Opinions of Postpartum Women about the Impact of Pregnancy and Childbirth on Sexual Life

Abstract Introduction: Sexual life is often a very sensitive topic, but it may be especially delicate subject for pregnant women. Women are worried about possible impact of pregnancy and childbirth on their sexual life. Aim: The aim was to collect and analyze information given by patients in postpartum units about their opinions of impact of pregnancy, childbirth and partner’s presence during delivery on their sexual life. Materials and methods: Cross-sectional study was carried out involving 351 women in postpartum period. Data were collected from August 2016 until December 2016 in the Maternity Hospital using patient questionnaires. Results: Mean age was 30.3 years (SD 5.1; range, 18 - 43 years). 52.1% (n=183) participants were primiparous and 47.9% (n=168) were multiparous. 92.0% (n=323) had coitus during pregnancy and 8.0% (n=28) did not have. In 41.6% sexual desire decreased during pregnancy. 29.6% (n=104) were worried about impact of childbirth on sexual life, 35.3% (n=124) were worried if letting partner to participate in childbirth would change partners opinion about their sexual life. 49.6% (n=174) got advice from gynecologist about their sexual life during pregnancy, 26.2% (n=92) would like to talk about sexual life with gynecologist. Conclusions: Most of the women are sexually active during pregnancy. Primiparous compared to multiparous are more often worried that childbirth and partner’s presence during delivery may influence their sexual life. Those who admit sexual life as important for them more often are worried about possible impact and want to talk about sexuality with their gynecologist.publishersversionPeer reviewe

Womenʼs perspectives on the quality of maternal and newborn care in childbirth during the COVID-19 pandemic in Latvia: Results from the IMAgiNE EURO study on 40 WHO standards-based quality measures

Objective To investigate women's perspectives on the quality of maternal and newborn care (QMNC) around the time of childbirth during the COVID-19 pandemic in Latvia, comparing the years 2020 and 2021, among women who went into labor or had a prelabor cesarean. Methods Women giving birth in healthcare facilities in Latvia from March 1, 2020, to October 28, 2021, answered an online questionnaire including 40 WHO standards-based quality measures. Descriptive and multivariate quantile regression analyses were performed to compare QMNC in 2020 and 2021. Results 2079 women were included in the analysis: 1860 women who went into labor (group 1) and 219 with prelabor cesarean (group 2). Among group 1, 66.4% (n = 99/149) of women received fundal pressure in an instrumental vaginal birth, 43.5% (n = 810) lacked involvement in choices, 17.4% (n = 317) reported suffering abuse, 32.7% (n = 609) reported inadequate breastfeeding support while 5.2% (n = 96) lack of early breastfeeding. A significant reduction in QMNC due to the COVID-19 pandemic was reported by 29.5% (n = 219) and 25.0% (n = 270) of respondents in 2020 and 2021, respectively (P = 0.045). Multivariate analyses highlighted a significantly lower QMNC index for 2020 compared with 2021 (P < 0.001). Conclusion This first study investigating QMNC in Latvia showed significant gaps in QMNC perceived by respondents, with slightly better results in 2021. Appropriate healthcare strategies to improve health care for women and newborns in Latvia are required.publishersversionPeer reviewe

Regional differences in the quality of maternal and neonatal care during the COVID-19 pandemic in Portugal: results from the IMAgiNE EURO study

Objective: To compare women's perspectives on the quality of maternal and newborn care (QMNC) around the time of childbirth across Nomenclature of Territorial Units for Statistics 2 (NUTS-II) regions in Portugal during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: Women participating in the cross-sectional IMAgiNE EURO study who gave birth in Portugal from March 1, 2020, to October 28, 2021, completed a structured questionnaire with 40 key WHO standards-based quality measures. Four domains of QMNC were assessed: (1) provision of care; (2) experience of care; (3) availability of human and physical resources; and (4) reorganizational changes due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Frequencies for each quality measure within each QMNC domain were computed overall and by region. Results: Out of 1845 participants, one-third (33.7%) had a cesarean. Examples of high-quality care included: low frequencies of lack of early breastfeeding and rooming-in (8.0% and 7.7%, respectively) and informal payment (0.7%); adequate staff professionalism (94.6%); adequate room comfort and equipment (95.2%). However, substandard practices with large heterogeneity across regions were also reported. Among women who experienced labor, the percentage of instrumental vaginal births ranged from 22.3% in the Algarve to 33.5% in Center; among these, fundal pressure ranged from 34.8% in Lisbon to 66.7% in Center. Episiotomy was performed in 39.3% of noninstrumental vaginal births with variations between 31.8% in the North to 59.8% in Center. One in four women reported inadequate breastfeeding support (26.1%, ranging from 19.4% in Algarve to 31.5% in Lisbon). One in five reported no exclusive breastfeeding at discharge (22.1%; 19.5% in Lisbon to 28.2% in Algarve). Conclusion: Urgent actions are needed to harmonize QMNC and reduce inequities across regions in Portugal.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Quality of health care around the time of childbirth during the COVID-19 pandemic: Results from the IMAgiNE EURO study in Norway and trends over time

Objective: To describe maternal perception of the quality of maternal and newborn care (QMNC) in facilities in Norway during the first year of COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: Women who gave birth in a Norwegian facility from March 1, 2020, to October 28, 2021, filled out a structured online questionnaire based on 40 WHO standards-based quality measures. Quantile regression analysis was performed to assess changes in QMNC index over time. Results: Among 3326 women included, 3085 experienced labor. Of those, 1799 (58.3%) reported that their partner could not be present as much as needed, 918 (29.8%) noted inadequate staff numbers, 183 (43.6%) lacked a consent request for instrumental vaginal birth (IVB), 1067 (34.6%) reported inadequate communication from staff, 78 (18.6%) reported fundal pressure during IVB, 670 (21.7%) reported that they were not treated with dignity, and 249 (8.1%) reported experiencing abuse. The QMNC index increased gradually over time (3.68 points per month, 95% CI, 2.83– 4.53 for the median), with the domains of COVID-19 reorganizational changes and experience of care displaying the greatest increases, while provision of care was stable over time. Conclusion: Although several measures showed high QMNC in Norway during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, and a gradual improvement over time, several findings suggest that gaps in QMNC exist. These gaps should be addressed and monitored

Clinical Case of Pregnancy and Follow-Up of Bartter Syndrome (Type II) with a Novel Mutation

Background: Bartter syndrome is a rare autosomal recessive inherited salt wasting tubulopathy, it`s incidence proportion is 1.2 cases per 1.000.000 live births. The present case - report discusses a clinical case of an antenatal Bartter syndrome (type II) with a novel mutation and it`s course from antenatal presentation to 6 months postpartum.Case Presentation: The case-report discusses a clinical case of an antenatal Bartter syndrome (type II) with a novel homozygous missense variant mutation in KCNJ1 gene: c.554C>T (p. Pro185Leu). Symptoms presented from 24 weeks of pregnancy as premature labour threats, maternal dyspnoea and severe polyhydramnios (amniotic fluid index 36 cm). Therapeutic interventions included use of indomethacin, dexamethasone, micronized progesterone and three consequent amnioreductions. Pregnancy was prolonged until 32 weeks and induced due to severe reoccurring polyhydramnios, progressing maternal dyspnoea and inability to perform next amnioreduction. Labour was complicated by severe placental abruption and new born – boy was referred to neonatal intensive care unit. Neonatal period was complicated by electrolyte abnormalities: hyponatremia, hypochloremic metabolic alkalosis, transient hyperkalaemia that gradually developed into hypokalaemia, hypercalcemia and elevated rennin and aldosterone levels characteristic to type II Bartter syndrome. At 6 months (corrected age 4 months) he is gaining weight within normal ranges and his psychomotor development is ahead of his corrected age, without any need for daily medications.Conclusion: The present case report describes the clinical course of a Bartter syndrome is of high importance, due to the reason that it shows clinical course of patient with novel mutation and offers one of the ways how to manage the disease. The described novel mutation may have favourable prognosis for neonate. The pregnancy should be managed as high-risk pregnancy with expertise in perinatal diagnostics and interventions. Early recognition, and interventions, are and essential to prolong a pregnancy and lessen prematurity complications.publishersversionPeer reviewe

Womenʼs perspectives on the quality of maternal and newborn care in childbirth during the COVID-19 pandemic in Latvia : results from the IMAgiNE EURO study on 40 WHO standards-based quality measures

Objective: To investigate women's perspectives on the quality of maternal and newborn care (QMNC) around the time of childbirth during the COVID-19 pandemic in Latvia, comparing the years 2020 and 2021, among women who went into labor or had a prelabor cesarean. Methods: Women giving birth in healthcare facilities in Latvia from March 1, 2020, to October 28, 2021, answered an online questionnaire including 40 WHO standards-based quality measures. Descriptive and multivariate quantile regression analyses were performed to compare QMNC in 2020 and 2021. Results: 2079 women were included in the analysis: 1860 women who went into labor (group 1) and 219 with prelabor cesarean (group 2). Among group 1, 66.4% (n = 99/149) of women received fundal pressure in an instrumental vaginal birth, 43.5% (n = 810) lacked involvement in choices, 17.4% (n = 317) reported suffering abuse, 32.7% (n = 609) reported inadequate breastfeeding support while 5.2% (n = 96) lack of early breastfeeding. A significant reduction in QMNC due to the COVID-19 pandemic was reported by 29.5% (n = 219) and 25.0% (n = 270) of respondents in 2020 and 2021, respectively (P = 0.045). Multivariate analyses highlighted a significantly lower QMNC index for 2020 compared with 2021 (P < 0.001). Conclusion: This first study investigating QMNC in Latvia showed significant gaps in QMNC perceived by respondents, with slightly better results in 2021. Appropriate healthcare strategies to improve health care for women and newborns in Latvia are required. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:NCT0484733

SUBSIBREED : overview and assessment of support measures for endangered livestock breeds : final project report

Edited by Drago Kompan, Marija Klopčič, Elżbieta Martyniu

Women's perspectives on the quality of hospital maternal and newborn care around the time of childbirth during the COVID-19 pandemic : Results from the IMAgiNE EURO study in Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia, and Bosnia-Herzegovina

Objective: To assess the quality of maternal and newborn care (QMNC) in countries of the former Yugoslavia. Method: Women giving birth in a facility in Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia, and Bosnia-Herzegovina between March 1, 2020 and July 1, 2021 answered an online questionnaire including 40 WHO standards-based quality measures. Results: A total of 4817 women were included in the analysis. Significant differences were observed across countries. Among those experiencing labor, 47.4%–62.3% of women perceived a reduction in QMNC due to the COVID-19 pandemic, 40.1%–69.7% experienced difficulties in accessing routine antenatal care, 60.3%–98.1% were not allowed a companion of choice, 17.4%–39.2% reported that health workers were not always using personal protective equipment, and 21.2%–53.8% rated the number of health workers as insufficient. Episiotomy was performed in 30.9%–62.8% of spontaneous vaginal births. Additionally, 22.6%–55.9% of women received inadequate breastfeeding support, 21.5%–62.8% reported not being treated with dignity, 11.0%–30.5% suffered abuse, and 0.7%–26.5% made informal payments. Multivariate analyses confirmed significant differences among countries, with Slovenia showing the highest QMNC index, followed by Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, and Serbia. Conclusion: Differences in QMNC among the countries of the former Yugoslavia during the COVID-19 pandemic were significant. Activities to promote high-quality, evidence-based, respectful care for all mothers and newborns are urgently needed. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04847336

Womenʼs perspectives on the quality of maternal and newborn care in childbirth during the COVID-19 pandemic in Latvia : Results from the IMAgiNE EURO study on 40 WHO standards-based quality measures

Objective: To investigate women's perspectives on the quality of maternal and newborn care (QMNC) around the time of childbirth during the COVID-19 pandemic in Latvia, comparing the years 2020 and 2021, among women who went into labor or had a prelabor cesarean. Methods: Women giving birth in healthcare facilities in Latvia from March 1, 2020, to October 28, 2021, answered an online questionnaire including 40 WHO standards-based quality measures. Descriptive and multivariate quantile regression analyses were performed to compare QMNC in 2020 and 2021. Results: 2079 women were included in the analysis: 1860 women who went into labor (group 1) and 219 with prelabor cesarean (group 2). Among group 1, 66.4% (n = 99/149) of women received fundal pressure in an instrumental vaginal birth, 43.5% (n = 810) lacked involvement in choices, 17.4% (n = 317) reported suffering abuse, 32.7% (n = 609) reported inadequate breastfeeding support while 5.2% (n = 96) lack of early breastfeeding. A significant reduction in QMNC due to the COVID-19 pandemic was reported by 29.5% (n = 219) and 25.0% (n = 270) of respondents in 2020 and 2021, respectively (P = 0.045). Multivariate analyses highlighted a significantly lower QMNC index for 2020 compared with 2021 (P < 0.001). Conclusion: This first study investigating QMNC in Latvia showed significant gaps in QMNC perceived by respondents, with slightly better results in 2021. Appropriate healthcare strategies to improve health care for women and newborns in Latvia are required. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:NCT04847336

Health workers training related to respectful maternal care: preliminary results of IMAgiNE EURO project in 12 countries

International audienceIntroduction:The IMAgiNE EURO project is currently ongoing in 23 countries. It documents the perspective of both mothers and health workers (HWs) on the quality of maternal and newborn care around the time of childbirth, during and beyond the COVID-19 pandemic. Within the IMAgiNE Euro Project this study aimed at investigating training on respectful care, across HWs from 12 countries of the WHO European Region.Material and Methods:HW providing care to women and newborns in facilities for at least 1 year between March 1st 2020 to March 1st 2023, were invited to answer an anonymous, validated, online survey based on WHO Standards Quality Measures. We performed a descriptive analysis on indicators related to respectful maternity care training courses and subgroup analyses to look at differences by facility type (private vs public) and by health profession (midwife vs other HWs).Results:Among 4143 HWs more than a half were midwives (2500, 60.3%), with the larger sample was from Italy (589, 14.2%). There was a large variation of frequencies across countries for all Quality Measures and no country was free from gaps. More than one third of HWs reported “need of significant improvement” on training events on counselling and communication (1406, 34.2%; country range: 20.1%-64.3%), pain relief practices (1496, 36.4%; 36.1%-58.0%), emotional support (1595, 38.8%; 29.1%-60.7%), informed consent practices (1757, 42.7%; 33.1%-71.3%), and rights of women/newborns (2050, 49.8%; 47.9%-82.6%). HWs in public facilities reported significantly higher “need of significant improvement” for all Quality Measures on respectful care training. Midwives perceived higher need of significant improvement for counselling and communication (p=0.001) and rights of women/newborns (p=0.002).Conclusions:HWs from both maternal and newborn area in 12 countries of the WHO European region call for improvements on training to strengthen their respectful care skills. Training delivery and HWs competences should be routinely monitored to ensure high quality care for all women