Raspberry leaf (Rubus idaeus) use in pregnancy: a prospective observational study.

Background: Raspberry leaf use during pregnancy in Australia is widespread. There has been little research exploring the potential beneficial or harmful effects of raspberry leaf on pregnancy, labour, and birth. More research is needed to appropriately inform childbearing women and maternity healthcare professionals on the effects of raspberry leaf so that women can make informed choices.

Exclusive Breastfeeding at Discharge in Regional New South Wales, Australia: The Role of Antenatal Care (2011-2020).

Increasing the number of infants exclusively breastfeeding on discharge from the hospital after birth is a key goal of breastfeeding policy in New South Wales (NSW), Australia. Despite consistent efforts, exclusive breastfeeding on discharge rates have declined over the past decade. Using pooled data from the New South Wales Perinatal Data Collection from 2011 to 2020, we examined the association between antenatal care (ANC) and exclusive breastfeeding at discharge from birth admission outcomes for mother-baby dyads in Southern New South Wales Local Health District (SNSWLHD).

Impact of Antenatal Care on Perinatal Outcomes in New South Wales, Australia: A Decade-Long Regional Perspective.

Low birth weight (LBW) and preterm birth are adverse perinatal outcomes that pose a significant risk to a child's healthy beginning. While antenatal care (ANC) is an established intervention for pregnancy care, little is understood about how the number and timing of ANC visits can impact these adverse health outcomes. This study aimed to examine the impact of the number and timing of ANC visits on LBW and preterm birth in a regional setting.

Biophysical effects, safety and efficacy of raspberry leaf use in pregnancy: a systematic integrative review.

Background: Childbearing women have been using various herbs to assist with pregnancy, labour and birth for centuries. One of the most common is raspberry leaf. The evidence base for the use of raspberry leaf is however under-developed.

Development and validation of the Australian Midwifery Standards Assessment Tool (AMSAT) to the Australian Midwife Standards for Practice 2018.

Background: The Australian Midwifery Standards Assessment Tool (AMSAT) was developed against the Competency Standards for the Midwife in 2017 to enable consistent assessment of midwifery student performance in practice-based settings. The AMSAT requires revision and re-validation as the competency standards have now been superseded by the Midwife Standards for Practice 2018.

Objective: This research revised and validated the AMSAT to assess performance of midwifery students against the Midwife Standards for Practice 2018 and assessed its sensitivity.

Women's motivation, perception and experience of complementary and alternative medicine in pregnancy: A meta-synthesis.

Background: complementary and Alternative Medicine use during pregnancy is popular in many countries, including Australia. There is currently little evidence to support this practice, which raises the question of women's motivation for use of these therapies and the experiences they encounter.

Objective: this study aims to explore the perceptions, motivations and experiences of pregnant women with regard to their use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine during pregnancy.

'You've got it within you': the political act of keeping a wellness focus in the antenatal time.

Objective: by exploring midwives' communication techniques intended to promote a wellness focus in the antenatal period, this study identified strategies midwives use to amplify women's own resources and capacities, with the aim of reducing antenatal anxiety.

Design: a qualitative design utilising focus groups as a means of generating data.

Setting: two Australian cities: Canberra, ACT and Sydney NSW.