Women and birth : journal of the Australian College of Midwives最新文献

Problem: Pregnancies can be anxiety-provoking, and birth which includes complications or deviations from expectations can be perceived as traumatic.

Background: The perception of birth as traumatic is inherently subjective and the salience of aspects contributing to the perception of birth trauma amongst first-time mothers may differ. Further, risk factors have not included the voices of women from minority ethnic backgrounds, who are known to experience higher-levels of discrimination whilst in receipt of healthcare.

Aim: To contribute to the understanding of experiences of birth which are perceived as traumatic by women.

Methods: Semi-structured interviews (N = 16) were undertaken in May-June 2024 with mothers who had perceived their first birth to be traumatic; and analysed using Grounded Theory.

Findings: 'The Birth Trauma Earthquake' theory was comprised of six themes: 'Morbid Fixations'; 'Grieving the Birth They Never Had'; 'Changing Relationships'; 'The 'Hysterical' Labouring Woman'; 'Transactional Care'; and 'Diminishing Their Own Experiences'.

Discussion: Perceiving birth as traumatic was seen as a catalyst for rippling after-effects, with widespread impact both personally, and in their experience of healthcare professionals. Women were observed to have engaged in what may be perceived as maladaptive coping strategies to contain and control the associated shockwaves.

Conclusion: Maternity care should be comprehensive and compassionate, fostering resilience in the aftermath of the earthquake, but more importantly prepare and reduce the propensity for it. These findings provide an insight into the lived experience of those who have perceived birth to be traumatic, with implications for informing future methods to prevent and mitigate associated impacts.

Problem: Education is fundamental to reversing environmental degradation and advancing planetary health. Yet, many health professionals lack adequate knowledge of sustainability and planetary health principles.

Background: Women and children are among the most vulnerable to climate change impacts. Midwives can play a crucial role in promoting planetary health and sustainability by educating mothers and communities, particularly on maternal and infant nutrition.

Aim: Through the "Best Practices in Breastfeeding and Sustainable, Healthy Nutrition" course, the masked for anonymity project trains healthcare professionals to foster behavioural change regarding sustainability among pregnant and breastfeeding women.

Methods: As part of the masked for anonymity multicentre study conducted across seven sexual and reproductive health units at primary care centres in Barcelona, a training programme was delivered to 156 healthcare professionals, predominantly midwives. Knowledge acquisition was evaluated through a final exam and a satisfaction survey.

Findings: 67 % of participants passed the exam. The course's practical applicability was rated as its most valuable feature by 71.6 % of attendees, while 55.8 % gave it the highest satisfaction score.

Discussion: This course was the first of its kind implemented in Spain. Overall feedback was positive. Scaling the training across the region is proposed.

Conclusion: Policies should promote exclusive breastfeeding as the most sustainable form of infant nutrition while ensuring sustainable maternal nutrition. Training midwives in planetary health and breastfeeding is essential to effectively transfer knowledge to mothers and families, driving transformative change towards more sustainable maternal and infant diets.

Clinical trials: masked for anonymity.