Development of the : Validity and reliability of an intrapartal measurement tool for research use in developed nations.

Despite numerous scholarly attempts to understand and improve the health outcomes of childbearing in highly technical, developed countries, a theoretical and methodological deficit persists in regard to capturing a woman and her newborn's intrapartal experience. In an effort to construct a criterion measure and research tool that is not limited to one or two aspects of the labor and delivery experience, the authors created the Labor and Delivery Outcome Scale (LDOS). The LDOS survey was mailed to a nationwide, random sample of 1500 experienced U.

Person-Centered Primary Care and Type 2 Diabetes: Beyond Blood Glucose Control.

With an estimated 9% of persons in the United States diagnosed with diabetes, primary care providers such as midwives and nurse practitioners are increasingly working with persons who have diabetes and are seeking primary care services. This article reviews the current literature with regard to the initial evaluation of individuals who are diagnosed with diabetes, and what is entailed in comprehensive continuing management of care. A person-centered interprofessional approach to care of the person with diabetes is presented.

Examination of the Pharmacology of Oxytocin and Clinical Guidelines for Use in Labor.

The use of exogenous oxytocin to induce or augment labor has increased in recent years. This literature-informed review examines the action of this medication and the potential associated complications, with an evaluation of current professional practice guidelines. A brief history of the use of exogenous oxytocin for labor induction or augmentation is presented.

Closed Claims Analysis of Medical Malpractice Lawsuits Involving Midwives: Lessons Learned Regarding Safe Practices and the Avoidance of Litigation.

Introduction: The risk of litigation remains of concern to midwives, their practice partners, employers, and malpractice insurance providers. Closed claims analysis is a method of examining risk patterns and behaviors in lawsuits, including those involving health care practices. The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate claims brought against midwives, with the intent of developing strategies to decrease the incidence of litigation.

Views of Women's Sexuality and Violence Against Women in Turkey: A Cross-Sectional Investigation Among University Students.

Purpose: This study explored Turkish university students' views of women-related issues--gender roles, sexuality, and violence against women.

Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 605 students--337 females and 268 males--at Ankara University, Turkey. A survey exploring students' views of female sexuality and violence was used.

Overview of latest evidence on uterine fibroids.

Uterine fibroids are the most common type of benign gynecologic mass, and are present in up to 80 percent of women. Research exploring risk factors for fibroids presents conflicting or inconclusive findings. Symptoms for up to 50 percent of women experiencing fibroids include heavy menstrual bleeding, pelvic pressure or pain and gastrointestinal and genitourinary changes.

'The Best Health Care Delivery System in the World'? Women's health and maternity/newborn care trends in Philadelphia, PA, United States-1997-2011: a case report.

Despite being ranked number one globally in terms of health care cost per capita, the United States (US) has ranked as low as 37th in the world in terms of health care system performance. This poor performance for one of the most developed nations in the world has been reflected in the underachieved attempts of the multiple US health care systems at improving maternal and newborn health, according to the goals set in 2000 by the United Nations with Millennium Development Goals (MDG's) 5: Improve Maternal Health, and 4: Reduce Child Mortality. This paper will examine the progress, or lack thereof, over a period of 15 years of the fifth largest urban area in the US - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania - in its delivery of health care to pregnant women and their newborns.

Professional issues related to obstacles to midwifery practice in the Americas: a pilot survey.

Background/objectives: the WHO (2011) estimates that 350,000 newly trained midwives are needed internationally to meet Goal 5-- Improve Maternal Health--of the 8 Millennium Development Goals established by the United Nations in 2000. Recognizing the challenges in accomplishing this goal, it is also imperative to retain trained midwives in the profession. Little to date has been investigated regarding the factors that lead to experienced midwives leaving the profession prematurely, particularly in low resource countries.

Midwives and liability: results from the 2009 nationwide survey of certified nurse-midwives and certified midwives in the United States.

Introduction: In partnership with the American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM), the authors conducted a survey of ACNM members to examine the incidence of lawsuit involvement, the outcomes of the litigation in which they were involved, and coping mechanisms among midwives who had been involved in a lawsuit.

Methods: In the spring of 2009, a nationwide Web-based survey was completed by ACNM members. In addition to using chi-square tests and nonparametric testing in data analysis, a logistic regression model was used to evaluate predictors of lawsuit involvement.

The pain that binds us: midwives' experiences of loss and adverse outcomes around the world.

Although much has been written about helping women and their families cope with loss related to childbearing, little exists in the literature to guide and support the midwives who witness these losses. We conducted qualitative interviews globally with 22 midwives from nations located on six different continents to begin exploring common themes of experiences and coping methods of midwives involved in adverse perinatal outcomes. The concept of critical incident stress (CIS) is presented as a framework for understanding practitioner reactions that occur after adverse outcomes.

The role of litigation in midwifery practice in the United States: results from a nationwide survey of certified nurse-midwives/certified midwives.

Professional liability litigation is playing an increasing role in the practice of women's health care in this country. Although the impact of litigation on obstetricians' practices has been widely documented, data on the effect of litigation on midwifery practice are scant. The authors conducted a nationwide Web-based survey of American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM) members about the experience of being involved in litigation.

Obstetric anesthesia: changes and choices.

This article is a review of analgesics and anesthetics offered to laboring women, including intravenous drugs, epidural and spinal agents, and inhalational anesthetics. An overview of the uses, risks, and benefits is provided for each anesthetic alternative. To provide the most effective care to women in labor, clinicians have a responsibility to have current knowledge of the best evidence for safety and efficacy of these pharmacologic agents and techniques and be able to effectively communicate this information to clients.

Pain in women's health: a multi-faceted approach toward understanding.

Pain has always been a part of women's health experiences, inherent to such physiologic processes as menstrual cramping, labor contractions, and uniquely female illnesses, such as cervical or ovarian cancer. However, the understanding of pain-its nature, its purpose, and its sometimes debatable need for removal-remains elusive. Pain's origins are in the physical realm, but it is manifested through an array of psychological, social, and cultural factors.

Birth in the United States: an overview of trends past and present.

The picture of birth in the United States today is complex and, as the data above indicates, difficult to describe in simplistic terms. Though many women today have come to believe that there are choices surrounding pregnancy and birth, the beliefs and practices of providers, insurers, and hospital administrators play a major role in either influencing those choices or dictating how they will be manifested. On one hand, technological advances have given women greater options with regard to the outcomes of pregnancy and birth.