Improving maternal and neonatal outcomes for women with gestational diabetes through continuity of midwifery care: A cross-sectional study.

Problem: Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) is a complication of pregnancy which may exclude women from midwife-led models of care.

Background: There is a paucity of research evaluating the safety and feasibility of continuity of midwifery care (CoMC) for women with GDM.

Aim: To investigate the impact of CoMC on maternal and neonatal outcomes, for otherwise low-risk women with GDM.

Likelihood of primary cesarean section following induction of labor in singleton cephalic pregnancies at term, compared with expectant management: An Australian population-based, historical cohort study.

Introduction: There has been increased use of both induction of labor (IOL) and cesarean section for women with term pregnancies in many high-income countries, and a trend toward birth at earlier gestational ages. Existing evidence regarding the association between IOL and cesarean section for term pregnancies is mixed and conflicting, and little evidence is available on the differential effect at each week of gestation, stratified by parity.

Material And Methods: To explore the association between IOL and primary cesarean section for singleton cephalic pregnancies at term, compared with two definitions of expectant management (first: at or beyond the week of gestation at birth following IOL; and secondary: only beyond the week of gestation at birth following IOL), we performed analyses of population-based historical cohort data on women who gave birth in one Australian state (Queensland), between July 1, 2012 and June 30, 2018.

The financial impact of offering publicly funded homebirths: A population-based microsimulation in Queensland, Australia.

Background: Despite strong evidence of benefits and increasing consumer demand for homebirth, Australia has failed to effectively upscale it. To promote the adoption and expansion of homebirth in the public health care system, policymakers require quantifiable results to evaluate its economic value. To date, there has been limited evaluation of the financial impact of birth settings for women at low risk of pregnancy complications.

Development, woman-centricity and psychometric properties of maternity patient-reported experience measures: a systematic review.

Objective: Valid and reliable maternity patient-reported experience measures are critical to understanding women's experiences of care. They can support clinical practice, health service and system performance measurement, and research. The aim of this review is to identify and critically appraise the risk of bias, woman-centricity (content validity), and psychometric properties of maternity patient-reported experience measures published in the scientific literature.

Cost-effectiveness of public caseload midwifery compared to standard care in an Australian setting: a pragmatic analysis to inform service delivery.

Background: Decision-makers need quantifiable data on costs and outcomes to determine the optimal mix of antenatal models of care to offer. This study aimed to examine the cost utility of a publicly funded Midwifery Group Practice (MGP) caseload model of care compared to other models of care and demonstrate the feasibility of conducting such an analysis to inform service decision-making.

Objective: To provide a methodological framework to determine the value of public midwifery in different settings.

Core Outcome Sets Relevant to Maternity Service Users: A Scoping Review.

Introduction: Variation in outcomes reported in maternity-related clinical trials and practice stifles data synthesis and contributes to ineffective or harmful treatments and interventions. Variation can be addressed using core outcome sets (COSs), minimum agreed sets of outcomes that should be measured and reported in all clinical trials in a specific area of health or health care. This scoping review identified studies that developed maternity-related COSs; evaluated the extent, scope, quality, and consistency of outcomes across similar COSs; and identified current gaps in evidence.

Single Item Measure of Social Supports: Evaluation of construct validity during pregnancy.

Background: Lack of social support during pregnancy is associated with psychosocial vulnerability. The Single Item Measure of Social Supports (SIMSS) is included in a core outcome set to facilitate case-adjustment based on social support. Validity of the SIMSS has not been evaluated in childbearing women.

Comparison of screening accuracy of the Patient Health Questionnaire-2 using two case-identification methods during pregnancy and postpartum.

Background: Variation exists regarding perinatal depression screening. A two-step screening method has been recommended. According to a maternity-focused core outcome set developed by the International Consortium for Health Outcomes Measurement, women who score 3 or more on the PHQ-2 then complete the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS).

Benchmarking outcomes in maternity care: Peripartum incontinence - a framework for standardised reporting.

Objective: To evaluate a framework to facilitate standardised reporting of perinatal incontinence.

Design: An exploratory, prospective, observational cohort study.

Setting: One Australian tertiary maternity referral centre.

Measuring physical and mental health during pregnancy and postpartum in an Australian childbearing population - validation of the PROMIS Global Short Form.

Background: Health related quality of life is a critical concept during the perinatal period but remains under-researched. The International Consortium for Health Outcomes Measurement have included the Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS®) Global Short Form (GSF) in their core outcome set for pregnancy and childbirth to measure health related quality of life. The PROMIS GSF has not been fully evaluated as a valid and reliable instrument in this population.

Perinatal incontinence: Psychometric evaluation of the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Urinary Incontinence Short Form and Wexner Scale.

Aim: The International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Urinary Incontinence Short Form (ICIQ-UI SF) and the Wexner Scale have been included in the International Consortium for Health Outcomes Measurement core outcome set during pregnancy and childbirth, to measure urinary and anal incontinence. The reliability and validity of these instruments have not been fully evaluated in maternity populations. The aim of this study was to conduct a psychometric evaluation of the ICIQ-UI SF and Wexner Scale.

Improving psychoeducation for women fearful of childbirth: Evaluation of a research translation project.

Background: Psychoeducation counselling delivered by midwives has been demonstrated to reduce maternal fear and improve women's confidence for birth. Translating the evidence in practice presents challenges. A systematic approach to the implementation of evidence and evaluation of this process can improve knowledge translation.

Pregnancy care and birth outcomes for women with moderate to super-extreme obesity.

Purpose: To describe the health service utilisation and birth outcomes of pregnant women with moderate to super-extreme obesity.

Background: Maternal obesity is increasingly recognised as a key risk factor for adverse outcomes for both women and their babies. Little is known about the service utilisation and perinatal outcomes of women with obesity beyond a body mass index of 40.

Research priorities of midwives: a Delphi study.

The aim of this study was to identify the research priorities of midwives at Gold Coast Hospital (GCH), South East Queensland, Australia. It was also hoped that the study would help foster a culture of inquiry and reflection. Establishing and maintaining a research culture is essential to the provision of high quality maternity services.

Level of burnout in a small population of Australian midwives.

Unlabelled: The aim of the study was to describe the level of burnout in midwives working at a maternity unit in South East Queensland, Australia.

Method: A self-administered questionnaire was distributed to all registered midwives (N=110) working at the study site during November 2011. The questionnaire included a demographic survey and the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory.