"Maternal Vaccination Greatly Depends on Your Trust in the Healthcare System": A Qualitative Study on the Acceptability of Maternal Vaccines among Pregnant Women and Healthcare Workers in Barcelona, Spain.

The World Health Organization (WHO) identified vaccine hesitancy as one of the top 10 threats to global health in 2019. Health promotion and education have been seen to improve knowledge and uptake of vaccinations in pregnancy. This qualitative study was conducted based on phenomenology, a methodological approach to understand first-hand experiences, and grounded theory, an inductive approach to analyse data, where theoretical generalisations emerge. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with pregnant women attending antenatal care services and healthcare workers (HCWs) in Barcelona, Spain. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and coded, and notes were taken. Inductive thematic analysis was performed, and data were manually coded. Pertussis was reported as the most trusted vaccine among pregnant women due to its long-standing background as a recommended vaccine in pregnancy. The influenza vaccine was regarded as less important since it was perceived to cause mild disease. The COVID-19 vaccine was the least trustworthy for pregnant women due to uncertainties about effectiveness, health effects in the mid- and long-term, the fast development of the vaccine mRNA technology, and the perceptions of limited data on vaccine safety. However, the necessity to be vaccinated was justified by pregnant women due to the exceptional circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic. The recommendations provided by HCW and the established relationship between the HCW, particularly midwives, and pregnant women were the main factors affecting decision-making. The role of mass media was perceived as key to helping provide reliable messages about the need for vaccines during pregnancy. Overall, vaccines administered during pregnancy were perceived as great tools associated with better health and improved quality of life. Pregnancy was envisioned as a vulnerable period in women's lives that required risk-benefits assessments for decision-making about maternal vaccinations. A holistic approach involving the community and society was considered crucial for health education regarding maternal vaccines in support of the work conducted by HCWs.

Perceptions of COVID-19 Maternal Vaccination among Pregnant Women and Healthcare Workers and Factors That Influence Vaccine Acceptance: A Cross-Sectional Study in Barcelona, Spain.

COVID-19 is associated with poor maternal and pregnancy outcomes. COVID-19 vaccination is recommended in Spain, yet vaccination rates in pregnancy are suboptimal. This study investigates the perceptions of pregnant women and healthcare workers (HCW) regarding COVID-19 vaccination. A web-based cross-sectional quantitative study was conducted in 2021-2022 among 302 pregnant women and 309 HCWs in the Catalan public health system. Most pregnant women (83%) and HCWs (86%) were aware of COVID-19 maternal vaccines. The recommendation of the COVID-19 vaccination by an HCW was identified as the greatest facilitator for maternal vaccine uptake, while the fear of harming the foetus was the most significant barrier reported for rejecting vaccination. HCWs recognised they received limited information and training about COVID-19 vaccination in pregnancy, which hindered them from providing informed recommendations. This study highlights that information and education on COVID-19 vaccines to pregnant women and health professionals are pivotal to ensuring informed decision-making and increasing vaccine uptake.

Effectiveness of a Step Counter Smartband and Midwife Counseling Intervention on Gestational Weight Gain and Physical Activity in Pregnant Women With Obesity (Pas and Pes Study): Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Women who are pregnant and have obesity and excessive gestational weight gain (GWG) present a higher risk of maternal and perinatal complications. The use of mobile apps and a wristband during pregnancy may contribute to promoting healthy lifestyles and, thus, improving maternal and neonatal health. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a complex digital health intervention, using a smartband and app with midwife counseling, on GWG and physical activity (PA) in women who are pregnant and have obesity and analyze its impact on maternal and perinatal outcomes. In addition, we aim to study the frequency of use, usability, and satisfaction with the mobile apps used by the women in the intervention group. METHODS: A parallel, 2-arm, randomized controlled trial was conducted. A total of 150 women who were pregnant and had obesity were included. The intervention group received a complex combined digital intervention. The intervention was delivered with a smartband (Mi Band 2) linked to the app Mi Fit to measure PA and the Hangouts app with the midwife to provide personal health information. The control group received usual care. The validated Spanish versions of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form and the System Usability Scale were used. Satisfaction was measured on a 1- to 5-point Likert scale. RESULTS: We analyzed 120 women, of whom 30 (25%) were withdrawn because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The median GWG in the intervention group was 7.0 (IQR 4-11) kg versus 9.3 (IQR 5.9-13.3) kg in the control group (P=.04). The adjusted mean GWG per week was 0.5 (95% CI 0.4-0.6) kg per week in the control group and 0.3 (95% CI 0.3-0.4) kg per week in the intervention group (df=0.1, 95% CI -0.2 to 0.03; P=.008). During the 35 and 37 gestational weeks, women in the intervention group had higher mean PA than women in the control group (1980 metabolic equivalents of tasks-minutes per week vs 1386 metabolic equivalents of tasks-minutes per week, respectively; P=.01). No differences were observed between the study groups in the incidence of maternal and perinatal outcomes. In the intervention group, 61% (36/59) of the women who were pregnant used the smartband daily, and 75% (44/59) evaluated the usability of the Mi Fit app as excellent. All women in the intervention group used the Hangouts app at least once a week. The mean of the satisfaction scale with the health counseling app and midwife support was 4.8/5 (SD 0.6) points. CONCLUSIONS: The use of a complex mobile health intervention was associated with adequate GWG, which was lower in the intervention group than in the control group. In addition, we observed that the intervention group had increases in PA. No differences were observed in maternal perinatal complications. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03706872; https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03706872.

Efectividad de una intervención digital compleja en los hábitos alimentarios de gestantes con obesidad preconcepcional / Effectiveness of a complex digital intervention on eating habits in pregnant women with pre-pregnancy obesity

Objetivo: Evaluar la efectividad de una intervención digital compleja, en gestantes con obesidad, con la provisión de consejos sobre hábitos alimentarios y el soporte virtual de una matrona a través de una app, respecto a los hábitos alimentarios, así como analizar el grado de satisfacción global con la intervención digital. Métodos: Se realizó un ensayo clínico paralelo aleatorizado con dos brazos 1:1 con grupo intervención (GI) y grupo control (GC). Se incluyeron 150 gestantes con obesidad preconcepcional. Ambos grupos recibieron el control prenatal habitual. La intervención en el GI fue el uso de una pulsera de actividad y la recepción de consejos sobre hábitos alimentarios mediante una app, y el soporte virtual de una matrona. Se utilizó el «Cuestionario de hábitos alimentarios para pacientes con sobrepeso y obesidad» en una escala Likert de 1 a 5. Las pruebas estadísticas fueron bilaterales y se evaluaron a un nivel α de 0,05. Los análisis se realizaron con SPSS v. 25 y SAS v. 9.4.Resultados: Se analizaron 110 (73,3 % del total) mujeres. En el GI la puntuación media de los hábitos alimentarios fue mayor que en el GC (3,49 ± 0,36 vs. 3,35 ± 0,41; p= 0,056), pero no se observaron diferencias estadísticamente significativas. En el GI, la puntuación media del consumo del tipo de alimentos fue mayor que en el GC (3,49 ± 0,78 vs. 3,18 ± 0,71; p= 0,019). El grado de satisfacción global fue de 4,76 ± 0,6 puntos de media. Conclusiones: El uso de una intervención digital compleja fue efectivo en la mejora del consumo del tipo de alimentos respecto a las gestantes que solo recibieron el control prenatal habitual. (AU)

Objective: To assess the effectiveness of a complex digital health intervention, in pregnant women with obesity, by means of an app for advice eating habits and a virtual midwife’s support, regarding their eating habits, and also to analyze the global satisfaction with digital intervention.Methods: A parallel randomized clinical trial with two arms 1:1 with intervention group (IG) and control group (CG) was conducted. 150 pregnant women with pre-pregnancy obesity were included. Both groups received usual prenatal care. The intervention, in the IG, was delivered with smartband and an app providing advice about eating habits and with a virtual midwife to support women. The validated «Questionnaire of eating habits for patients with overweight and obesity» was administrated and measured using a 1-to-5-point Likert scale. Statistical tests were two-sided and evaluated at an α level of 0.05. Analyzes were performed with SPSS v. 25 and SAS v. 9.4.Results: 110 (73.3% of the total) women were analyzed. In the IG, the mean score for eating habits was higher than in the CG (3.49 ± 0.36 versus 3.35 ± 0.41; p=0.056), but no statistically significant differences were observed. In the IG, the mean score for the intake of the type of food was higher than in the CG (3.49 ± 0.78 versus 3.18 ± 0.71; p=0.019). The mean of global satisfaction was 4.76 ± 0.6 points. Conclusions: The use of a complex digital intervention was effective in improving the intake of the type of food compared to pregnant women who only received usual prenatal care. (AU)

Women's psychological experiences of physiological childbirth: a meta-synthesis.

OBJECTIVE: To synthesise qualitative studies on women's psychological experiences of physiological childbirth. DESIGN: Meta-synthesis. METHODS: Studies exploring women's psychological experiences of physiological birth using qualitative methods were eligible. The research group searched the following databases: MEDLINE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, PsycARTICLES, SocINDEX and Psychology and Behavioural Sciences Collection. We contacted the key authors searched reference lists of the collected articles. Quality assessment was done independently using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) checklist. Studies were synthesised using techniques of meta-ethnography. RESULTS: Eight studies involving 94 women were included. Three third order interpretations were identified: 'maintaining self-confidence in early labour', 'withdrawing within as labour intensifies' and 'the uniqueness of the birth experience'. Using the first, second and third order interpretations, a line of argument developed that demonstrated 'the empowering journey of giving birth' encompassing the various emotions, thoughts and behaviours that women experience during birth. CONCLUSION: Giving birth physiologically is an intense and transformative psychological experience that generates a sense of empowerment. The benefits of this process can be maximised through physical, emotional and social support for women, enhancing their belief in their ability to birth and not disturbing physiology unless it is necessary. Healthcare professionals need to take cognisance of the empowering effects of the psychological experience of physiological childbirth. Further research to validate the results from this study is necessary. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42016037072.