solmaz ghanbari-homaie

Currently, birth experience is considered an indicator for evaluating the quality of care provided during labor and birth. This study examined the effect of the Iranian positive birth experience guideline on the birth experience of primiparous women.

This randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted at Taleghani Hospital, Tabriz, Iran (2019). Thirty pregnant women admitted to labor after checking the eligibility criteria were randomly assigned to intervention (developed guidelines) and control (routine hospital care) groups. Women’s birth experience was evaluated 24 hours postpartum using the Childbirth Experience Questionnaire (CEQ 2.0). An independent sample t-test was employed to compare the average scores between the groups.

The mean (standard deviation) of the total score of birth experience in the intervention and control groups was 3.0 (0.4) and 2.1 (0.5), respectively. The average score of the childbirth experience in the intervention group was significantly greater than that of the control group [Mean difference: 0.9; 95% confidence interval: 0.5–1.2; P < 0.001].

The Iranian guideline for improving birth experiences was able to improve primiparous women’s birth experiences more effectively than routine care. Practical Implications. The findings of this study can be considered in the policies and management of healthcare centers.

Adolescent pregnancy is one of the important challenges of reproductive health. Factors such as family conflict, poor social support, and low self-esteem among adolescent mothers can expose them to postpartum depression. Therefore, the present study was performed to determine the prevalence of postpartum depression and its relationship with birth experience among adolescent mothers.

The present study was a cross-sectional study that was conducted on 202 adolescent mothers referred to urban and suburban health centers in Tabriz, Iran. Sampling method was census and done in the period of 1 to 3 months after birth in 2022. After checking the eligibility criteria, childbirth experience questionnaire version 2.0 (CEQ 2.0) and Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) were completed through interview. Data analysis was done using SPSS software and logistic regression test.

The mean (SD) of postpartum depression score was 7.5 (5.6) ranging from 0 to 30. The prevalence of postpartum depression and negative birth experience were approximately 23.8% and 11.4%, respectively. After adjusting the effect of possible confounding variables, there was no statistically significant relationship between the negative experience of birth and postpartum depression (p= 0.310). In mothers with unwanted pregnancy compared to mothers with wanted pregnancy, the probability of postpartum depression was 2.22 times higher [Odds Ratio (95% Confidence Interval) = 2.22 (4.71 to 1.05); p= 0.037].

Although in this study, approximately one-fifth of adolescent mothers were exposed to postpartum depression; there was no significant relationship between the negative birth experience and postpartum depression. The results of this study can be used to identify high-risk mothers, especially mothers with unwanted pregnancies, referring them for counseling, and prevent postpartum depression.

Due to their unique circumstances, pregnant women face a heightened risk of experiencing pregnancy complications during and after catastrophic events. This study aims to investigate the consequences of both natural and man-made disasters on pregnancy outcomes.

This study is a systematic review. Searches were performed until May 31, 2024, in the electronic databases including Medline, Web of Science, Embase, and Scopus. Outcomes such as preterm birth, low birth weight (LBW), small for gestational age (SGA), stillbirth, spontaneous abortion, and pregnancy-related blood pressure complications were studied.

The search conducted in the databases yielded 3307 non-duplicate records. After reading the abstracts, 3204 articles were excluded based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. Full texts of 103 article were obtained. However, upon reading the full texts of articles, 13 of them did not meet the inclusion criteria for the study. Consequently, 90 articles were ultimately included.

Natural and man-made disasters exert significant influence on adverse pregnancy outcomes. While it is impossible to prevent the incidence of natural disasters and often man-made disasters occur abruptly, the negative consequences of disasters, particularly natural ones, can be mitigated by enhancing prenatal care and avoiding detrimental elements such as smoking and alcohol. 

A high-quality Ph.D. course requires frequent assessment and identification of deficiencies and limitations. The midwifery Ph.D. course started in 2016 in Iran and since no evaluation has been performed on this program, the present study aimed to evaluate the Iranian midwifery Ph.D. course based on the CIPP model.

This descriptive-evaluative research was conducted based on the CIPP model in 2021 in the schools of nursing and midwifery of Tabriz and Ahvaz Universities of medical sciences, Iran. The statistical population included the faculty members of the midwifery Ph.D. program (9 individuals) and midwifery Ph.D. graduates and students (21 individuals). The data collection tools comprised CIPP-based questionnaires exclusively for faculty members and students. Descriptive statistics were employed for data analysis.

Most students (81%) and faculty members (77.8%) reported an appropriate general evaluation of the midwifery Ph.D. curriculum. Most faculty members (77.8%) and students (90.8%) reported the indicators of the midwifery Ph.D. curriculum as appropriate in terms of context. More than three forth of faculty members (77.8%) and more than half of the students (57.1%) reported this curriculum as appropriate regarding input. This program was also reported to be appropriate according to 52.4% of students and 66.7% of faculty members in terms of process. Furthermore, a total of 66.7% of participants in both groups reported an appropriate status in terms of output.

Midwifery Ph.D. curriculum was reported as an appropriate program. Also, students of this discipline requested greater stress on clinical upskilling for midwifery Ph.D.

Anxiety during pregnancy may affect maternal-fetal attachment (MFA) and the prevalence of pregnancy symptoms.

The present study aimed to assess the correlation of anxiety with pregnancy symptoms and MFA.

This cross-sectional study was conducted on 220 pregnant women in the health centers of Tabriz, Iran, in 2020. Samples were selected by the cluster sampling method. Data were collected using the socio-demographic questionnaire, Pregnancy-related Anxiety Questionnaire-revised 2 (PRAQ-R2), MFA Scale (MFAS), and Pregnancy Symptoms Inventory (PSI), all of which were completed as self-administered in the second half of pregnancy. The Pearson’s correlation coefficient and adjusted general linear model were used for data analysis.

The results of Pearson’s correlation showed no correlation between anxiety during pregnancy and MFA among nulliparous (r = -0.003, P = 0.976) and multiparous (r = -0.003, P = 0.712) pregnant women. However, anxiety and pregnancy symptoms were significantly correlated among nulliparous (r = 0.424, P < 0.001) and multiparous (r = 0.227, P = 0.028) pregnant women. According to the general linearmodel, after adjusting the socio-demographic variables, a significant correlation was observed between anxiety and pregnancy symptoms (P < 0.001), while no relationship was found between anxiety and MFA (P = 0.705).

Given the significant correlation between anxiety and pregnancy symptoms, pregnant women with anxiety symptoms need to be screened and treated by an expert psychological team if their disorder is confirmed.