Women's experiences of cervical ripening as inpatients on an antenatal ward.

OBJECTIVE: To gain an insight into women's lived experiences of inpatient cervical ripening, in the context of usual care, whilst they were admitted as inpatients on an antenatal ward. METHODS: A qualitative design was used guided by an interpretative phenomenological approach. Seven women who had experienced inpatient cervical ripening on an antenatal ward in Wales (UK) agreed to participate in the study. Data were gathered from semi-structured interviews and analysed thematically. RESULTS: Four overarching themes were identified relating to participants' support from significant others, their understanding of the procedure, perception of their own physiological sensations, and their sense of freedom within the ward environment. CONCLUSIONS: Strict adherence to ward rules and procedures appeared to undermine women's experiences of cervical ripening as inpatients on an antenatal ward. Facilitating the continued presence of family members, improving the provision of information, listening to women and enhancing their perception of freedom within the ward environment are strategies that may have a positive influence on women's experiences of inpatient cervical ripening. This study has provided an insight into women's experiences of usual care, during the cervical ripening procedure, as inpatients on an antenatal ward.

Antenatal interventions for reducing weight in obese women for improving pregnancy outcome.

BACKGROUND: Being obese and pregnant is associated with substantial risks for the mother and her child. Current weight management guidance for obese pregnant women is limited. The latest recommendations suggest that obese pregnant women should gain between 5.0 and 9.1 kg during the pregnancy period, and weight loss is discouraged. However, observational studies indicate that some obese pregnant women, especially those who are heavier, lose weight during pregnancy. Furthermore, some obese pregnant women may intentionally lose weight. The safety of weight loss when pregnant and obese is not substantiated; some observational studies suggest that risks associated with weight loss such as pre-eclampsia are improved, but others indicate that the incidence of small- for-gestational infants are increased. It is important to evaluate interventions that are designed to reduce weight in obese pregnant women so that the safety of weight loss during this period can be established. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effectiveness of interventions that reduce weight in obese pregnant women. SEARCH METHODS: We searched the Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group's Trials Register (31 July 2012) and contacted experts in the field. SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomised controlled trials, 'quasi-random' studies and cluster-randomised trials comparing a weight-loss intervention with routine care or more than one weight loss intervention. Cross-over trials were not eligible for inclusion. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: We identified no studies that met the inclusion criteria for this review. MAIN RESULTS: There were no included trials. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: There are no trials designed to reduce weight in obese pregnant women. Until the safety of weight loss in obese pregnant women can be established, there can be no practice recommendations for these women to intentionally lose weight during the pregnancy period. Further study is required to explore the potential benefits, or harm, of weight loss in pregnancy when obese before weight loss interventions in pregnancy can be designed. Qualitative research is also required to explore dietary habits of obese pregnant women, especially those who are morbidly obese.

A qualitative study of the experiences of women who are obese and pregnant in the UK.

OBJECTIVE: to explore the experiences related to obesity in women with a body mass index (BMI)>35 kg/m(2) during the childbearing process. DESIGN: a qualitative design was used. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews and field notes. Women were interviewed in the third trimester of pregnancy and between three and nine weeks after the birth. Transcribed data were analysed using framework analysis methods. SETTING: one maternity service in the North of England. PARTICIPANTS: 19 women with BMI>35 kg/m(2). FINDINGS: these women highlighted their feelings of humiliation, and the stigma associated with being pregnant, when obese. Interactions with health professionals and the general public reinforced their discomfort about their size. The high-risk status of their pregnancy increased the medicalisation of their pregnancy. The ultrasound scan was a significant source of distress if difficulties imaging the fetus were not clearly explained during the procedure. KEY CONCLUSIONS: pregnant women who are obese are sensitive of their size. The interactions with health professionals and others that they encounter may increase distress. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: health professionals should be more aware of the psychological implications of being obese. Communication strategies about care should be clear and honest, and conveyed in a sensitive manner. Written comments related to size on 'hand-held' notes should be explained at the time of writing.

Antenatal interventions for reducing weight in obese women for improving pregnancy outcome.

This is the protocol for a review and there is no abstract. The objectives are as follows: To evaluate the effectiveness of interventions that reduce weight in obese pregnant women.

The power of language: a secondary analysis of a qualitative study exploring English midwives' support of mother's baby-feeding practice.

OBJECTIVE: to explore the use of language by midwives reporting their experiences of baby-feeding practice. DESIGN: A qualitative approach incorporating a secondary analysis of data previously collected in a study based on grounded theory principles. Data were collected using in-depth interviews. The secondary analysis involved a content analysis method. SETTING: two maternity services in the north of England. PARTICIPANTS: 30 midwives who worked across all clinical areas. FINDINGS: these midwives' explanations of how they supported women with baby feeding suggest that they used language to direct women towards decisions that the midwives thought best, without prior exploration of the woman's understanding and beliefs of baby feeding. Women were often described as 'girls' and 'ladies' indicating the power differentials in their relationship. The midwives were aware that, at times, the language they used was contradictory to woman-centred maternity care. KEY CONCLUSIONS: language may be used to control childbearing women and direct them to decisions that the midwife wants, rather than enabling the woman to make her own decisions. The terms used by midwives to relate to women, such as 'girls' and 'ladies', may be a strategy used to improve a midwife's perception of her status in maternity care. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: language may be used to undermine women. It is important that the language used when interacting with women is considered carefully in order to facilitate an unbiased perspective and to promote partnership. The word 'women', rather than 'girls' or 'ladies', should be used when referring to users of the maternity services.

A qualitative study of mild to moderate psychological distress during pregnancy.

BACKGROUND: Psychological distress is common in the antenatal period. In England, psychological distress is classified as mild, moderate or severe but only those who suffer severe psychological distress are referred to the specialist mental health services. Those who suffer mild to moderate psychological distress are managed by the primary care services. However, little is know about the psychosocial experiences of pregnant women who suffer from mild-moderate psychological distress. OBJECTIVE: This study explored the experiences of pregnant women who self-reported mild to moderate psychological distress during antenatal care. DESIGN: A qualitative study. Data were collected using digitally recorded, face-to-face, semi-structured interviews. Data were analysed using framework analysis. SETTING: A large teaching maternity hospital in North West England. PARTICIPANTS: Twenty-four pregnant women who self-reported mild to moderate psychological distress to their midwife during routine antenatal care. RESULTS: Three main themes emerged: the causes of, impact of, and ways of controlling self-reported mild to moderate psychological distress. A range of experiences caused psychological distress including past life and childbearing experiences, and current pregnancy concerns. Mild to moderate psychological distress took over the lives of these pregnant women. The strategies used to control mild to moderate psychological distress included both positive and negative coping elements. CONCLUSIONS: Psychological distress that is categorised as mild to moderate can be extremely debilitating for pregnant women. Identification of these women in clinical practice is crucial so that effective interventions can be targeted appropriately. Screening criteria that has the efficacy to identify depression and anxiety is needed. We recommend that a multidisciplinary approach to the management of care is developed to address the range of experiences that pregnant women who suffer mild to moderate prenatal psychological distress may have.

Breastfeeding practice in the UK: midwives' perspectives.

Despite breastfeeding prevalence increasing, many mothers in developed countries are dissatisfied with care provided by midwives. However, a paucity of research exists related to midwives' experiences of supporting breastfeeding mothers. This study explored the experiences of English midwives' during their breastfeeding support role. A qualitative study using grounded theory principles was used. Data were collected using in-depth interviews and analysed using constant comparative techniques. The setting was two maternity hospitals in the North of England, UK. Thirty midwives who cared for normal, healthy babies participated. Volunteers were recruited using theoretical sampling techniques. The core category that emerged is called 'surviving baby feeding' and relates to midwives' experiences when supporting mothers. The results reported in this paper refer to one category called 'doing well with feeding' which has three main themes: (1) communicating sensitively, (2) facilitating breastfeeding, and (3) reducing conflicting advice. Participating midwives reported practice that suggests that they valued breastfeeding, attempted to provide realistic information and advice, and tried to minimise confusion for mothers. However, some midwives used an authoritative manner when conversing with mothers. English midwives' reported practice demonstrates that these midwives appreciated that breastfeeding mothers required specific support. However, breastfeeding education that encourages midwives to develop effective skills in ascertaining mother's needs, but also encourages mothers to effectively participate in their care, should be provided. Further research is needed to clarify breastfeeding mothers' expectations and needs.

The emotions of integrating breastfeeding knowledge into practice for English midwives: a qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: Breastfeeding prevalence in the United Kingdom is one of the lowest in Europe. The midwife provides feeding support for new mothers but research suggests that midwives' knowledge of breastfeeding is limited. OBJECTIVE: To discover the views of English midwives in relation to their breastfeeding support role. DESIGN: Qualitative design. SETTINGS: Two maternity hospitals in Northwest England. PARTICIPANTS: Thirty midwives who cared for normal, healthy babies. Midwives were selected for interview using theoretical sampling principles from a pool of midwives who volunteered. Volunteers were accessed using a poster exhibited in relevant clinical areas. METHODS: Data were collected using audiotaped, in-depth interviews and were analysed using constant comparison techniques. RESULTS: The study highlights that differing professional knowledge and beliefs about breastfeeding support created intense, mainly negative, emotions for these midwives. Irritation and despair was experienced with the greater emphasis placed on research, rather than practice knowledge in policy and recommendations for practice. Disappointment was experienced when mothers did not conform to midwives' expectations. Conflict with differing peer-based knowledge generated feelings of intimidation and annoyance for some midwives. Some midwives demonstrated that they can sustain clinical decisions whilst based in a hostile environment, but others conformed to the practice expectations of their peers. Happiness was experienced when midwives described positive relationships with mothers, rather than their professional colleagues. CONCLUSIONS: The utilisation of professional knowledge in breastfeeding practice was a highly complex issue, and generated significant negative emotional distress, for these midwives.

Midwives in the UK: an exploratory study of providing newborn feeding support for postpartum mothers in the hospital.

Our objective was to explore English midwives' views and experiences of supporting mothers with feeding their newborn baby. Grounded theory methodology was used. Data were collected using in-depth interviews from 30 midwives in the North of England. Data were analyzed using constant comparison techniques. Midwives were theoretically sampled for interview from a pool of volunteers recruited from a poster promoting the study in the clinical areas. Overall, hospital midwives felt that they did not have enough time to support mothers with feeding their neonate. To cope with these time constraints, midwives developed practices of rationing the time that they spent with mothers, and the rationing of resources available to mothers, to help them process mothers through the hospital services. These practices have important implications for the success of breastfeeding in hospitals as the practices by providers who are assigned to help breastfeeding initiation described here may inhibit the breastfeeding process.

'Breaking the rules' in baby-feeding practice in the UK: deviance and good practice?

OBJECTIVE: to discover the views of midwives in relation to baby feeding. DESIGN AND METHOD: qualitative using grounded theory. Data collection used in-depth interviews with 30 midwives who volunteered to participate. Field notes of the interaction between the researcher and participant were also recorded as data. The constant comparison process was used to generate codes and subsequent conceptualisations from the data. SETTING: two maternity units in the North of England, UK. FINDINGS: the core category of this study is called 'surviving' baby feeding, and the findings reported here are a significant theme that emerged. These midwives described a management strategy termed 'breaking the rules' for supporting mothers with baby feeding. The concept 'breaking the rules' represented practices that were not congruent with evidence-based, baby-feeding policy and recommendations, or with some practices that were usual in the local working environment. These midwives were aware of their actions but described how they 'hid' their behaviour from mothers and from their peers. Some of the behaviour described showed that these midwives 'broke the rules' in relation to professional requirements and the facilitation of informed decision making about feeding practices with the women in their care. However, some midwives reported examples of practice that is woman-centred, and supportive of baby feeding, but this was not acceptable to others in the working environment. KEY CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: deviant behaviour was described by these midwives in relation to informed decision making and options for mothers in baby-feeding practice. These midwives 'knowingly concealed' their deviant practices from others. These behaviours should be taken seriously as they risk being negligent in relation to UK statutory professional requirements. However, practices that depart from those that are normal in the local working environment are not always negative and detrimental to the recipients of care; they can be positive. There needs to be more research, open discussion and debate about midwifery practice that does not always 'fit in' with professional, and 'normal' expectations. In this study, the term 'baby feeding' relates to how babies' nutritional needs are met.