A randomized controlled trial of an oral probiotic to reduce antepartum group B Streptococcus colonization and gastrointestinal symptoms.

Background: Probiotics have been suggested as a strategy to reduce antenatal group B Streptococcus colonization. Although probiotics are known to improve gastrointestinal symptoms, this has not been studied during pregnancy.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of a probiotic to reduce: (1) standard-of-care antenatal group B Streptococcus colonization and colony counts and (2) gastrointestinal symptoms of pregnancy.

Probiotic interventions to reduce antepartum Group B streptococcus colonization: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: To systematically review and meta-analyse studies of the efficacy of probiotics to reduce antenatal Group B Streptococcus (GBS) colonisation.

Participants: Antenatal participants with known positive GBS colonisation or unknown GBS status.

Intervention: Probiotic interventions containing species of Lactobacillus or Streptococcus.

Diverse students collaborating to address social determinants of health using listening sessions.

In this article, a Nursing Workforce Diversity grant-funded project examined the social determinants of health (SDH) including diverse high school and baccalaureate nursing students. All involved students were from educationally and/or economically disadvantaged backgrounds and/or underrepresented minority groups. The purpose of this article is to report the project outcome data and analysis gathered from students' experiences of SDH, using the collaborative method, listening sessions.

Laboratory Analysis Techniques for the Perinatal Microbiome: Implications for Studies of Probiotic Interventions.

The microbiome is composed of many organisms and is impacted by an intricate exchange between genetics and environmental factors. The perinatal microbiome influences both the developing fetus and the pregnant person. The purpose of this article is to describe the tests that are currently available for laboratory analysis of the perinatal microbiome in relationship to probiotic interventions.

U.S.-Born Mexican-Origin Women's Descriptions About Their Eating Patterns.

Introduction: Mexican origin (MO) women comprise the largest Hispanic subgroup of Latinas in the United States. This subgroup has high incidences of obesity and associated chronic diseases. Modifiable risk factors for these include unhealthy diets and eating patterns.

Validity and Reliability of the Antepartum Gastrointestinal Symptom Assessment Instrument.

Objective: To examine the psychometric properties of the nine-item Antepartum Gastrointestinal Symptom Assessment (AP-GI-SA) instrument.

Design: Single-group prospective design.

Setting: Urban prenatal clinic serving a diverse population.

Through the Microbial Looking Glass: Premature Labor, Preeclampsia, and Gestational Diabetes: A Scoping Review.

The influence of microbial factors on adverse perinatal outcomes has become the focal point of recent investigations, with particular interest in the role of the microbiome and probiotic interventions. The purpose of this scoping review was to identify and critique the most recent evidence about these factors as they relate to pregnancies complicated by preeclampsia (PEC), preterm birth (PTB), and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Four databases (PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Cochrane) were searched for articles published in English in the last 10 years with the concepts of the microbiome, probiotics, and PEC, PTB, or GDM.

Registered Nurses' Experiences of Passing the NCLEX-RN After More Than One Attempt.

Background: In the past decade, little research has been conducted regarding individuals' stories about not initially being successful on the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses. An unsuccessful licensure examination attempt may affect the individual personally and profoundly in ways that could influence their future success.

Method: Individual in-depth interviews were conducted once with 15 RNs who were initially unsuccessful on the licensure examination and subsequently passed.

Probiotics for Treatment and Prevention of Urogenital Infections in Women: A Systematic Review.

Introduction: Probiotics are a complementary and integrative therapy useful in the treatment and prevention of urogenital infections in women. This study extends the work of researchers who systematically investigated the scientific literature on probiotics to prevent or treat urogenital infections.

Methods: A systematic review was conducted to determine the efficacy of probiotics for prevention and/or treatment of urogenital infections in adult women from January 1, 2008, through June 30, 2015.

Reactions of Low-Income African American Women to Breastfeeding Peer Counselors.

Objective: To examine the influence of breastfeeding peer counseling on the breastfeeding experiences of African American mothers who participated in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC).

Design: Qualitative study using focus groups.

Setting: Two WIC clinics in Southeast Wisconsin were used for recruitment and data collection.

Feasibility of oral prenatal probiotics against maternal group B Streptococcus vaginal and rectal colonization.

Objective: To examine the effect of an oral prenatal probiotic on group B Streptococcus (GBS) colonization and to demonstrate the feasibility of a larger randomized controlled trial.

Design: This pilot study was an open-label, two-group quasi-experiment.

Setting: An urban central city nurse-midwifery and wellness center serving a diverse population.

Perinatal outcomes of prenatal probiotic and prebiotic administration: an integrative review.

The purpose of this integrative review was to identify, critique, and synthesize the maternal and neonatal evidence on the prenatal use of probiotics and prebiotics to inform perinatal health professionals. A comprehensive literature search resulted in 37 studies of prenatal probiotics and 1 on antepartal prebiotics published from 1990 through 2011 that reported maternal, fetal, and/or neonatal outcomes. The methodologic quality of the studies reviewed was high, although investigators used different probiotic combinations and inconsistently reported perinatal clinical outcomes.

African American women's infant feeding choices: prenatal breast-feeding self-efficacy and narratives from a black feminist perspective.

Purpose: Examining prenatal breast-feeding self-efficacy and infant feeding decisions among African American women using a mixed-method approach. A black feminist philosophy was used to keep women's experiences as the central research focus.

Method: The Prenatal Breast-feeding Self-efficacy Scale was used to determine differences between intended breast-feeders and formula users among 59 women.

Affirming motherhood: validation and invalidation in women's perinatal hospice narratives.

Background: Perinatal hospice is an option for women who learn during pregnancy that their fetuses are affected by terminal conditions and choose to continue their affected pregnancies. These women face emotional pain and the impending loss of their fetuses or infants. The aims of this study were to explore the experiences of perinatal hospice mothers, to gather knowledge useful to health professionals, and to guide future research.

Balancing the scale: directions for future research for perinatal advanced practice nurses.

Advanced practice nurses, including midwives, are well positioned to conduct, participate, or both in both basic and translational research to improve the outcomes and processes of perinatal care. This article contains suggestions for future research by perinatal advanced practice nurses, conceptualized around a scale to promote balance in outcomes. More research is needed in a number of areas, examples include collaborative practice, normal birth, and translation of the evidence concerning skin-to-skin practice.

Continuity and change in mothers' narratives of perinatal hospice.

Objectives: (1) To broadly explore the experiences of women who chose to continue pregnancies affected by lethal fetal diagnoses and (2) to develop knowledge useful to nurses and other healthcare professionals who provide perinatal hospice (PH) care.

Design: Qualitative descriptive study using narrative analysis.

Participants: Fifteen women who learned during their pregnancies of a lethal fetal diagnosis and chose to continue the affected pregnancies.

Listening sessions with Latinas: documenting life contexts and creating connections.

Objective: To use listening sessions with groups of Latinas to develop a contextual understanding of the lives of immigrant women to inform program development and ultimately better serve the community's needs for domestic violence services.

Design And Sample: This study was exploratory and descriptive, mixing qualitative listening sessions with quantitative methods. Seven listening group sessions were facilitated with 63 women participating.

Impact of self-hypnosis in women on select physiologic and psychological parameters.

Objective: To examine physiologic and psychologic effects of hypnosis in healthy women.

Design: Quasi-experimental, within-subject, repeated measures.

Setting: Private laboratory setting in an urban Midwestern College of Nursing.

Exploration of African-American women's infant feeding choices.

It is well documented in the literature that breastfeeding is more beneficial for infants and mothers than is formula feeding. Yet, African-American women are least likely to initiate and continue breastfeeding compared to other ethnic groups. Few studies have examined African-American women's infant feeding choices from the women's perspectives.

A critical appraisal of guidelines for antenatal care: components of care and priorities in prenatal education.

There are a variety of published prenatal care (PNC) guidelines that claim a scientific basis for the information included. Four sets of PNC guidelines published between 2005 and 2009 were examined and critiqued. The recommendations for assessment procedures, laboratory testing, and education/counseling topics were analyzed within and between these guidelines.