Tecnologias no parto e modelos de cuidado obstétrico

This article is based on a study of a reform in the organisation of maternity services in the United Kingdom, which aimed towards developing a more woman-centred model of care. After decades of fragmentation and depersonalisation of care, associated with the shift of birth to a hospital setting, pressure by midwives and mothers prompted government review and a relatively radical turnaround in policy. However, the emergent model of care has been profoundly influenced by concepts and technologies of monitoring. The use of such technologies as ultrasound scans, electronic foetal monitoring and oxytocic augmentation of labour, generally supported by epidural anaesthesia for pain relief, have accompanied the development of a particular ecological model of birth – often called active management –, which is oriented towards the idea of an obstetric norm. Drawing on analysis of women’s narrative accounts of labour and birth, this article discusses the impact on women’s embodiment in birth, and the sources of information they use about the status of their own bodies, their labour and that of the child. It also illustrates how the impact on women’s experiences of birth may be mediated by a relational model of support, through the provision of caseload midwifery care.Este artículo se basa en un estudio sobre la reforma de la organización de los servicios de maternidad en el Reino Unido, que tubo como objetivo desarrollar un modelo más centrado en la mujer. Después de décadas de fragmentación y despersonalización de la atención, asociada con la ascensión del hospital como el lugar de parir, la presión de parteras y madres obligó al gobierno a revisar y hacer un cambio relativamente radical de esta política. Sin embargo, el modelo emergente de atención es profundamente influenciado por los conceptos y las tecnologías de monitoreo. El uso de tecnologías como ecografía, monitorización electrónica fetal y aceleración del parto con oxitocina, por lo general acompañada de anestesia epidural para el alivio del dolor, ha promovido el desarrollo de un modelo ecológico específico de nacimiento – a menudo llamado la manejo de activo –, orientado la idea de una norma obstétrica. Con base en los relatos de las mujeres, este artículo analiza el impacto del modelo de atención en el posicionamiento de las mujeres frente al parto y las fuentes de información acerca de sus cuerpos, sus partos y el nacimiento del niño que ellas utilizan. También ilustra cómo el impacto de las experiencias de parto de las mujeres puede ser mediado por un modelo relacional de apoyo, a través de la prestación de cuidados de partería en el modelo caseload.
Este artigo baseia-se em um estudo sobre a reforma na organização dos serviços de maternidade no Reino Unido, que teve como objetivo desenvolver um modelo mais centrado na mulher. Após décadas de fragmentação e despersonalização da assistência, associadas à ascensão do hospital como lugar de parir, a pressão de parteiras e mães obrigou o governo a uma revisão e mudança relativamente radical desta política. No entanto, o modelo emergente de cuidados tem sido profundamente influenciado pelos conceitos e tecnologias de monitoramento. O uso de tecnologias como ultra-sonografia, monitoramento eletrônico fetal e aceleração do parto com ocitocina, geralmente acompanhada de anestesia peridural para alívio da dor, tem promovido o desenvolvimento de um modelo ecológico específico de nascimento – muitas vezes chamado de manejo ativo –, orientado pela idéia de uma norma obstétrica. Com base na análise da narrativa das mulheres, este artigo discute o impacto do modelo assistencial no posicionamento das mulheres frente ao parto e as fontes de informação sobre seus corpos, seus partos e o nascimento da criança que elas utilizam. Ilustra, também, como o impacto nas experiências de parto das mulheres pode ser mediado por um modelo relacional de apoio, mediante a prestação de cuidados de obstetrícia no modelo caseload

Doctor Versus Midwifery-led Care: A Commentary on a Task-shift, not Only Complex but Difficult to Accept

info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

A realist evaluation of a normal birth programme

Background. Complex programmes are characterised by multiple components, acting independently and interdependently, at multiple levels, within diverse and dynamic systems. High-quality evaluation of such programmes is imperative for optimising their development, implementation and effectiveness, but is often challenging. There is debate about whether the traditional outcome-focused approaches are feasible or appropriate for evaluations of large-scale, complex programmes as they often fall short of explaining how and why they do or do not work. Theory-driven approaches offer a more appropriate alternative as they attempt to uncover the black-box between the programme's inputs and the resulting complex pattern of outcomes. Aim. This paper illustrates drawing upon a realist evaluation to assess a complex programme to support normal birth. Method. Firstly, the programme theories - the ideas about how the programme would bring about change - were elicited from programme developers and key stakeholders. Secondly, these initial hypotheses were tested out by collecting data on how the programme worked in different contexts, using a multiple case study design. Thirdly, the data were analysed and interpreted to refine the programme theories in light of evidence on how the programme unfolded in practice. Findings. Described in detail are the process of conducting a realist evaluation, methods used, steps in data analyses, challenges encountered and the approach adopted to overcome them. The usefulness of this approach and some limitations are discussed

Organising safe and sustainable care in alongside midwifery units: Findings from an organisational ethnographic study

Aims and Background: Alongside midwifery units (AMUs, also known as hospital or co-located birth centres) were identified as a novel hybrid organisational form in the Birthplace in England Research Programme. This follow-on study aimed to investigate how AMUs are organised, staffed and managed, the experiences of women, and maternity staff including those who work in AMUs and in adjacent obstetric units. This article focuses on study findings relating to the organisation and management of AMUs. Methods: An organisational ethnography approach was used, incorporating case studies of four AMUs, selected for maximum variation on the basis of geographical context, length of establishment, size of unit, leadership and physical design. Interviews were conducted between December 2011 and October 2012 with service managers and key stakeholders (n=35), with professionals working within and in relation to AMUs (n=54) and with postnatal women and birth partners (n=47). Observations were conducted of key decision-making points in the service (n=20). Findings: Managers saw four key areas as vital to developing and sustaining good quality midwifery unit care: finance and service management support, staffing, training, and appropriate guidelines. Development of AMUs was often opportunistic, with service leaders making use of service reconfigurations to achieve change, including development of MUs and new care pathways. Midwives working in AMUs valued the environment, approach and the opportunity to exercise greater clinical judgement but relations between groups of midwives in different units could be experienced as problematic. Key potential challenges for the quality, safety and sustainability of AMU care included: boundary work and management; professional issues; developing appropriate staffing models and relationships; midwives’ skills and confidence; and information and access for women. Responses to such challenges included greater focus on interdisciplinary skills training, and integrated models of midwifery and care pathways. Positive leadership and appropriate development and use of guidelines were important to underpin the development and sustainability of midwifery units. Conclusions: The units studied had been developed to form a key part of the maternity service, and their role was increasingly being recognised as valid and as maintaining the quality and safety of care in the maternity service as a whole. However, each was providing birth care for only about a third of women who had been classified as eligible to plan birth outside an obstetric unit at the end of pregnancy. Developing midwifery units involves aligning physical, professional and philosophical boundaries. However, this poses challenges when managing the service, to ensure it is sustainable, of high quality and safe. In order to fulfil evidence-based guidelines on providing midwifery unit care, further attention is needed to staff training and support; the development of integrated, continuity-based staffing models; and ensuring AMUs are positioned as a core service rather than a marginal one

Optimal time intervals for vaginal breech births: a case-control study [version 2; peer review: 1 approved, 2 approved with reservations, 1 not approved]

Background: Breech births are associated with a high rate of hypoxic injury, in part due to cord occlusion during emergence. Maximum time intervals and guidelines oriented toward earlier intervention have been proposed in a Physiological Breech Birth Algorithm. We wished to further test and refine the Algorithm for use in a clinical trial. Methods: We conducted a retrospective case-control study in a London teaching hospital, including 15 cases and 30 controls, during the period of April 2012 to April 2020. Our sample size was powered to test the hypothesis that exceeding recommended time limits is associated with neonatal admission or death. Data collected from intrapartum care records was analysed using SPSS v26 statistical software. Variables were intervals between the stages of labour and various stages of emergence (presenting part, buttocks, pelvis, arms, head). The chi-square test and odds ratios were used to determine association between exposure to the variables of interest and composite outcome.  Multiple logistic regression was used to test the predictive value of delays defined as non-adherence the Algorithm. Results: Logistic regression modelling using the Algorithm time frames had an 86.8% accuracy, a sensitivity of 66.7% and a specificity of 92.3% for predicting the primary outcome. Delays between umbilicus and head >3 minutes (OR: 9.508 [95% CI: 1.390-65.046] p=0.022) and from buttocks on the perineum to head >7 minutes (OR: 6.682 [95% CI: 0.940-41.990] p=0.058) showed the most effect. Lengths of time until the first intervention were consistently longer among the cases. Delay in intervention was more common among cases than head or arm entrapment. Conclusion: Emergence taking longer than the limits recommended in the Physiological Breech Birth algorithm may be predictive of adverse outcomes. Some of this delay is potentially avoidable. Improved recognition of the boundaries of normality in vaginal breech births may help improve outcomes

‘Keeping Birth Normal’: Exploratory evaluation of a training package for midwives in an inner-city, alongside midwifery unit

Objectives to gain understanding about how participants perceived the value and effectiveness of ‘Keeping Birth Normal’ training, barriers to implementing it in an along-side midwifery unit, and how the training might be enhanced in future iterations. Design exploratory interpretive. Setting inner-city maternity service. Participants 31 midwives attending a one-day training package on one of three occasions. Methods data were collected using semi-structured observation of the training, a short feedback form (23/31 participants), and focus groups (28/31 participants). Feedback form data were analysed using summative content analysis, following which all data sets were pooled and thematically analysed using a template agreed by the researchers. Findings We identified six themes contributing to the workshop's effectiveness as perceived by participants. Three related to the workshop design: (1) balanced content, (2) sharing stories and strategies and (3) ‘less is more.’ And three related to the workshop leaders: (4) inspiration and influence, (5) cultural safety and (6) managing expectations. Cultural focus on risk and low prioritisation of normal birth were identified as barriers to implementing evidence-based practice supporting normal birth. Building a community of practice and the role of consultant midwives were identified as potential opportunities. Key conclusions and implications for practice a review of evidence, local statistics and practical skills using active educational approaches was important to this training. Two factors not directly related to content appeared equally important: catalysing a community of practice and the perceived power of workshop leaders to influence organisational systems limiting the agency of individual midwives. Cyclic, interactive training involving consultant midwives, senior midwives and the multidisciplinary team may be recommended to be most effective

Antenatal care policy in high-income countries with a universal health system: A scoping review

The availability, effectiveness, and access to antenatal care are directly linked with good maternal and neonatal outcomes, making antenatal care an important determinant in health. But to be effective, care must always be appropriate, not excessive, not insufficient. Perinatal outcomes vary within and between countries, raising questions about practices, the use of best evidence in clinical decisions and the existence of clear and updated guidance. Through a scoping review methodology, this study aimed to map the available antenatal care policies for lowrisk pregnant women in high-income countries with a universal health system, financed by the government through tax payments. Following searches on the main databases and grey literature, the authors identified and analysed ten antenatal care policies using a previously piloted datachart: Australia, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Italy, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom. Some policies were over 10 years old, some recommendations did not present a rationale or context, others were outdated, or were simply different approaches in the absence of strong evidence. Whilst some recommendations were ubiquitous, others differed either in the recommendation provided, the timing, or the frequency. Similarly, we found wide variation in the methods/strategy used to support the recommendations provided. These results confirm that best evidence is not always assimilated into policies and clinical guidance. Further research crossing these differences with perinatal outcomes and evaluation of cost could be valuable to optimise guidance on antenatal care. Similarly, some aspects of care need further rigorous studies to obtain evidence of higher quality to inform recommendations.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Technologies of birth and models of midwifery care

This article is based on a study of a reform in the organisation of maternity services in the United Kingdom, which aimed towards developing a more woman-centred model of care. After decades of fragmentation and depersonalisation of care, associated with the shift of birth to a hospital setting, pressure by midwives and mothers prompted government review and a relatively radical turnaround in policy. However, the emergent model of care has been profoundly influenced by concepts and technologies of monitoring. The use of such technologies as ultrasound scans, electronic foetal monitoring and oxytocic augmentation of labour, generally supported by epidural anaesthesia for pain relief, have accompanied the development of a particular ecological model of birth – often called active management –, which is oriented towards the idea of an obstetric norm. Drawing on analysis of women’s narrative accounts of labour and birth, this article discusses the impact on women’s embodiment in birth, and the sources of information they use about the status of their own bodies, their labour and that of the child. It also illustrates how the impact on women’s experiences of birth may be mediated by a relational model of support, through the provision of caseload midwifery care

Testing the effectiveness of REACH Pregnancy Circles group antenatal care: protocol for a randomised controlled pilot trial

Background Antenatal care is an important public health priority. Women from socially disadvantaged, and culturally and linguistically diverse groups often have difficulties with accessing antenatal care and report more negative experiences with care. Although group antenatal care has been shown in some settings to be effective for improving women’s experiences of care and for improving other maternal as well as newborn health outcomes, these outcomes have not been rigorously assessed in the UK. A pilot trial will be conducted to determine the feasibility of, and optimum methods for, testing the effectiveness of group antenatal care in an NHS setting serving populations with high levels of social deprivation and cultural, linguistic and ethnic diversity. Outcomes will inform the protocol for a future full trial. Methods This protocol outlines an individual-level randomised controlled external pilot trial with integrated process and economic evaluations. The two trial arms will be group care and standard antenatal care. The trial will involve the recruitment of 72 pregnant women across three maternity services within one large NHS Acute Trust. Baseline, outcomes and economic data will be collected via questionnaires completed by the participants at three time points, with the final scheduled for 4 months postnatal. Routine maternity service data will also be collected for outcomes assessment and economic evaluation purposes. Stakeholder interviews will provide insights into the acceptability of research and intervention processes, including the use of interpreters to support women who do not speak English. Pre-agreed criteria have been selected to guide the decision about whether or not to progress to a full trial. Discussion This pilot trial will determine if it is appropriate to proceed to a full trial of group antenatal care in this setting. If progression is supported, the pilot will provide authoritative high-quality evidence to inform the design and conduct of a trial in this important area that holds significant potential to influence maternity care, outcomes and experience