Journal of Perinatal Education最新文献

This qualitative study explores how Black, Indigenous, and People of Color persons are making sense of their self-efficacy toward doula education and workforce participation. A total of 16 community-based doula trainees participated across four focus group interviews. Data analysis was an iterative process of coding and thematic generation. Participants identified efficacy sources like encouragement, purpose, service, and social justice orientation as motivators and financial insecurity and work-life balance as barriers. The three themes of connection making, doula identity development, and defining worthwhile sacrifice illuminated how participants used their perceptions of encouragement received and potential to give encouragement to negotiate the strength and direction of efficacy sources on their self-efficacy. Implications for policy and practice that leverage the power of encouragement are indicated.

Maternal mental health and substance use contribute significantly to the U.S. growing maternal health crisis (Trost et al., 2022; Policy Center for Maternal Health, 2023). This crisis is even greater in rural areas, where women residing in this region of the United States have a greater likelihood of experiencing maternal mental health and substance use-related challenges (Nidey et al., 2019). Doulas, perinatal support professionals, serve as an avenue to reduce the maternal mental health and substance use challenges that rural women experience. Using a qualitative research approach, the current study examined the experiences of nine actively practicing doulas in Alabama. Semistructured interviews were conducted, transcribed, and coded using established qualitative coding protocols through both deductive and inductive approaches. Through the analyses, three major themes were identified and expanded on the following: (a) doulas are currently helping their clients with mental health and/or substance use challenges, (b) the conceptual framework established by Kozhimannil et al. (2016) can be expanded to explain how doulas help clients with mental health or substance use challenges, and (c) rural residency adds substantial barriers to maternal physical health, mental health, and substance use care. This study establishes doulas as a strong resource for rural birthing persons in Alabama and shows that doulas can help combat the maternal mental health and substance use crisis, specifically in the rural United States.

This scoping review of the literature sought to explore and summarize the existing research on breastfeeding and upper lip ties. Seventeen articles met peer-reviewed eligibility criteria and were included in the review. Findings were categorized into four themes: Subjective Upper Lip Tie Diagnostic Criteria Do Not Always Relate to Breastfeeding Outcomes, Lack of Literature on Upper Lip Tie Alone in Relation to Breastfeeding, Upper Lip Tie Not Correlated to Breastfeeding Rates, and Subjective Breastfeeding Improvement Post-Frenotomy Possible. The findings revealed inconsistencies among provider upper lip tie diagnosis. Most research included infants having both lip and tongue ties. Furthermore, studies lacked an assessment of objective breastfeeding outcomes and long-term breastfeeding success. Additional research is needed to determine the best breastfeeding practices for infants with lip ties.

This review synthesizes evidence on the effectiveness of interventions to improve knowledge and glycemic control among antenatal women diagnosed with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). A comprehensive literature search was conducted using databases such as PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar. The findings from 20 eligible studies focus on the prevalence and risk factors of GDM, the effectiveness of nursing interventions for antenatal women with GDM, and innovative approaches and emerging technologies in managing GDM. This review emphasizes the rising global prevalence of GDM, with regional variations such as higher rates in the Middle East and North Africa region, where risk factors like obesity and advanced maternal age are prevalent. The evidence highlights the positive effects of targeted nursing interventions and educational programs, which significantly improve maternal and fetal outcomes by enhancing knowledge, self-efficacy, and glycemic control. Effective management strategies, including early screening, personalized care, and continuous support, are essential to reducing complications and promoting long-term health. The review underscores the need for further research and the development of tailored public health policies to address the growing global burden of GDM.

A mismatch exists between perinatal education provided and that which contributes to positive outcomes for parents. The aim of this study was to understand the "felt needs" of health-care providers in relation to perinatal education and apply these findings to guide the implementation of a new perinatal education program. Thematic analysis was undertaken following focus groups and interviews with health-care providers from an Australian maternity service. Data were analyzed using the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research. Identified barriers and enablers were mapped to inform implementation strategies. Forty-one staff participated. Findings were structured across the "domains" patients, intervention, inner setting, individuals involved, and process. Findings will contribute to the implementation of a perinatal education program resulting from collaborative codesign between health-care providers and parents.

High childbirth intervention rates impose risk to women and infants. It is imperative that ways to mitigate this are found. Calmbirth is an antenatal program that incorporates a variety of strategies that could be helpful. The aim of this qualitative evaluation was to explore the acceptability and experiences of attending Calmbirth antenatal classes. Eighteen individual and/or couple postnatal interviews were conducted. Analysis using a psycho-emotional conceptual framework was applied to data. The study found that Calmbirth courses empowered participants, increased their health literacy, and provided them with more personal psychosocial coping strategies. While some participants found the classes not helpful, others experienced a positive reframing of childbirth. Although Calmbirth is acceptable and experienced positively by most women and partners, further work is required to address broader sociocultural influences in places of birth.

Despite the widely documented benefits of doulas, institutional and clinician opposition persists. This opposition presents a barrier to doula access and integration, limiting birthing women/people's choices and adversely impacting their experiences and health outcomes. This study explored clinicians' experiences working with doulas to identify factors that can impact interprofessional interactions. We analyzed ethnographic field notes from 7 years of participant observation in one community doula program in the Pacific Northwest (United States) and 11 semistructured interviews with clinicians (including obstetricians, midwives, and nurses). From this data, we produced practical recommendations to facilitate collaboration between medical institutions, clinicians, and doulas. Our recommendations offer an opportunity to improve working environments, support access and integration, strengthen health-care systems, and enhance patient satisfaction and outcomes.

Long before pregnancy occurs, many women contemplate what birth will be like. When pregnancy is achieved, women may have expectations about how they would like their birth to go, and many will make a formal birth plan. Plans may be basic, such as who would be present during labor and birth or more detailed with specifics regarding each stage of labor. Many websites exist to help guide women with this process. However, there is often a disconnect between women's expectations for birth versus standard options available at their chosen hospital or birth center and specific provider practices. One of the factors that may impact implementation of the birth plan is the availability of staff (nursing) support to help the patient and family implement their plan. Nurse burnout and inadequate staffing may have a negative impact on the ability of a family to implement their chosen birth plan. Insufficient nurse staffing can lead to burnout and inadequate mental reserves for nurses to help patients and families. The purpose of this article is to explore the research related to nurse burnout in perinatal units and to discuss how nurse burnout and mental exhaustion may impact the birthing experience. Strategies are presented to help families overcome these challenges.

Nurses with baccalaureate degrees are becoming the mainstay of China's nursing workforce and are an important force in supporting breastfeeding. This descriptive cross-sectional study aims to explore the breastfeeding knowledge and attitudes of undergraduate nursing students in China, as well as their perceptions of breastfeeding education. An online questionnaire survey was conducted among 428 undergraduate nursing students from 22 medical universities/colleges in China. The questionnaire was designed by the research team based on the results of literature reviews and the Guideline for Infant and Young Child Feeding and Nutrition. Most student participants (96.96%) expressed supportive attitudes toward breastfeeding. The average correct response rate on the breastfeeding knowledge questionnaire was low (54.80%). Of the students, 92.99% requested more breastfeeding education in the nursing school curriculum. This indicates that breastfeeding education included in the undergraduate nursing curriculum should be strengthened to adequately prepare students to support breastfeeding.

Social factors are highly influential on perinatal outcomes, particularly when complications occur. One particularly impactful social factor in the United States is racism. This article uses a case study of the 2024 book The Unexpected: Navigating Pregnancy During and After Complications to demonstrate how the exclusion of information on racism changes recommendations in prescriptive literature, making them less accurate or complete for readers of color. There is a need for a more direct and evidence-based approach in public communication about perinatal health, one that addresses social determinants including racism. The article concludes with implications for practice for childbirth professionals who are considering whether to recommend The Unexpected to patients or clients.