The IRIS clinic: A Protocol for a mixed-methods study evaluating the management of Hyperemesis Gravidarum.

Background: Hyperemesis Gravidarum (HG) is a severe form of nausea and vomiting in pregnancy that affects 0.3-3% of women and has profound nutritional, physical and psychological consequences. Research is lacking regarding the most effective management of the condition.

Multicomponent perinatal breastfeeding support in women with BMI >25: The Latch On multi-centre randomised trial.

Objective: To investigate the effectiveness of a multicomponent breastfeeding support intervention on breastfeeding prevalence at 3 months among women with a body mass index (BMI) >25 kg/m.

Design: Multicentre multicomponent randomised controlled trial.

Setting: Four maternity centres in Ireland.

Women's experiences of Hyperemesis Gravidarum (HG) and of attending a dedicated multi-disciplinary hydration clinic.

Problem: Hyperemesis Gravidarum (HG) is a severe form of nausea and vomiting in pregnancy that affects 1-3 % of women and has profound nutritional, physical and psychological consequences. Previous research identified that women with HG report inadequate infrastructure for day case management.

Introduction: A multi-disciplinary HG day case service (IRIS Hydration Clinic) was launched and provides routine care for women with HG in a dedicated unit.

The importance of communication and involvement in decision-making: A study in Ireland exploring birth satisfaction using the Birth Satisfaction Scale-Revised (BSS-R).

Introduction: Evaluation in healthcare services has become a priority, globally. The Government of Ireland has highlighted the importance of stakeholder engagement to identify the needs of women in the design and delivery of high-quality health services, driven by necessity rather than financial ability. The Birth Satisfaction Scale-Revised (BSS-R), an internationally validated tool, and recommended for measuring childbirth satisfaction by the International Consortium for Health Outcomes Measurement (ICHOM); however, it has yet to be considered in the Irish context.

'Labour Hopscotch': Women's evaluation of using the steps during labor.

Introduction: Concerns have been expressed globally about the decline in rates of physiological birth and rising intervention rates during labor and birth. The 'Labour Hopscotch' Framework, a visual depiction of steps required to remain active during labor was implemented in a large tertiary maternity hospital in Ireland. The aim of this study was to evaluate the steps of the Labour Hopscotch women found most useful, examine the use of non-pharmacological and pharmacological methods of pain relief used during labor and finally to investigate the labor and birth outcomes of women who used 'Labour Hopscotch' during labor.

Exploring midwives' experiences of implementing the Labour Hopscotch Framework: A midwifery innovation.

Introduction: Midwives are ideally placed to promote physiological birth and improve women's birth experiences. Freedom of movement in labor is highly recommended as it reduces a need for obstetric interventions in labor and prevents and corrects labor complications, such as poor progress and malposition of the fetus. The Labour Hopscotch Framework (LHF) provides women and midwives with a visual depiction of the steps they can undertake to remain active and, in this way, support physiological birth processes.

Latch On: A protocol for a multi-centre, randomised controlled trial of perinatal support to improve breastfeeding outcomes in women with a raised BMI.

Introduction: Breastfeeding is associated with improved maternal and child outcomes. Women with a higher body mass index (BMI), who comprise about 50% of the population, are at increased risk of poorer breastfeeding practices and are a population who would benefit from breastfeeding.

Methods: This protocol is for a multi-centre, randomised controlled trial of perinatal breastfeeding support among primiparous women with a BMI >25 kg/m, using a previously-tested, multi-component intervention.

Perineal management: Midwives' confidence and educational needs.

Objective: The overall aim of this study was to collate information to inform the updating of a perineal management educational programme for midwives. This paper explores midwives' confidence and educational needs in managing the woman's perineum during the second stage of labour, focusing on future quality initiatives to improve midwives' experiences and expertise in the prevention of perineal trauma during birth.

Design: A mixed-methods sequential exploratory design was used.

Antenatal breastfeeding self-efficacy and breastfeeding outcomes among mothers participating in a feasibility breastfeeding-support intervention.

Background: Breastfeeding rates in Ireland are among the lowest worldwide. A feasibility study of a breastfeeding-support intervention explored maternal characteristics associated with antenatal breastfeeding self-efficacy and with infant-feeding mode at 6 weeks postpartum among women giving birth in Ireland.

Methods: We conducted a prospective study across two sites, urban and rural: The National Maternity Hospital (NMH), Dublin and Wexford General Hospital (WGH), Wexford.

Bereavement care education and training in clinical practice: Supporting the development of confidence in student midwives.

Aims: To improve the confidence in student Midwives to provide bereavement careto parents following pregnancy loss and perinatal death.

Background: The one-day interactive Educational Training Workshop in Bereavement Care (ETWBC) was developed for student midwives in their final year of their B.Sc.

A feasibility study of a multidimensional breastfeeding-support intervention in Ireland.

Background: Breastfeeding is the optimum mode of infant feeding. Despite this, most global populations do not achieve the World Health Organisation's recommendation of exclusive breast milk for the first 6 months of life. Irish breastfeeding rates are among the lowest in Europe, necessitating a well-designed breastfeeding-support intervention.

Evaluating midwife-led antenatal care: choice, experience, effectiveness, and preparation for pregnancy.

Objective: to evaluate midwife-led care (MLC) antenatal care compared with antenatal care provided in traditional obstetric-led hospital antenatal clinics (usual care).

Design: a mixed methods approach involving a chart audit, postal survey, focus group and in-depth interviews.

Setting: data were collected at a large maternity hospital and satellite clinics in Dublin from women attending for antenatal care between June 2011 and May 2012.

Evaluating midwifery-led antenatal care: using a programme logic model to identify relevant outcomes.

Background: a range of initiatives has been introduced in Ireland and internationally in recent years to establish midwifery-led models of care, generally aimed at increasing the choices available for women for maternity care. A midwifery-led antenatal clinic was first established at the study site (a large urban maternity hospital in Dublin) and extended over recent years. This paper reports on the design of an evaluation of these midwives clinics, in particular the use of a programme logic model to select outcomes to be included in the evaluation.