Pregnancy loss carries significant healthcare challenges to individuals, certain regions and the world at large. Pregnancy loss is defined as the spontaneous end of a pregnancy before the fetus has reached viability and encompasses all losses from conception until 20–24 weeks Dimitriadis E,1,p1 . Several healthcare conditions are associated with an increased risk of miscarriage, according to the authors. The study identified several health conditions as potential causes of pregnancy loss, including smoking, lack of...

An online survey was used to measure weight bias of midwives. The survey included demographic questions about age, years since certification, body mass index (BMI), race and ethnicity and state of residence. Participants completed measures of implicit and explicit weight bias including the Implicit Association Test, the Anti-Fat Attitudes questionnaire, the Fat Phobia Scale-Short Form and the Preference for Thin People. Data...

This study1 offers a detailed characterisation of the community midwifery-led model of postpartum care. It was conducted in California and Oregon, between 2019 and 2023, at a time when maternity care in the USA was being described as being in crisis.2 Rising maternal and infant mortality rates, particularly among Black and Native American communities, are notable. The...

The debate between sperm donor rights to anonymity and donor-conceived individual rights to full identity has been a topic of contention during the last few decades.1 Historically, donor anonymity has been protected above all else, although early disclosure of donor-conceived status has been recommended to help develop a sense of identity among donor-conceived children.2 Nevertheless, donor-conceived individuals have infrequently been included in discussions about donor anonymity...

Equitable access to healthcare is a critical determinant of health that significantly impacts individual health and wellness. Beyond addressing immediate medical needs, it enables preventive care, closes critical service gaps and enhances patient autonomy, ultimately reducing health disparities faced by disadvantaged groups. Migrants encounter numerous challenges in accessing healthcare in their adopted countries, and these challenges...

Sustainable Development Goal Target 3.1 is to reduce maternal mortality to less than 70 maternal deaths per 100 000 live births by 2030. This remains elusive, with 223 maternal deaths per 100 000 live births reported worldwide in 2020.1 Vitamin D plays pleiotropic physiological roles in maintaining calcium homeostasis, modulating the renin-angiotensin axis and regulating insulin secretion.2 Deficiency in...

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...