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Background/Aims: Ideological perceptions of normal, physiological birth can be potentially dangerous. Clinicians highlighted to the Health and Social Care Committee how social media affects this, believing that the 'pressure' of social media contributing to 'a big expectation of normality' among expectant parents. This review's aims were to explore the available literature to support this statement and provide a contemporary insight that incorporates the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: This review was a qualitative meta-synthesis of literature identified in April 2022 using seven subject specific electronic databases: CINAHL Plus, MEDLINE, AMED, APA PsychInfo, APA PyschArt, MIDIRS and The British Nursing Database. Five qualitative primary research papers were critiqued and summarised. Results: The first theme was focused on how social media reshapes and marginalises narratives of birth; the dominant narrative of medicalised birth is reinforced, but the curated narrative around physiological birth can also be problematic. The second theme encompassed how social media alters women's autonomy and agency in decision making about birth by affecting information sharing and their sense of connection. Conclusions: Social media can contribute to an ideological perception of normal birth, creating additional pressures on women. However, a medicalised portrayal of birth, which women conform to, dominates these spaces. Social media both supports, and threatens, women's ability to make informed decisions about childbirth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This series of three articles will explore the fundamentals related to anatomy, physiology and pathophysiology in relation to three important topics: the cardiac system, the respiratory system and the endocrine system. The series is intended to provide an informative and evidence-based summary of each topic for both students and clinicians. This first article explores the maternal cardiovascular system, outlining its anatomy and the key physiological adaptations of pregnancy, and summarising pathophysiological conditions that may occur. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Women who have had a caesarean birth face a decision about how to deliver their baby in a subsequent pregnancy. This paper describes a qualitative study exploring the decision making experience of such women. Eleven pregnant women who had had a caesarean section in their previous pregnancy took part in semi-structured interviews one to three days after they had made a choice about mode of delivery. A thematic analysis of the transcripts revealed that most women felt they had made a choice about delivery method, though the extent of involvement in the decision differed. Making choices about delivery after a previous caesarean birth was influenced by a number of people and other factors and it involved assessment of information from previous experiences and trusted others. Medical information about risk/benefit was considered alongside beliefs about birth and moral concerns about the ñcorrect' choices to make. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increasing numbers of pregnant women are turning to homeopathy and other complementary therapies to help with pregnancy and childbirth. In response to this, a programme was put together to provide safe education and treatment by a multidisciplinary team of professionals. Working collaboratively, a multidisciplinary group of midwives and staff from two departments within a large NHS Trust have set up this innovative new service. This paper describes a pilot scheme to introduce homeopathy and other complementary therapies into mainstream care provision. Pregnant women can attend the new clinic for their routine follow up antenatal checks and at the same time experience a parent education session initially including homeopathy, stress management and relaxation, and also nutrition for mother and baby. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article considers some of the achievements and challenges surrounding global efforts to reduce the high toll of maternal and neonatal deaths and disease. Since its inception in 1987, the Safe Motherhood Initiative has underpinned endeavours to make childbirth safer for women, particularly the poorest and most vulnerable. Reflecting on pertinent historical issues, considering examples of current achievements and speculating on the future, the paper provides insights into the challenges of midwifery practice worldwide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The emergence of viral diseases, such as COVID-19, represents a global public health threat, particularly the high-impact animal viruses that have switched hosts and are able to be transmitted within human populations. Pandemics threaten the general population; however, there are special groups, such as pregnant women and their babies, which may be at a higher risk of, or more severely affected by infection. Pregnancy is considered a unique immunological condition; therefore, current challenges include decisions on preventing and treating infections during pregnancy and the possible implications for the fetus and newborn infant. This integrative review, the first of a two-part series, analyses selected literature on COVID-19 within maternal and newborn care, drawing on key themes relating to the impact on the pregnant woman. The themes discussed are: the nature of the immune system in pregnant and newly birthed mothers, maternal risk, mode and timing of birth, care during pregnancy and childbirth, and the transition to parenthood including the implications for practice for maternal mental wellbeing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Satisfaction with childbirth is associated with a number of factors prior to and during birth, including perceived control during labour, and has implications for postnatal psychological health. Methods: A total of 38 pregnant women recruited prior to 20-weeks gestation completed questionnaires regarding perceptions of control during, and satisfaction with, childbirth, mental health and maternal attachment at two-months postpartum. Birth details and breastfeeding difficulties were obtained from hospital records. Results: Satisfaction with childbirth was associated with perceived control and a physiological birth, and perceived control was associated with a physiological birth and midwife-led continuity of care. At two-months postpartum, satisfaction with childbirth was associated with fewer depressive symptoms, while perceived control was associated with fewer anxiety symptoms. Discussion: It is important for healthcare providers to implement practices that support birthing satisfaction, such as provision of midwife-led continuity of care. Healthcare provision should also provide psychological support to mothers whose birthing experience was unsatisfactory and tailor additional support during early breastfeeding for these women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore women's experiences of giving birth with their husband's support in urban Nepal. The study was conducted in July 2009 at a midwife-led birthing centre in the capital of Nepal. In-depth, semi-structured interviews were conducted among twelve first-time expectant mothers who gave birth with the support of their husband. Each interview was audio-taped. The recorded data was analysed using thematic analysis. Three themes were identified: (1) feeling in control of the labour process, (2) concern for their husband and (3) emotional discomfort. Most of the time, the women, with support from their husband, felt in control of the childbirth process, but they were also periodically in discomfort. Moreover, they were concerned that their husband had to witness their labour pain. Educational and birth preparation classes for expectant couples would help to reduce women's emotional discomfort and alleviate their concern for their husband. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The needs of women giving birth from prison were highlighted in 1995. A group of antenatal teachers and midwives in London met and decided to offer birth support to women in Holloway prison. Birth Companions has been working with pregnant women and mothers and babies in Holloway for 14 years and has expanded the birth support service to include breastfeeding and working with women post release. The aim of the project is to improve the experience of this vulnerable group of women and babies. Studies show that birth support can improve outcomes for mothers and babies and the feedback from women in Holloway is very encouraging. However, there is a need for more research into the needs and experiences of women and babies who are in prison during the perinatal period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since 1997 women in a consultant-led unit in Inverness have had access to a purpose-designed pool for labour and birth. The number of women using the pool over the last 11 years has steadily increased and midwives have gained more experience and confidence in the use of the pool for labour and birth. This article describes the ongoing evaluation of the pool from September 1997 to December 2008 and identifies how the experience in Inverness varies from other units in the UK. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The amount of pain a woman experiences is influenced by many individual, physical, emotional and environmental factors. Some of these factors can be anticipated and controlled. It is important that, before the birth, a woman is aware of relaxation techniques and of all the forms of pain relief which are available before and during the birth. The midwife has an important role to play in informing the woman of the options available and devising a birth plan to suit the woman's needs. This article focuses on transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), where electrodes paced on the woman's back send out electrical signals, blocking pain and stimulating the production of endorphins. There are no known harmful side effects and studies have shown that it greatly reduces the need for pharmacological analgesia. Women should be made aware of ail methods of pain relief available so they can make an informed choice on what they believe will suit them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BJM is not alone in celebrating its 25th birthday this year. Midwife Jonathan Cliffe describes returning to the hospital in which he was born in 1993 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The author addresses the disadvantages of being dependent on personal fetal monitors. She relates her experience in carrying and giving birth to twins in 2005. She claims that fetal monitors offers mothers an opportunity to bond with their babies. She mentions the website, babycaretechniques.com, which includes narratives of mothers who expressed their joy at being able to listen to their child's heart rate.