The Effect on the Birth Process of Endogenous Oxytocin Release Via Coitus at Home in Pregnant Women in the Latent Phase.

OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to determine the effect of endogenous oxytocin release via coitus at home on the delivery process in pregnant women who were not hospitalized in the latent phase. BACKGROUND: For healthy pregnant women who can deliver spontaneously, it is recommended to be admitted to the delivery room during the active phase of labor. When the pregnant woman is admitted to the delivery room in the latent phase before the active stage, pregnant women spend more time in the delivery room, which makes medical intervention inevitable. METHODS: 112 pregnant women for whom hospitalization in the latent phase was recommended were included in the randomized controlled study. They were divided into two groups in which sexual activity in the latent phase was recommended (n=56) and the control group (n=56). RESULTS: In our study, the duration of the 1st stage of labor was found to be significantly shorter in the group in which sexual activity in the latent phase was recommended, compared to the control group (p=0.001). Again, the need for amniotomy, labor induction with oxytocin, analgesics and episiotomy decreased. CONCLUSION: Sexual activity can be considered as a natural way to speed up labor, reduce medical interventions, and prevent postterm pregnancy.

The effects of workload on the styles of anger expression and "trait anger" of healthcare professionals working in a COVID-19 pandemic hospital.

PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to determine the effects of workload on the styles of anger expression and "trait anger" of health professionals working in a COVID-19 pandemic hospital. DESIGN AND METHODS: This descriptive study was carried out at a COVID-19 pandemic hospital in Turkey. The sampling consisted of 493 healthcare professionals. The data were evaluated with the SPSS (23.0) software program. FINDINGS: The study found that the participants who perceived the workload as higher, and could not tolerate the work they performed, were high in "trait anger" levels and their anger was suppressed. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Health institutions should consider the recognition of emotional risks and the planning of interventions as a priority for professionals involved in the care of COVID-19 infected patients.

From the perspective of Turkish women: intimate partner violence and perceived stress level in the Covid-19 pandemic.

Pandemic process increase the vulnerability of women to intimate partner violence (IPV). IPV is one of the greatest stress sources a woman can face. This study's purpose to determine effects of the Covid-19 pandemic process on the IPV status and perceived stress levels of women. The population of the descriptive study consisted 834 women working at a state university in Turkey's. 452 women who with intimate partner relationships were included in the sample. Data collection tools were applied via online survey link. The mean age of the women was 30.6 ± 4.20. The The Perceived Stress Scale mean scores of the women were 40.18 ± 3.20. They are not able to cope with stress effectively. It was determined that women participated the study were exposed to more IPV during the pandemic process. It was found that as the frequency of IPV increased, women's perception of stress also increased. Research such as this can be used to help inform decision-makers as they grapple with the adverse negative effects of public health safety measures related to Covid-19.

The relationship between women's perception of support and control during childbirth on fear of birth and mother's satisfaction.

The study was conducted in order to determine the relationship between women's perception of support and control during childbirth on fear of birth and mother's satisfaction. This descriptive study was carried out at the postpartum clinics of a state hospital. Seven hundred and twenty-five puerperal women were included in the sample. T test in independent groups and Pearson's correlation test were used in the evaluation of the data. Seventy-six percent of the puerperal women had vaginal birth, 24% had caesarean section. The mother's perception of control and support at birth was moderate (99.04 ± 17.30), the fear of birth was at clinical level in most of them (92.8%), and the satisfaction at vaginal and caesarean births was low. Puerperal women who had a planned pregnancy, non-invasive birth, birth without perineal tear had higher support and control perception at birth and lower fear of birth than who had unplanned pregnancy, invasive birth, or birth with a perineal tear (p<.05). Puerperal women who did not have any health problems during pregnancy and postpartum period had higher satisfaction levels compared to those who did (p<.05). The high level of perception of support and control at birth decreases the fear of childbirth and increases the satisfaction levels of puerperal women in vaginal and caesarean births. All health professionals, especially perinatal nurses and midwives, should strive to implement care initiatives that are appropriate to the needs of women.Impact StatementWhat is already known on this subject? The mode of delivery, insufficient supportive care during delivery, or perception of supportive care received are among the causes of trauma among women. Birth trauma may cause women to experience stress, anxiety, fear and loss of control, and maternal and foetal/neonatal health is adversely influenced during the delivery and postpartum period. A literature review revealed no study examining the effect of maternal perception of support and control during delivery on fear of childbirth and maternal satisfaction.What the results of this study add? Stronger perception of support and control during delivery reduces fear of childbirth, and also increases puerperal women's levels of satisfaction from care during vaginal and caesarean deliveries.What the implications are of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? Facilitating women's achievement of personal control and expectations during childbirth should be the focus of care interventions. In line with these results, it may be recommended that all healthcare professionals, especially perinatal nurses and midwives, strive to implement care initiatives that comply with the needs of women.

The Relation Between Religious Coping, Adjustment to Fertility, Being Affected by Infertility, and Satisfaction with Life in Turkish Women with Infertility.

Religion has been an important tool in treating the difficulties expereinced by infertile females. This study was conducted to determine the relationship between religious coping styles and infertility adjustment, infertility distress, and satisfaction with life in a group of women with infertility problems. The study was a cross-sectional study that involved a convenience sample of 168 women with infertility living in Turkey. A weak negative correlation was found between women's positive religious coping and infertility distress. There was no significant correlation between women's negative religious coping and their infertility adjustment, infertility distress, and satisfaction with life.

The relationship between body privacy and anxiety in women having gynecological examination.

Protection of privacy during gynecological examination is one of the important ethical principles and invasion of body privacy can cause anxiety. This study was conducted in order to determine the relationship between the level of importance women attach to privacy and the level of anxiety. This descriptive-correlational study consisted of 349 women who applied to the obstetrics outpatient clinic of a university hospital to have gynecological examination. Data were collected using Body Privacy Scale for Gynecology and Obstetrics and State Anxiety Inventory. Before the gynecological examination, the high importance women attach to privacy in rights and all of them experienced anxiety. A positive relationship was found between the importance women attach to privacy and their anxiety levels. It was determined that the importance women attach to body privacy in these areas explained 16.3% of the total variance at the level of anxiety.IMPACT STATEMENTWhat is already known on this subject? Gynecological examination is one of the basic examination methods in the protection of women's health. Protection of body privacy during gynecological examination is one of the most important ethical principles. Failure to exercise due care to ensure body privacy during gynecological examination causes anxiety in women.What do the results of this study add? In our study, it was found that women having gynecological examination place a high degree of emphasis on body privacy. It was determined that all women experienced anxiety before gynecological examination. It was determined that the importance women attach to body privacy was an important determinant in the increasing level of anxiety.What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? Not giving importance to body privacy, increases the level of anxiety before gynecological examination.

Effects of Turkish Classical Music on Postpartum Pain and Anxiety in Cesarean Deliveries: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

CONTEXT: In recent years, delivery via cesarean section (C-section) has been one of the most frequent, major surgical interventions in the world. Reducing post-cesarean delivery-related pain and good pain management are important as is reducing mothers' anxiety. OBJECTIVE: The study intended to determine the effects of music therapy on levels of postpartum pain and anxiety in women who delivered via cesarean section. DESIGN: The randomized controlled trial was conducted with power analysis for a type-I error rate of α:0.05, type-II error rate of ß:0.20, representative power of 0.80, and effect size of 0.62. SETTING: The study took place at a tertiary hospital in a provincial center in Turkey. PARTICIPANTS: Participants were 126 women who were hospitalized at the hospital between February 2018 and October 2018 and who delivered via C-section. INTERVENTION: The participants were allocated to three groups with 42 women each. Intervention groups 1 and 2 listened to music once a day and twice a day, respectively, whereas the control group was given routine care for 2 consecutive days. OUTCOME MEASURES: A visual analog scale (VAS) on pain and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI TX-1) were used to collect the data. RESULTS: The anxiety scores and pain levels were reduced in the intervention groups in comparison to the control group (P < .001). The anxiety scores weren't significantly different between the 2 intervention groups (P > .05), and the pain levels on the second day in intervention group 2 were lower than those of intervention group 1 (P < .05). While the pain levels were reduced in all groups (P < .001), the anxiety scores increased in the control group on the second day (P < .05) and decreased in the 2 intervention groups (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Music therapy can play an effective role in reducing pain and anxiety levels.

Effectiveness of postpartum sexual health education programme structured according to Levine's conservation model: An interventional study.

AIM: This study aimed to determine the effects of a postpartum sexual health education programme structured according to Levine's conservation model on postpartum women. METHODS: The interventional study was completed with 67 postpartum women. The intervention group was given the postpartum sexual health education programme structured according to Levine's conservation model. The control group received routine discharge training. The data were collected using a personal information form, The Index of Female Sexual Function, Arizona Sexual Experience Scale and Golombok-Rust Inventory of Sexual Satisfaction. RESULTS: It has been determined that the decrease in sexual arousal and desire is the first among postpartum sexual problems experienced by women. This study demonstrated that sexual function, sexual satisfaction and sexual response were higher in nonbreastfeeding women, women who had sexual intercourse one to three times a week and women who could talk to health care professionals on sexual matters. After the programme, the intervention group had more adequate sexual function, and they developed a strong, easy and satisfactory sexual response than the control group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: This programme was effective in increasing the sexual functions and satisfaction of the postpartum women. Models provide guidance to nurses for provision of care in a systematic manner.

Anxiety levels and methods of coping with stress of adolescents undergoing their first gynecological examination.

Objective: The present study was conducted to assess the anxiety levels and the methods of coping with the stress of adolescents who underwent their first gynecological examination.Methods: The sample of this descriptive study consisted of 223 married or single adolescent women who went to a state hospital in Sivas Province in Turkey for their first gynecological examination. The data were collected by face-to-face interviews with the Personal Information Form, the State Anxiety Inventory (SAI) and the Ways of Coping Inventory (WCI).Results: There was a statistically significant negative correlation between the SAI scores, and the self-confident approach (r = -0.305; p = 0.001) and optimistic approach (r = -0.170; p = 0.011) of the WCI subscales. A statistically significant positive correlation was found between SAI scores, and the desperate approach (r = 0.153; p = 0.022) and submissive approach (r = 0.143; p = 0.032).Conclusion: Adolescent women who underwent their first gynecological examination have "moderate" levels of anxiety and their coping with stress styles are ineffective. As anxiety levels increase, they use more ineffective methods.

The effect of electronic fetal monitoring (EFM) education program on EFM interpretation skills.

Purpose: The aim of this study is to train midwifery students on electronic fetal monitoring (EFM) within the scope of the course and then to evaluate their pre- and post-course EFM knowledge and EFM interpreting skills.Methods: This interventional study was carried out at the Department of Midwifery, Faculty of Health Sciences. The study population comprised of the senior (last-year, 4th-year) students who attended the Midwifery Department of the Faculty of Health Sciences during the academic years 2015-2016 and 2016-2017. Of the 4th year students in the midwifery department, 42 who attended the school during the academic year 2015-16 and 61 who attended the school during the academic year 2016-2017 and accepted to participate in the study comprised the study sample.Results: The difference between the pre- and post-EFM course scores was statistically significant (p<.05). While the mean score obtained by the students before the EFM course was 55.29 ± 11.17, it was 76.15 ± 6.72 after the EFM course. Analysis of the success rates of the midwifery students in the EFM/NST course demonstrated that 80.6% of the students were successful.Conclusions: The findings of the study demonstrated that the participants' postcourse EFM knowledge and trace interpretation skills were better than their precourse EFM knowledge and trace interpretation skills.

Sexual experiences and quality of life in Turkish women using methods of contraception.

The aim of this study was to examine the sexual experiences and quality of life in women using methods of contraception. The sample of this descriptive study consisted of 259 women. The data were collected by the Personal Information Form, the Arizona Sexual Experiences Scale (ASES) and the World Health Organisation Quality of Life Scale (WHOQOL-BREF). It was found that 35.1% of the women use condoms, 30.1% of them use the Intrauterine Device (IUD), 22.0% had problems using the method and 39% had the side effects while using the method. There was a statistically significant difference between the state of having problems using the methods and quality of life average scores and between the state of having side effects and sexual life and quality of life average scores (p < .05). Impact statement What is already known on this subject? Sexual problems are common health problems among women and can lead to loss of self-esteem in women, depression and emotional stress. What do the results of this study add? Women who experience problems using a contraception method have a lower quality of life. Sexual dysfunctions were higher among those who experienced side effects of the methods, quality of life scores were lower. What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? Health professionals should provide information and counselling about possible problems or side effects and ways to cope with these problems or side effects.

The effect of body image on sexual quality of life in obese married women.

In this descriptive and comparative study, our aim was to determine the effect of body image on sexual quality of life in obese married women. The sample of the study consisted of 583 women over the age of 18 (38.9% normal weight, 28.5% overweight, and 32.6% obese). Data were collected using The Body Image Scale and The Sexual Quality of Life Scale-Women's Form. The body image satisfaction and sexual quality of life levels of obese women were found to be low. Additionally, as the positive body image increased in normal weight, overweight and obese women, sexual quality of life increased.

Effects of traditional practices in the postpartum period on postpartum depression.

In this descriptive study, our aim was to assess the effects of traditional practices on postpartum depression. The participants were 461 Muslim mothers with infants aged between 2 weeks and 12 months, without a history of postpartum depression or other psychiatric problems and capable of communicating fluently. The participants were volunteers and were recruited from family health centers in urban Turkey between January 15 and April 15, 2015. Data were collected in a single face-to-face interview with each participant. Mothers in the research locality frequently have recourse to traditional practices in the postpartum period and the incidence of postpartum depression appears to be lower amongst those who use such practices.

The Effect of Uterine and Nipple Stimulation on Induction With Oxytocin and the Labor Process.

AIMS: The present research study was conducted with the objective of determining the effect of uterine and nipple stimulation on induction with oxytocin and the birth process. METHODS: A randomized controlled experiment was conducted at the maternity ward of a state hospital located in the province of Sivas in Turkey. Three hundred ninety pregnant women who were giving birth via vaginal delivery were randomly assigned to three groups (nipple stimulation, uterine stimulation, control). After the birth, the groups were assessed in terms of the birth duration and synthetic induction with oxytocin. Statistical analyses were performed through the use of SPSS 14.0 software and included analysis of variance, Tukey's test, Dunnett's test, Tamhane's T2 test, and chi-square test. RESULTS: The study established statistically significant differences (p < .05) among the groups in terms of the average durations of the first, second and third phases of the action of birth, the status concerning delivery by C-section and the application of labor induction. The phases of birth were shorter for the nipple stimulation group (first phase: 3.8 hours, second phase: 16 minutes, third phase: 5 minutes) and the uterine stimulation group (first phase: 4.0 hours, second phase: 21 minutes, third phase: 6 minutes) when compared to the control group (first phase: 6.8 hours, second phase: 27 minutes, third phase: 6 minutes). In the control group, 89.2% of the pregnant women were subject to labor induction and 8.5% to cesarean section. No women in the nipple stimulation group or uterine stimulation group had a cesarean section. LINKING EVIDENCE TO ACTION: Nipple and uterine stimulation reduce the frequency of elective labor induction, the rate of relevant complications, and support normal vaginal birth by providing endogenous labor induction. Therefore, these interventions should be considered for pregnant women in labor.

Effect of perineal massage on the rate of episiotomy and perineal tearing.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effects of perineal massage during active labor on the frequency of episiotomy and perineal tearing. METHODS: A randomized controlled study was conducted at a center in Sivas, Turkey, between January 1, 2010, and May 31, 2011. Healthy pregnant women presenting for their first or second delivery at 37-42 weeks of pregnancy were enrolled during the first stage of labor. Participants were randomly assigned (1:1) to the massage group (10-minute perineal massage with glycerol four times during the first stage and once during the second stage of labor) or control group (routine care). The frequency of episiotomy and perineal tearing were compared between the groups. Participants and investigators were not masked to group assignment. RESULTS: Both groups contained 142 participants. Episiotomy was performed among 44 (31.0%) women in the massage group and 99 (69.7%) in the control group (P = 0.001). Lacerations were recorded among 13 (4.2%) women in the massage group and 6 (4.2%) in the control group (P = 0.096). CONCLUSION: Application of perineal massage during active labor decreased the frequency of episiotomy procedures. ClinicalTrials.gov:NCT02201615.

Determining the knowledge of women and their attitudes regarding gynecological cancer prevention.

The current study determines the knowledge of female course attendees of the "Municipality Cultural Center for Women", located in the city center of Sivas, Turkey, and their attitudes regarding gynecological cancer prevention. The participants of the study include 497 women attending one of the two Municipality Cultural Centers situated in the city center of Sivas. In this study, the sample was not selected; all participants were encompassed within the scope of our research. A total of 418 female course attendees who volunteered to participate in the research were identified as the sample. The data were collected during the months March-June 2011, by a questionnaire developed by the researchers. To compare the distribution of the collected data "Anova", "two independent t test examples" and "chi square test" were used. The research indicates that 45.1% of the women had had gynecological examination as a consequence of a physical disorder. The reason for 54.9% of the women to have gynecological examination is to have been scanned to check for gynecological cancer, 51.2% had a pap smear test. Some 34.9% of them had obtained information about cervical cancer, 39.7% via radio, television or internet and 36.3% from a doctor. Age, education level and marital status of the women participating in this study demonstrated statistically significant correlations (p<0.05) with gynecological examination and undergoing a pap smear test.