Journal of midwifery & women's health最新文献

An IUD is a small T-shaped device that is placed through your vagina and cervix into the top of your uterus (womb) by your health care provider. There are 2 kinds of IUDs, nonhormonal or hormonal:

The copper IUD (Paragard) is effective for up to 10 years. It has no hormones.

IUDs keep sperm from reaching an egg. If sperm can't get to an egg, pregnancy won't happen. The copper IUD changes the lining of the uterus and kills sperm that enter the uterus so they can't reach an egg. The hormonal IUDs prevent ovulation (release of an egg) and make the mucus in your cervix (opening of the uterus) thicker so that sperm can't reach an egg.

IUDs work very well in protecting you from getting pregnant. Fewer than 1 out of 100 of those using an IUD will get pregnant each year. This is about the same as using the birth control implant, or having a tubal ligation or vasectomy.

Your health care provider will insert the IUD. It may be inserted right after giving birth, at your postpartum visit, or another time, often during your period. Your provider will help you pick the best time. The IUD is put into your uterus through your vagina and cervix. First, your provider will put a speculum into your vagina to hold it open. Then, your provider may use an instrument to hold your cervix in place while they insert the IUD. A string attached to the IUD comes out of your uterus into the top of your vagina. It is used to pull out the IUD when you want it removed. Your provider will cut the strings on the IUD. You will be able to feel the strings with your fingers when you check for them.

Inserting an IUD usually only takes a few minutes. You may feel cramping during and after the insertion. You may take ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or naproxen (Aleve) an hour before your appointment to have less pain when the IUD is inserted. You can also take these medications if you have cramping right after the IUD is inserted. It helps to be well hydrated and nourished before and after the IUD insertion.

Your health care provider will let you know the date your IUD should be removed. You can decide to have your IUD removed at any time before this date if you experience undesirable side effects or decide you want to become pregnant. To remove the IUD, your provider will put a speculum into your vagina and then gently pull on the IUD strings. You may feel mild cramping as the IUD is removed.

You will be protected against pregnancy as soon as a copper IUD is in place. If a hormonal IUD is inserted during the first 7 days of your period, you will be protected against pregnancy as soon as it is in place. If a hormonal IUD is inserted more than 7 days after your period starts, you will need to use another type of birth control, such as condoms, for the first 7 days after the IUD is in place.

The most common side effect of IUDs is changes in your normal menstrual period. With the copper IUD, periods may be heavier with more cramps. With the hormo

In October 2023, and formally presented at their 18th meeting in December 2023, the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage announced that Midwifery: Knowledge, Skills and Practices was selected to be included in the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Selection of the practice and profession of midwifery is a profound honor and an important recognition of our profession.

UNESCO grew out of the First and Second World Wars, which occurred between 1917 and 1948.¹ European countries gathered and began looking for a way to promote peace globally following wars related to racism and anti-Semitism. They were later joined by the United States and many other countries.¹ UNESCO is an organization of the United Nations that aims to promote peace and understanding through education and culture by sharing knowledge and ideas around the world. Much more information about the history and ongoing activities of UNESCO can be found on their website. Readers may be more familiar with other UNESCO designations such as World Heritage sites, biosphere reserves, and Global Geoparks.

Cultural heritage is viewed as much more than monuments and items that can be placed on a museum shelf. It includes cultural traditions that have a history and context and are passed from previous to current and future generations. Cultural heritage may include art, oral traditions, social traditions, knowledge about creating traditional crafts, among other categories. These traditions are based in community.³ Midwifery is deeply based in community-based cultural traditions that differ country to country yet share a common language. Likewise, midwifery has been expressed in written and oral formats, visual arts, media, formal media programming (think Call the Midwife), music, poetry, and so much more. Midwifery is also based on a deep tradition of knowledge and skills, as well as the best scientific evidence.

The nomination of midwifery as intangible cultural heritage was developed by 8 countries: Colombia, Cyprus, Germany, Kyrgyzstan, Luxembourg, Nigeria, Slovenia, and Togo. The nomination process included providing descriptive information about midwifery, evidence of consent from the concerned communities, a description of the inventory of the specific intangible cultural heritage, in this case, the midwifery profession, as well as photographs and a video. Interested readers may review item 8.b.26, titled Midwifery: Knowledge, Skills and Practices, from the December 2023 meeting agenda.⁴

The beautiful film produced by the midwives in the 8 countries making the nomination, The Midwife, is available to midwives and others around the world on Vimeo (https://vimeo.com/432611607). It is a beautiful and time