Previous investigations into postnatal debriefing have had mixed results regarding its effectiveness and have not established best practices for its usage.1 Shortcomings of prior studies included the heterogeneity of types of debriefing delivery, which varied across contexts (format, setting, provider type), and varying inclusion and exclusion criteria.1 Importantly,...

The WHO recommendations around intrapartum care aim that a positive experience of childbirth should be the outcome of labour for each woman.1 Care should be experienced as clinically and psychologically safe1 and provide emotional as well as practical support.1 Yet, racist practices can limit this. However, among staff, black women are perceived...

Although care for low-risk births in the Netherlands is primarily conducted by midwives, the use of consultant-led care has been increasing for a variety of indications, leading to a high patient burden for consultants. The induction of labour (IOL) of late-term pregnancies has historically been an indication for consultant-led care. This study by Velthuijs et...

The use of intrapartum epidurals to manage pain during labour and birth has been globally accepted for decades.1 Kearns et al’s study included all Scottish National Health Service hospitals with birthing units that provide intrapartum care for women between 24 and 42+6 weeks gestation, having either a vaginal or an unplanned caesarean birth.2 Their research highlights the impact of epidural analgesia on 21 indicative conditions identified by the US Centers for Disease Control...

As a result of the mass scale of production of plastics since the 1950s, microplastics, defined as particles 1 Microplastics have been linked to reproductive toxicity in both cell culture...

Symptoms of physical discomfort, such as sleep disturbance, prenatal back pain and postnatal urinary stress incontinence, are commonly associated with pregnancy. Strategies to support women be relieved of, minimise or better manage these symptoms are a welcome approach to improving women’s quality of life whilst pregnant. Exercise is one of many lifestyle factors that...

Caesarean section (CS) rates are rising globally from 7% in 1990 to 21% in 2018.1 There is significant disparity between different economic environments across countries and within populations of the same country with the more affluent, more educated women often declaring a preference for CS.2 The use of appropriate CS has been a life-changing and...

The rate of impaired metabolic regulation is rising among premenopausal women, characterised by decreased insulin sensitivity, increased fasting blood sugar levels and abnormal lipid profiles.1 This metabolic dysfunction is linked to the...

Births complicated with postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) are considered traumatic for the woman and the obstetric team, but in most cases are preventable emergencies. In this study, Elforse et al1 did a qualitative online survey to explore midwives’ experiences of postpartum haemorrhage of more than 1000 mL at birth. According to the authors, in Sweden, PPH treatment will...

Suicide is defined as a ‘direct cause’ of maternal death while pregnant or within 1 year post partum.1 Maternal suicide has been identified as a leading cause of maternal mortality in high-income countries including, for example, the Netherlands, where the study2 was conducted, the UK3 and France.4...

Caesarean section (CS) is a lifesaving intervention which can be used when complications arise during pregnancy or delivery. In the last...

Recent literature has demonstrated benefits of the upright position and mobility during labour, including a reduction in caesarean birth incidence and the promotion of positive childbirth experiences. However, mobilisation during labour is still not a common practice worldwide. This study by Borer and Dubovi investigates the use of interactive-constructive forms of childbirth instruction to improve maternal education of the benefits of mobility and foster positive attitudes towards this style of labouring. Chi...

Menopause has lately been described as a ‘hot topic’.1 The topic is building momentum in terms of its prominence within research prioritisation and workplace issues together with more openness about commonly experienced symptoms in certain elements of mainstream media and social media. However, despite the apparent breaking of an old taboo, several questions remain, such as when and how to provide treatment, how culture and context can influence women’s* personal experience and perceptions and how much impact interventions are having. Given the recent attention, it now seems like a good time to think about how this wave of exposure can be translated into meaningful action. Nursing and midwifery professionals will have a multilevel interest in this topic, from growing understanding and specialist work within menopause as a health issue to considering the impact of menopause in the workplace. This editorial introduces a spotlight on the...

The issue of unmet contraceptive needs remains a gap in global healthcare, despite various contraceptive options available now more than ever.1 Concepts like demand and supply can be used in understanding unmet contraceptive needs. Demand can highlight individual preferences shaped...

In the USA, the incidence of cannabis use in pregnancy has increased from 3% (2002) to 7% (2017),1 with a higher occurrence in young people and adolescents.2 There is a perception that cannabis is lower risk compared with other prescribed medicines during pregnancy,3 leading to increased accessibility and acceptance. However, there are safety concerns...

Despite firm evidence on the safety of abortion,1 a large number of myths concerning the risks associated with the treatment remain, particularly in the USA. The current political climate, which has seen increasing legal and regulatory restrictions placed on abortion, has encouraged the spread of misinformation. This has led to the perception that abortion has substantial physical and mental health risks....

While guidelines provide evidence-based recommendations for women with type 1 diabetes in pregnancy, women’s perceptions of these recommendations are not well-known. Toledo-Chavarri and colleagues explore these perceptions and found that continuity of care, coordination between health professionals and services, and a more holistic approach are key aspects that are needed for more acceptable, feasible and equitable peripartum care.1

Toledo-Chavarri and colleagues...

According to the literature, it appears that obese pregnant women are more likely to undergo a caesarean section than non-obese women. However, the mechanisms underlying these data have not yet been clarified.

The aim of the study of Wyss et al1 was to assess the factors contributing to the association...

Since 2016, Miller and colleagues proposed the concept of ‘too much too soon and too little too late’ to describe an imbalance in maternity care in terms of both resources and the translation of evidence.1 The over-medicalisation of births in high-resource nations frequently results in less than ideal outcomes, and this varies greatly between states and regions. When compared with other industrialised nations, giving birth in the USA is...

Vaginal bleeding is an adverse event that occurs in 20% of spontaneous pregnancies. Although many women with bleeding have normal term pregnancies, profuse bleeding, especially accompanied by pain, carries an increased risk of miscarriage. Our knowledge about early bleeding in pregnancy after hormone replacement therapy (HRT)...