Nepal Family Cohort study: a study protocol.

Introduction: The Nepal Family Cohort study uses a life course epidemiological approach to collect comprehensive data on children's and their parents' environmental, behavioural and metabolic risk factors. These factors can affect the overall development of children to adulthood and the onset of specific diseases. Among the many risk factors, exposure to air pollution and lifestyle factors during childhood may impact lung development and function, leading to the early onset of respiratory diseases.

Women's suggestions on how to improve the quality of maternal and newborn care: A qualitative analysis from the IMAgiNE EURO survey in Italy during the two years of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Introduction: Collecting women's views and suggestions for improving quality of maternal-newborn care (QMNC) is a crucial aspect of maternity care evaluation often overlooked in Italy and globally. Childbearing women experienced numerous challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic including the rapid and significant reorganization of maternity services and care. Their perspective on what to prioritize for QMNC improvement is hence pivotal.

A Structural Equation Modelling Approach to Examine the Mediating Effect of Stress on Diet in Culturally Diverse Women of Childbearing Age.

: Stress has been shown to be associated with poor nutrition among young women. However, studies around the topic have major limitations in their methodologies and the role of confounding factors within this association remains unclear in the literature. : To investigate the associations between stress and dietary quality/patterns in a culturally diverse population of childbearing-aged women.

Prenatal maternal mental health and resilience in the United Kingdom during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic: a cross- national comparison.

Introduction: Prenatal mental health problems are associated with morbidity for the pregnant person, and their infants are at long-term risk for poor health outcomes. We aim to explore how the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic affected the mental health of pregnant people in the United Kingdom (UK), and to further identify resilience factors which may have contributed to varying mental health outcomes. We also aim to examine the quality of antenatal care provided during the pandemic in the UK and to identify potential inadequacies to enhance preparedness for future events.

Practice variation in induction of labor: A critical document analysis on the contribution of regional protocols.

Rationale: Despite national guidelines with recommendations on induction of labor (IOL), large variation in the use of this intervention exists between regions in the Netherlands. Guidelines are translated into protocols, which give a contextual description of medical practice provided in a given region. Possibly, protocols developed by regional multidisciplinary maternity care networks (MCNs) contribute to the regional variation in IOL.

Predicting collaborative practice between midwives and obstetricians: A regression analysis.

Introduction: Effective collaborative practice between midwives and obstetricians improves patient safety and obstetrical outcomes, but its implementation remains challenging. Therefore, its determinants need to be better understood. This study examined factors impacting collaborative practice (CP) between these professional groups.

Impact of COVID-19 mitigation measures on perinatal outcomes in the Netherlands.

Objective: Investigate the acute impact of COVID-19 mitigation measures implemented in March 2020 on a comprehensive range of perinatal outcomes.

Study Design: National registry-based quasi-experimental study.

Methods: We obtained data from the Dutch Perinatal Registry (2010-2020) which was linked to multiple population registries containing sociodemographic variables.

Validation of the Birth Beliefs Scale for maternity care professionals in The Netherlands.

Objectives: To validate the Birth Beliefs Scale (BBS) for maternity care professionals by testing: (1) content validity; (2) internal reliability; (3) known-group discriminant validity; and examine potential relationships between regions and birth beliefs.

Methods: First, content validity was tested. Before distribution of the questionnaire among maternity care professionals of six maternity care networks (MCNs), adjustments in the statements were made whenever content validity was too low.

Working in smaller teams in community midwifery practices to foster continuity of carer: Midwives' experiences - A qualitative study in the Netherlands.

Background: Midwife-led continuity of carer (MLCC) improves health outcomes and increases pregnant women's satisfaction. Working in smaller teams in community midwifery practices is one of the ways to promote continuity of carer.

Aim: To gain insight into the experiences of Dutch community midwives regarding working in smaller teams, by identifying motivators and barriers.

How to promote midwives' recognition and professional autonomy? A document analysis study.

Objective: To identify challenges associated with midwives' professional autonomy in Belgium and develop recommendations to promote midwives' recognition and professional autonomy.

Design: Through a document analysis study we identified challenges, categorized them into themes and linked them with Greenwood's sociological criteria for a profession. This involved an in-depth synthesis of findings from our published studies to comprehensively examine the challenges to optimizing midwifery autonomy and to develop corresponding recommendations.

The extent of implementation and perceptions of maternity and social care professionals about two interprofessional programs for care for pregnant women: a mixed methods study.

Background: In 2018, the Dutch government initiated the Solid Start program to provide each child with the best start in life. Key program elements are a biopsychosocial perspective on pregnancy and children's development and stimulating local collaborations between social and health domains, with a specific focus on (future) families in vulnerable situations. Two programs for interprofessional collaboration between maternity and social care professionals to optimize care for pregnant women in vulnerable situations were developed and implemented, in Groningen in 2017 and in South Limburg in 2021.

Integrated maternity care: A concept analysis.

Introduction: Integrated maternity care is strongly promoted in the Netherlands. However, the term 'integrated' and its practical meaning is understood differently by professionals and policy makers. This lack of clarity is also visible in other countries and hinders implementation.

Effect of COVID-19 lockdown on maternity care and maternal outcome in the Netherlands: a national quasi-experimental study.

Objectives: The COVID-19 pandemic and associated lockdowns disrupted health care worldwide. High-income countries observed a decrease in preterm births during lockdowns, but maternal pregnancy-related outcomes were also likely affected. This study investigates the effect of the first COVID-19 lockdown (March-June 2020) on provision of maternity care and maternal pregnancy-related outcomes in the Netherlands.

Exploring psychosocial vulnerability among Dutch pregnant women: a register study.

In the Netherlands adverse perinatal outcomes are also associated with non-medical factors which vary across geographical locations. This study analyses the presence of non-medical vulnerabilities in pregnant women in two regions with high numbers of psychosocial adversity using the same definition for vulnerability in both regions. A register study was performed in 2 regions.

The contribution of birth plans to shared decision-making from the perspectives of women, their partners and their healthcare providers.

Background: The birth plan is a document expressing a pregnant woman's childbirth preferences, enabling communication of expectations and facilitating discussions among women, their partners, and healthcare providers for key birthing decisions. There has been limited research on the role of birth plans in shared decision-making (SDM). Our study aims to explore how the use of birth plans can contribute to SDM from women's, partners, and healthcare providers' perspectives.

Exploring the feasibility of conducting a randomised controlled trial of group-based pregnancy care and education: a pilot randomised controlled trial in Melbourne, Australia.

Background: In group-based pregnancy models, antenatal care and childbirth/parenting education are provided in groups of eight to 10 women, usually with two midwives, and six to eight sessions. Current evidence is inconclusive regarding potential benefit or harm. We aimed to explore the feasibility of implementing an adequately powered randomised controlled trial (RCT).

#DryByChristmas: A patient and public involvement study on women's engagement with humorous pelvic floor muscle training digital nudges on social media.

Introduction: Patient and public involvement (PPI) is essential for women's health research. Little is known about how women engage with humorous social media and behavioural health messaging targeting pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT). This PPI aimed to understand how women engage with a humorous social media campaign encouraging PFMT.

Need for evidence synthesis for quality control of healthcare decision-making.

Systematic reviews that are out-of-date delay policymaking, create controversy, and can erode trust in research. To avoid this issue, it is preferable to keep summaries of the study evidence. Living evidence is a synthesis approach that provides up-to-date rigorous research evidence summaries to decision-makers.

The exploration of professional midwifery autonomy: Understanding and experiences of final-year midwifery students.

Background: The concept of professional midwifery autonomy holds great significance in midwifery education. Notably, clinical placements play a crucial role in introducing students to its concept. However, the understanding and experiences of students regarding midwifery autonomy are relatively unknown.