Domestic violence against pregnant women in Iran

To determine the relationship between preterm birth and domestic violence against pregnant women in Iran. This cross-sectional study was carried out on 600 women who were hospitalized for giving birth in one of hospitals affiliated to Tehran Medical Science University in Iran, between September 9, 2010 and December 30, 2010. This study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee affiliated with Tehran University, Iran. We applied Abuse Assessment Screen [AAS] Questionnaire. A total of 338 participants [56.3%] declared to experience domestic violence during pregnancy. Psychological violence was the most common form of violence against these women in postpartum [51.3%], and followed by physical violence [5%]. Prevalence rate of premature labor was 37.7% among all women in this study which 63.3% of this rate belongs to abuse women. It is noted that healthcare providers with screening violence during pregnancy and assessing the prevalence, consequences, and possible interventions may help to reduce domestic violence against pregnant women

[Maternal-fetal attachment and its associated factors]

Maternal-fetal attachment plays an important role in maternal identity forming. The attachment behavior is different between mothers; and most of the reported studies are from Western countries. The aim of this study was to assess maternal-fetal attachment behavior and some related factors among Iranian mothers. This cross-sectional study was carried out in 12 health and medical centers, affiliated to Tehran University of Medical Sciences. Four hundred pregnant women were selected for the study. Data were gathered using two questionnaires. The first one was a self-structured questionnaire and the second one was the maternal-fetal attachment scale. Data were analyzed using the Pearson, Anova and t-test statistical tests. The P<0.05 denoted statistical significance. Findings showed that the mothers had good attachment toward their fetuses [M=84.72]. The race, higher maternal age, higher education, gestational age, planned pregnancy, sex of fetus, and assessing health of fetus had positive effects on prenatal attachment [P<0.05]. Tobacco use, multiparity, and high risk pregnancy had negative effects on attachment. There were no relationships between attachment and previous marriage, infertility, abortion, number/type of ultrasound, participation in prenatal classes and healthy baby [P>0.05]. Understanding maternal-fetal attachment behavior could play an important role in quality of prenatal care. Midwives can assess and promote attachment behavior as well as recognize factors influencing maternal-fetal attachment

[ process of women's decision making for selection of cesarean delivery]

Although cesarean section has been considered as a way for reducing infant and mother mortality rate, it has been changed to a general dilemma, so that in Iran, cesarean rate is higher than World Health Organization standards. The aim of this study was to discover the process of decision making for selection of cesarean delivery by those who did not have indication for cesarean. Grounded theory method was used in this study. Twenty six pregnant women, experiencing the third trimester, were selected based on purposeful and theoretical sampling. For access to participants, the researcher referred to one teaching health care centers of Iran University of Medical Sciences and two private offices of gynecology in Tehran, Iran. The data were collected by semi-structured interviews. All data were audio taped and transcribed. Data collection and analysis was performed simultaneously. Constant comparative method was used to analyze data. The main categories were "fear due to not having knowledge", "being painless, and physical and spiritual peace" and "unpleasant experience of others and their encouragement", "being worry of complications", inappropriate communication of health care staff", and "the feeling of loneliness and death", "infant's health". Constant analysis of data revealed that women get through for creation balance in order to receipt the best result, process of to consider, making a lawful and to choice. Attentive to main theme that it is fear of labor and delivery is a physiology phenomenon. It is necessary to encourage methods for relieving pain and fear and for promoting self-esteem in order to make good decision by pregnant women. It is also important to encourage women for vaginal delivery