, infection and delivery year 1997-2013 were factors associated with adhesions in conjunction with caesarean section. Organ injury occurred in 2.2 % of women undergoing benign hysterectomy. A history of caesarean section increased the risk (adjusted Odds Ratio 1.74, 95 % CI 1.41-2.15), but was only partly explained by the presence of adhesions. The organ affected depended on medical history; prior caesarean predisposed for bladder injury, prior bowel/pelvic surgery for bowel injury and endometriosis was associated with ureter injury at time of hysterectomy. In conclusion; data from National health registers indicates that caesarean delivery is associated with long-term complications, although the absolute risk of severe complications for the woman is low.