Umbilical Cord Management and Stump Care in Normal Childbirth in Slovenian and Croatian Maternity Hospitals.

The aim was to investigate first-care procedures for the newborn's umbilical cord at maternity hospitals in Slovenia and Croatia. The study was based on an empirical survey research approach and quantitative research paradigms and included all Slovenian (n=14) and all Croatian (n=35) maternity hospitals. Leaders of midwifery team of 14 Slovenian and 35 Croatian labor wards were invited to participate.

Incidence of episiotomy in Slovenia: The story behind the numbers.

Episiotomy is a surgical cut of the perineum performed in the second stage of labor in order to widen the vaginal opening and thus facilitate the birth of an infant. Despite current recommendations against the routine use of episiotomy, it is one of the most commonly performed surgical interventions during childbirth. This retrospective study explores the number of episiotomies performed in Slovenian maternity hospitals and the differences in episiotomy rates in relation to parity.

Impact of mediolateral episiotomy on incidence of obstetrical anal sphincter injury diagnosed by endoanal ultrasound.

Objective: to examine potential association between mediolateral episiotomy and reduced incidence of obstetrical anal sphincter injuries (OASIS) diagnosed by endoanal ultrasound.

Design: prospective cohort study.

Setting: tertiary referral university hospital.

Neonatal Prophylaxis: Prevention of Vitamin K Deficiency Haemorrhage and Neonatal Ophthalmia.

Introduction: The aim of the study was to explore two aspects of neonatal prophylaxis: the application of the vitamin K injection to the newborns and the prophylaxis against chlamydial and gonococcal eye infections, comparing Slovenian and Croatian practices.

Methods: A causal non-experimental method of quantitative empirical approach was used. The data was collected by means of predesigned questionnaires.

Hands-on or hands-poised: what does the evidence say?

A majority of women will experience some degree of perineal trauma during vaginal birth. The morbidity of women related to perineal trauma can reveal in perineal pain, urinary or faecal incontinence and dyspareunia. Midwives can adopt many techniques to protect the perineum from injury.

Hands-poised technique: The future technique for perineal management of second stage of labour? A modified systematic literature review.

Background: vaginal birth is often accompanied with perineal trauma that affects postpartum morbidity. There are many techniques for protecting the perineum from injury during childbirth. The Hands-On or Hands Poised (HOOP) study (McCandlish et al.