Perspective on the low labor analgesia rate and practical solutions for improvement in China

Technical aspects of neuraxial analgesia during labor and maternity care: an updated overview

Labor analgesia is increasingly widespread throughout the world with a rate ranging from 10 to 60%. The benefits regarding clinical and non-clinical maternal-fetal outcomes are currently discussed in international scientific literature. Even stage of labor needs a different and appropriate approach to control the pain; however, different techniques are reported in literature. The following study intends to give a brief overview of the characteristics of the different neuraxial and non-neuraxial techniques currently available and the non-technical skills necessary for effective assistance to pregnant women, providing insights on the topic to understand critical issues at the same time. After bibliographic research since 2018 to 2023, many randomized controlled trials, literature reviews, systematic reviews, and metanalysis were evaluated to create this brief overview. The following pharmacological and non-pharmacological approaches were assessed: spinal techniques, such as epidural analgesia (EA), combined spinal-epidural (CSE), dural puncture epidural (DPE), and continuous spinal anesthesia (CSA); pharmacological administration of nitrous oxide (N2O) and systemic opioids (morphine, fentanyl, and pethidine); as the third one transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation (TENS), acupressure/acupuncture, aromatherapy, and breathing exercises. All the assessed approaches are relatively safe and effective, but the association of technical and non-technical skills is needed to improve the maternal and fetus outcome. More studies are needed to clarify what is the best approach to labor analgesia.

Effects of epidural analgesia at 1 cm cervical dilatation on multiparae: A retrospective cohort study using propensity score-matching

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of epidural analgesia (EA) administered at cervical dilatation of 1 cm on multiparae who underwent vaginal delivery.

METHODS

This propensity score-matched retrospective cohort research was conducted between 2021 and 2022. All the singleton multiparae who had previous successful vaginal deliveries and epidural analgesia during this delivery were screened for eligibility. The primary outcome was the effect of EA on the duration of labor. The main secondary outcomes included the incidence of cesarean delivery and umbilical arterial pH.

RESULTS

This study incorporated 686 multiparae who were divided into two cohorts: EA 1 (cervical dilatation = 1 cm, n = 166) and EA 2 (cervical dilatation >1 cm, n = 520). In the propensity score-matched cohort (including 164 women in each group), there were no statistically significant differences in the incidence of cesarean delivery (4 [2.4%] vs 4 [2.4%], P = 1.000), umbilical arterial pH (7.28 ± 0.06 vs 7.28 ± 0.07, P = 0.550) and other secondary outcomes between the two groups. Based on a comparative assessment of the women who delivered vaginally to the Kaplan-Meier curves and propensity score-matching (including 160 women in each group), there was no statistical significance in the duration of the first, second and third stages of labor (log rank P, P = 0.811; P = 0.413; P = 0.773, respectively).

CONCLUSION

Initiation of epidural analgesia at cervical dilatation of 1 cm in multiparae did not cause adverse effects with regard to the duration of labor, increased cesarean deliveries, and bad neonatal outcomes.

Challenges to the implementation of a multi-level intervention to reduce mistreatment of women during childbirth in Iran: a qualitative study using the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research

BACKGROUND

Mistreatment during childbirth is a growing concern worldwide, especially in developing countries, such as Iran. In response, we launched a comprehensive implementation research (IR) project to reduce mistreatment during childbirth and enhance positive birth experiences in birth facilities. This study identified the challenges of implementing a multi-level intervention to reduce mistreatment of women during childbirth using the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR).

METHODS

An exploratory qualitative study, involving 30 in-depth interviews, was conducted between July 2022 and February 2023. Participants included a purposive sample of key stakeholders at different levels of the health system (macro: Ministry of Health and Medical Education; meso: universities of medical sciences and health services; and micro: hospitals) with sufficient knowledge, direct experience, and/or collaboration in the implementation of the studied interventions. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and coded using directed qualitative content analysis (CFIR constructs) in MAXQDA 18.

RESULTS

The identified challenges were: (1) individual level (childbirth preparation classes: e.g., adaptability, design quality and packaging, cosmopolitanism; presence of birth companions: e.g., patient needs and resources, structural characteristics, culture); (2) healthcare provider level (integrating respectful maternity care into in-service training: e.g., relative priority, access to knowledge and information, reflecting and evaluating); (3) hospital level (evaluating the performance of maternity healthcare providers: e.g., executing, external policies and incentives); and (4) national health system level (implementation of pain relief during childbirth guidelines: e.g., networks and communications, patient needs and resources, executing, reflecting and evaluating).

CONCLUSIONS

This study provides a clear understanding of the challenges of implementing a multi-level intervention to reduce mistreatment of women during childbirth and highlights potential implications for policy makers and practitioners of maternal health programs. We encourage them to take the lessons learned from this study and revise their current programs and policies regarding the quality of maternity care by focusing on the identified challenges.

Neuraxial analgesia during labor and postpartum depression: Systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Severe pain has been linked to depression, which raises the question of whether neuraxial analgesia during childbirth is associated with a reduced risk of postpartum depression. This association has been explored, but previous studies did not control or analyze relevant confounders. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine the association between neuraxial analgesia and postpartum depression.

METHODS

A systematic review was conducted using PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. Studies that tested the effect of neuraxial analgesia during labor on depression or depressive symptoms in the first year postpartum were included. Relevant articles were extracted independently by 2 authors.

RESULTS

In total, 14 studies (86,231 women) were included. The association between neuraxial analgesia and the long-term incidence of postpartum depression after childbirth was the risk ratio = 0.75, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.56-1.00, P = .05; I2 = 79%, P < .00001. There was a significant association (pooled risk ratio = 0.55, 95% CI: 0.34-0.90, P = .02; I2 = 55%, P = .06) between neuraxial analgesia and the incidence of postpartum depression in the first week after delivery. The subgroup analysis showed a trend suggesting that in Asian populations, those who received neuraxial analgesia had lower postpartum depression rates than those who received non-neuraxial analgesia (risk ratio = 0.57, 95% CI: 0.38-0.86; P = .008; I2 = 82%) at ≥4 weeks after delivery.

CONCLUSION

Neuraxial analgesia may be beneficial for the short-term and long-term mental effects of parturient women, especially for short term after delivery. High-quality studies addressing the role of neuraxial analgesia during labor and its impact on postpartum depression remain necessary.

Impact of maternal neuraxial labor analgesia exposure on offspring's neurodevelopment: A longitudinal prospective cohort study with propensity score matching

Background

Neuraxial analgesia is widely used to relieve labor pain; its effects on long-term neurodevelopment of offspring remain unclear. This study was designed to investigate the influence of maternal neuraxial labor analgesia on offspring mental development.

Methods

This was a predefined secondary analysis of a 2-year prospective longitudinal study. Nulliparous women with single-term cephalic pregnancy preparing for vaginal delivery self-selected neuraxial analgesia or not during labor. Mothers and their offspring were followed up 2 years later. children's mental development was assessed with the bayley scales of infant development. A multivariable logistic model was used to identify factors associated with below-average mental development (Mental Development Index <90).

Results

A Total of 508 pairs of mothers and children completed a 2-year follow-up. after propensity score matching, 387 pairs were included in the analysis. In both cohorts, the proportions with below-average mental development were slightly lower in children whose mothers received neuraxial labor analgesia, although not statistically significant [in the full cohort: 9.8 % (36/368) vs. 15.7% (22/140), P = 0.060; In the matched cohort: 8.3% (21/254) vs. 14.3% (19/133), P = 0.065]. A higher 2-year depression score (in the full cohort: Odds Ratio 1.15, 95% CI 1.08–1.22, P < 0.001; In the matched cohort: Odds Ratio 1.09, 95% CI 1.01–1.18, P = 0.037), but not neuraxial analgesia exposure, was associated with an increased risk of below-average mental development.

Conclusions

Maternal depression at 2 years was associated with the risk of below-average mental development, whereas maternal exposure to neuraxial labor analgesia was not.

Clinical Trial Registration

The study was registered with www.chictr.org.cn (ChiCTR-OCH-14004888) and ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02823418).

Satisfaction as a Mediator and Its Interaction With Adherence to Labor Analgesia Protocols: A Cross-Sectional Survey of Chinese Medical Personnel

Background

Although the Chinese promotion of labor analgesia began in 2018 to improve maternal health, high-quality medical care is difficult to provide to pregnant women when medical staff cannot implement standard labor analgesia procedures. This study aims to examine medical personnel's adherence to labor analgesia protocols and to explore the relationships among adherence, satisfaction, and other factors.

Methods

The data were from a national cross-sectional dataset (N = 13,944) of the 2020 Chinese Labor Analgesia Pilot Evaluation Project. Mediating and moderating effects analyses were used to examine the role of satisfaction as a mediator between support measures and adherence.

Results

There were differences in adherence between different types of medical personnel. Support measures and satisfaction had a positive association with adherence to labor analgesia protocols. Satisfaction had a significant mediating and moderating effect on the relationship between support measures and adherence to labor analgesia standards. Moderating effects of professional titles and attitudes were also observed.

Conclusion

Primary health care policies worth considering include comprehensive incentives for medical institutions to improve the use of labor analgesia by medical personnel. It is also worth considering providing more training opportunities for the staff in anesthesiology departments.

Women's experience of psychological birth trauma in China: a qualitative study

BACKGROUND

The psychological birth trauma is a universal phenomenon in childbearing women. The influences could extend in a wide range, which includes the mothers' health, mother-infant relationship, partner relationship. The medical staff could even choose to quit playing their part in the birthing process. The phenomenon has gradually garnered attention around the world. However, it has rarely been discussed under Chinese special conditions. The study was to explore Chinese women's lived experiences of psychological birth trauma during labor and birth.

METHODS

A descriptive phenomenological approach was adopted in this study. Twenty-four women were recruited, who reported having experienced psychological birth trauma. In-depth interviews were conducted within 1 week after birth. Colaizzi's method was used to analyze the data.

RESULTS

Twenty-four women participated in the study. Four themes emerged to describe the women's experience of psychological birth trauma: "How am I supposed to relieve the endless pain?" " Can't I be weak?" "Am I not important?" "What uncertainties are waiting for me?"

CONCLUSIONS

The findings provide deep insight into Chinese women's unique experience of psychological birth trauma. The social and health system could prevent psychological harm during birth and promote maternal health by measures of pain management, thoughtful attention, adequate caring, and prenatal preparation.