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Hill J, Zinsser LA, Wiemer A, Gross MM, Stoll K. Intrapartum time intervals and transfer of nulliparae from community births to maternity care units in Germany. Birth 2024; 51:39-51. [PMID: 37593788 DOI: 10.1111/birt.12752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2023] [Revised: 06/23/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/19/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Over one-third of nulliparae planning births either at home or in freestanding midwife-led birthing centers (community births) in high-income countries are transferred during labor. Perinatal data are reported each year in Germany for women planning community birth. So far, data sets have not been linked to describe time-related factors associated with nulliparous transfer to hospital. OBJECTIVES To describe the prevalence of referral for nulliparae and assess maternal and labor characteristics associated with intrapartum transfer. METHODS Perinatal data from 2010 to 2015 were linked (n = 26,115). Women were reviewed with respect to international eligibility criteria for community birth; 1997 women were excluded (7.6%). Descriptive statistics were reported; unadjusted and adjusted odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals (CI) tested the predictive effect of demographic and labor factors on rates of intrapartum transfer. RESULTS One in three nulliparous women (30.6%) were transferred to hospital. Compared with community births, transferred women were significantly more likely to experience longer time intervals during labor: from rupture of membranes (ROM) until birth lasting 5 to 18 h (OR 6.05, CI 5.53-6.61) and 19 to 24 h (OR 10.83, CI 9.45-12.41) compared to one to 4 h; and from onset of labor until birth 11 to 24 h (OR 6.72, CI 6.24-7.23) and 25 to 29 h (OR 26.62, CI 22.77-31.11) compared to one to 10 h. When entering all factors into the model, we found the strongest predictors of transfer to be fetal distress, longer time intervals between ROM until birth and onset of labor until birth. CONCLUSIONS Nulliparous transfer rates were similar to rates in other high-income countries; 94% of referrals were non-urgent. Time was found to be an independent risk factor for the transfer of nulliparae planning community birth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janice Hill
- Midwifery Research and Education Unit, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- Department of Midwifery Research, Institute of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tübingen, Tubingen, Germany
| | - Laura A Zinsser
- Midwifery Research and Education Unit, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Anke Wiemer
- Society for Quality in Out of Hospital Birth (QUAG), Hinter den Höfen 2, Storkow, Germany
| | - Mechthild M Gross
- Midwifery Research and Education Unit, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Kathrin Stoll
- Midwifery Research and Education Unit, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- Department of Family Practice, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, 5950 University Boulevard, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
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Whittington JR, Ghahremani T, Whitham M, Phillips AM, Spracher BN, Magann EF. Alternate Birth Strategies. Int J Womens Health 2023; 15:1151-1159. [PMID: 37496517 PMCID: PMC10368118 DOI: 10.2147/ijwh.s405533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2023] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 07/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Community birth is defined as birth that occurs outside the hospital setting. Birthing in a birth center can be safe for certain patient populations. Home birth can also be safe in well-selected patient with a well-established transfer infrastructure should an emergency occur. Unfortunately, many areas of the United States and the world do not have this infrastructure, limiting access to safe community birth. Immersion during labor has been associated with decreased need for epidural and pain medication. Delivery should not occur in water due to concerns for infection and cord avulsion. Umbilical cord non-severance (also called lotus birth) and placentophagy should be counseled against due to well-documented risks without clear benefit. Birth plans and options should be regularly discussed during pregnancy visits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie R Whittington
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Command Portsmouth, Portsmouth, VA, USA
| | - Taylor Ghahremani
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA
| | - Megan Whitham
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, Roanoke, VA, USA
| | - Amy M Phillips
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA
| | - Bethany N Spracher
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Edward via College of Osteopathic Medicine, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - Everett F Magann
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA
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Knox‐Kazimierczuk F, Trinh S, Odems D, Shockley‐Smith M. Challenges and lessons learned birthing during the COVID-19 pandemic: A scoping review. Health Sci Rep 2023; 6:e1387. [PMID: 37484060 PMCID: PMC10359605 DOI: 10.1002/hsr2.1387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2023] [Revised: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 07/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Background and Aims The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the healthcare system facilitated a change in policies to redress the consequences of increased demand and fear of disease transmission. Restrictive measures throughout the healthcare system limiting access to accompanying partners of birthing people in addition to fears of contracting COVID-19, an increasing number of birthing people chose to have an out-of-hospital birth. Out-of-hospital births are not prevalent in the United States. However, in recent years the percentage of out-of-hospital births has been steadily increasing. COVID-19 was a novel virus imposing a unique birthing situation for millions of women, complicated by lack of integration and varied policies in the U.S. Methods To better understand the challenges of birthing people during the pandemic a scoping review was conducted to explore the literature during the first wave of the pandemic related to out-of-hospital births. The approach for this review made use of the methodology manual published by the Joanna Briggs Institute for scoping reviews. All manner of publications (i.e. peer-reviewed published articles, grey articles, conference proceedings, webinars, editorials, and textbook chapters) were included in the review. Results Articles retrieved from the database search yielded sixty-three articles, after duplicate removal forty-six records were available for screening. Articles were further excluded using the PRISMA process, yielding thirty-one remaining records. From the thirty-one records twelve themes emerged, which were collapsed into four meta-themes. Conclusion These meta-themes focused on (a) advocacy, (b) homebirth infrastructure, (c) support networks, and (d) uncertainty during the pandemic. COVID-19 has accelerated this movement to birthing at home and thought must be given to how the healthcare system is going to support and integrate this mode of birthing.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Shannon Trinh
- Department of Rehabilitation, Exercise, & Nutrition ScienceUniversity of CincinnatiCincinnatiOhioUSA
| | - Dorian Odems
- Department of Population HealthCollege of Health & Human Services, The University of ToledoToledoOhioUSA
| | - Meredith Shockley‐Smith
- Cradle Cincinnati, Queens Village InitiativeCincinnati Children's Hospital Medical CenterCincinnatiOhioUSA
- Department of PediatricsCollege of Medicine, University of CincinnatiCincinnatiOhioUSA
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Ellis J, Ward K, Garrett K, Taylor E, Clark E, Baksh L, Simonsen S. Changes to Birth Plans Due to COVID-19: A Survey of Utah Midwives and Doulas. J Midwifery Womens Health 2023; 68:353-363. [PMID: 37073545 DOI: 10.1111/jmwh.13491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2022] [Revised: 02/12/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2023] [Indexed: 04/20/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION This study seeks to understand the experiences of Utah midwives and doulas caring for patients during the recent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Specifically, the goal of the study was to describe the perceived impact on the community birth system and explore differences in the access and use of personal protective equipment (PPE) between in- and out-of-hospital births. METHODS This study used a cross-sectional, descriptive study design. A 26-item survey developed by the research team was sent via email to Utah birth workers, including nurse-midwives, community midwives, and doulas. Quantitative data were collected during December 2020 and January 2021. Descriptive statistics were used in the analysis. RESULTS Of the 409 birth workers who were sent a link to the survey, 120 (30%) responded: 38 (32%) CNMs, 30 (25%) direct-entry or community midwives, and 52 (43%) doulas. The majority (79%) reported changes to clinical practice during the COVID-19 pandemic. Community midwives (71%) who responded indicated practice volume increased. Survey participants reported an increased patient preference for home births (53%) and birth center births (43%). Among those with one or more patient transfers to the hospital, 61% experienced a change in the process. One participant reported that it took 43 minutes longer to transfer to the hospital. Community midwives and doulas reported poor access to a regular source of PPE. DISCUSSION Survey participants reported changes to planned birth locations during the COVID-19 pandemic. When necessary, transfers to hospitals were reported to be slower. Community midwives and doulas reported having insufficient access to PPE and reported limited knowledge about COVID-19 testing resources and resources for educating patients on COVID-19. This study adds an important perspective to the existing literature on COVID-19 by indicating that policymakers should include community birth partners in community planning for natural disasters and future pandemics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Ellis
- College of Nursing, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - Katie Ward
- College of Nursing, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - Kellie Garrett
- College of Nursing, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - Eliza Taylor
- College of Nursing, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
- Division of Maternal and Fetal Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - Erin Clark
- Division of Maternal and Fetal Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - Laurie Baksh
- Utah Department of Public Health, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - Sara Simonsen
- College of Nursing, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
- Family and Preventive Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
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Rzońca E, Bień A, Wejnarski A, Gotlib J, Bączek G, Gałązkowski R, Rzońca P. Suspected Labour as a Reason for Emergency Medical Services Team Interventions in Poland—A Retrospective Analysis. Healthcare (Basel) 2021; 10:healthcare10010049. [PMID: 35052213 PMCID: PMC8775165 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare10010049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2021] [Revised: 12/24/2021] [Accepted: 12/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to present the characteristics of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) team responses to calls regarding suspected labour in out-of-hospital settings in Poland. We performed a retrospective analysis of EMS team interventions in cases of suspected onset of labour outside a hospital setting. The analysis included 12,816 EMS team responses to calls regarding women in suspected labour in the period between January 2018 and December 2019. The mean age of the patients studied was 28.24 years (SD = 6.47). The majority of patients were at term (76.36%) and in their second pregnancy (29.96%). EMS teams were most often dispatched in the summer (25.95%) and in urban areas (63.26%). Most EMS teams were basic (68.99%) and interventions most often took place between 19:00 and 06:59 (63.14%). Significant differences were observed between preterm and term pregnant women attended by EMS teams in terms of variables such as the age of the patient, number of previous labours, history of miscarriage, presence of vaginal bleeding, time of year, location of call, type and composition of EMS team dispatched, urgency code and time of call, duration of intervention, selected emergency medical procedures performed and test results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ewa Rzońca
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Didactics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Medical University of Warsaw, 00-575 Warsaw, Poland;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +48-22-116-92-02
| | - Agnieszka Bień
- Chair and Department of Development in Midwifery, Faculty of Health Sciences, Medical University of Lublin, 20-081 Lublin, Poland;
| | - Arkadiusz Wejnarski
- Faculty of Medical Sciences and Health Sciences, Siedlce University of Natural Sciences and Humanities, 08-110 Siedlce, Poland;
| | - Joanna Gotlib
- Department of Education and Research in Health Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-091 Warsaw, Poland;
| | - Grażyna Bączek
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Didactics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Medical University of Warsaw, 00-575 Warsaw, Poland;
| | - Robert Gałązkowski
- Department of Emergency Medical Services, Faculty of Health Sciences, Medical University of Warsaw, 00-575 Warsaw, Poland;
| | - Patryk Rzońca
- Department of Human Anatomy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-004 Warsaw, Poland;
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Bączek G, Tataj-Puzyna U, Sys D, Baranowska B. Freestanding Midwife-Led Units: A Narrative Review. Iran J Nurs Midwifery Res 2020; 25:181-188. [PMID: 32724762 PMCID: PMC7299417 DOI: 10.4103/ijnmr.ijnmr_209_19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2019] [Revised: 01/04/2020] [Accepted: 03/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
Background Strengthening of midwives' position and support for freestanding birth centers, frequently referred to as Freestanding Midwife-led Units (FMUs), raise hopes for a return to humanized labor. Our study aimed to review published evidence regarding FMUs to systematize the knowledge of their functioning and to identify potential gaps in this matter. Materials and Methods A structured integrative review of theoretical papers and empirical studies was conducted. The literature search included MEDLINE, Cochrane, Scopus, and Embase databases. The analysis included papers published in 1977-2017. Relevant documents were identified using various combinations of search terms and standard Boolean operators. The search included titles, abstracts, and keywords. Additional records were found through a manual search of reference lists from extracted papers. Results Overall, 56 out of 107 originally found articles were identified as eligible for the review. Based on the critical analysis of published data, six groups of research problems were identified and discussed, namely, 1) specifics of FMUs, 2) costs of perinatal care at FMUs, 3) FMUs as a place for midwife education, 4) FMUs from midwives' perspective, 5) perinatal, maternal, and neonatal outcomes, and 6) FMUs from the perspective of a pregnant woman. Conclusions FMUs offers a home-like environment and complex midwifery support for women with uncomplicated pregnancies. Although emergency equipment is available as needed, FMU birth is considered a natural spontaneous process. Midwives' supervision over low-risk labors may provide many benefits, primarily related to lower medicalization and fewer medical interventions than in a hospital setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grażyna Bączek
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Didactics, Medical University of Warsaw, Warszawa, Poland
| | - Urszula Tataj-Puzyna
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Didactics, Medical University of Warsaw, Warszawa, Poland
| | - Dorota Sys
- Department of Reproductive Health, Centre of Postgraduate Medical Education, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Barbara Baranowska
- Department of Midwifery, Centre of Postgraduate Medical Education, Warsaw, Poland
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Javaudin F, Hamel V, Legrand A, Goddet S, Templier F, Potiron C, Pes P, Bagou G, Montassier E. Unplanned out-of-hospital birth and risk factors of adverse perinatal outcome: findings from a prospective cohort. Scand J Trauma Resusc Emerg Med 2019; 27:26. [PMID: 30825876 PMCID: PMC6397745 DOI: 10.1186/s13049-019-0600-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2018] [Accepted: 02/10/2019] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background In France, while most babies are delivered at hospital, emergency medical services (EMS) weekly manage calls for unplanned out-of-hospital births. The objective of our study was to describe neonatal morbidity and mortality, defined as death or neonatal intensive care unit hospitalization at Day 7, in a prospective multicentric cohort of unplanned out-of-hospital births. Methods We prospectively analyzed out-of-hospital births from 25 prehospital EMS units in France. The primary outcome was neonatal morbidity and mortality, and the secondary outcome was risk factors associated with neonatal morbidity and mortality. A univariate logistic regression was first made, followed by a multivariate logistic regression with backward selection. Results From October 2011 to August 2018, a total of 1670 unplanned out-of-hospital births were included. Of these, 1652 (99.2%) were singleton and 1537 (93.5%) had prenatal care. Maternal mean age of the study population was 30 ± 5.5 (range 15 to 48). The majority of women were multiparous, but 13% were nulliparous. Overall, 45.3% of these unplanned out-of-hospital births were medically-driven, either by phone during medical regulation (12.5%) or on scene by the prehospital emergency medical service units (32.9%). The prevalence of neonatal morbidity and mortality was 6.3% (n = 106) after an unplanned out-of-hospital birth (death before Day 7: n = 20; 1.2%). The multivariate logistic regression found that multiparity (adjusted Odds Ratio = 70.7 [4.7–1062]), prematurity (adjusted Odds Ratio = 6.7 [2.1–21.4]), maternal pathology (adjusted Odds Ratio = 2.8 [1.0–7.5]) and hypothermia (adjusted Odds Ratio = 2.8 [1.1–7.6]) were independent predictive factors of neonatal morbidity and mortality. Conclusions Our study assessed for the first time risk factors for adverse perinatal outcome in a large and multicenter cohort of unplanned out-of-hospital births. We have to improve temperature management in the out-of-hospital field and future trials are required to investigate strategies to optimize newborns management in the prehospital area. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13049-019-0600-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- François Javaudin
- Department of Emergency Medicine, CHU Nantes, Nantes University Hospital, 44000, Nantes, France.,MiHAR lab, Université de Nantes, 44000, Nantes, France
| | - Valérie Hamel
- Emergency Department, Toulouse Purpan University Hospital, Toulouse, France
| | | | - Sybille Goddet
- Samu-21, CHU de Dijon, SAU-Smur, CH du Creusot, Dijon, France
| | - François Templier
- Emergency Department, SAMU 49, University Hospital of Angers, Angers, France
| | - Christine Potiron
- Department of Emergency Medicine, CHU Nantes, Nantes University Hospital, 44000, Nantes, France
| | - Philippe Pes
- Department of Emergency Medicine, CHU Nantes, Nantes University Hospital, 44000, Nantes, France
| | - Gilles Bagou
- Samu, groupement hospitalier Édouard-Herriot, Lyon, France
| | - Emmanuel Montassier
- Department of Emergency Medicine, CHU Nantes, Nantes University Hospital, 44000, Nantes, France. .,MiHAR lab, Université de Nantes, 44000, Nantes, France.
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Abstract
Umbilical cord prolapse (UCP) is an uncommon obstetric emergency that can have significant neonatal morbidity and/or mortality. It is diagnosed by seeing/palpating the prolapsed cord outside or within the vagina in addition to abnormal fetal heart rate patterns. Women at higher risk of UCP include multiparas with malpresentation. Other risk factors include polyhydramnios and multiple pregnancies. Iatrogenic UCP (up to 50% of cases) can occur in procedures such as amniotomy, fetal blood sampling, and insertion of a cervical ripening balloon. The perinatal outcome largely depends on the location where the prolapse occurred and the gestational age/birthweight of the fetus. When UCP is diagnosed, delivery should be expedited. Usually, cesarean section is the delivery mode of choice, but vaginal/instrumental delivery could be tried if deemed quicker, particularly in the second stage of labor. Diagnosis-to-delivery interval should ideally be less than 30 minutes; however, if it is expected to be lengthy, measures to relieve cord compression should be attempted. Manual elevation of the presenting part and Vago's method (bladder filling) are the most commonly used maneuvers. Care should be given not to cause cord spasm with excessive manipulation. Simulation training has been shown to improve/maintain all aspects of management and documentation. Prompt diagnosis and interventions and the positive impact of neonatal management have significantly improved the neonatal outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Waleed Ali Sayed Ahmed
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt,
| | - Mostafa Ahmed Hamdy
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt,
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