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Presentations for decreased fetal movements comprise a significant proportion of acute antenatal assessments. Decreased fetal movements are associated with increased likelihood of adverse pregnancy outcomes including stillbirth. Consensus-based guidelines recommend pregnant women routinely receive information about fetal movements, but practice is inconsistent, and the information shared is frequently not evidence-based. There are also knowledge gaps about the assessment and management of fetal movement concerns. Women have indicated that they would like more accurate information about what to expect regarding fetal movements. Historically, fetal movement information has focussed on movement counts. This is problematic, as the number of fetal movements perceived varies widely between pregnant women, and no set number of movements has been established as a reliable indicator of fetal wellbeing. Of late, maternity care providers have also advised women to observe their baby's movement pattern, and promptly present if they notice a change. However, normal fetal movement patterns are rarely defined. Recently, a body of research has emerged relating to maternal perception of fetal movement features such as strength, presence of hiccups, and diurnal pattern as indicators of fetal wellbeing in addition to frequency. Sharing comprehensive and gestation-appropriate information about fetal movements may be more satisfying for women, empowering women to identify for themselves when their baby is doing well, and importantly when additional assessment is needed. We propose a conversational approach to fetal movement information sharing, focusing on fetal movement strength, frequency, circadian pattern, and changes with normal fetal development, tailored to the individual. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID-19 pandemic hindered access to routine healthcare globally, prompting concerns about possible increases in pregnancy loss and perinatal death. PUDDLES is an international collaboration exploring the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on parents who experience pregnancy loss and perinatal death in seven countries, including Aotearoa New Zealand. To explore parents' experiences of access to healthcare services and support following baby loss during the COVID-19 pandemic in Aotearoa New Zealand. We conducted in-depth, semi-structured interviews with 26 bereaved parents, including 20 birthing mothers, and six non-birthing parents (one mother and five fathers). Types of loss included 15 stillbirths, four late miscarriages, and one neonatal death. Participant ethnicities were broadly representative of Aotearoa New Zealand's multi-ethnic society. Data were analysed using Template Analysis. Analysis revealed five themes relating to pandemic impact on bereaved parent's experiences. These were: 'Distanced and Impersonal care'; 'Navigating Hospital Rules'; Exclusion of Non-birthing Parents; 'Hindered Access to Social Support'; and 'Continuity of Relational Care'. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated isolation of bereaved parents through perceived impersonal care by healthcare professionals and restrictions on movement hindered access to social and cultural support. Compassionate bending of the rules by healthcare professionals and community postnatal visits by continuity of care midwives following the bereavement appeared to be mitigating factors. Social isolation is an added challenge for parents experiencing baby loss during a pandemic, which may be mitigated by flexible and compassionate care from healthcare professionals, especially continuity of care midwives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diabetes in pregnancy is diagnosed in 6% of pregnancies annually in Aotearoa-New Zealand, disproportionately affecting multi-ethnic, low socio-economic women. Little is known about the care experience of this population within the model of midwifery continuity-of-care, including views of telehealth care. Increase understanding of the experience of diabetes in pregnancy care, including telehealth, among multi-ethnic, low socio-economic women receiving midwifery continuity-of-care. Qualitative interview study with primarily indigenous and migrant women who had diabetes in pregnancy and gave birth 6–18 months previously. Interviewers were matched with participants by ethnicity. Transcripts were analysed using Framework analysis. Participants were 19 women (5 Māori, 5 Pacific Peoples, 5 Asian, 4 European). Data analysis revealed three key themes: 1) 'shock, shame, and adjustment' to the diagnosis 2) 'learning to manage diabetes in pregnancy' and 3) 'preparation for birth and beyond' to the postpartum period. Receiving the diagnosis of diabetes in pregnancy was a shock. Managing diabetes during pregnancy was particularly challenging for indigenous and migrant women, who wished for better access to culturally appropriate dietary and lifestyle information. Women appreciated having options of telehealth and face-to-face consultations. Preparation for birth and postpartum diabetes follow-up were areas requiring significant improvement. Challenges were mitigated through care from a consistent diabetes specialist midwife and community-based midwifery continuity-of-care. Midwives were the backbone of diabetes in pregnancy care for this multi-ethnic, low socio-economic population. Care could be improved with more culturally appropriate diet and lifestyle information, better birth preparation, and expanded postpartum diabetes support. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prioritisation of stillbirth research in high-income countries is required to address preventable stillbirth. However, concern is raised by ethics committees, maternity providers and families, when pregnant and bereaved women are approached to participate. Our aim was to 1) assess factors influencing recruitment in a multicentre case-control stillbirth study and 2) gain insight into how women felt about their participation. Eligible women were contacted through maternity providers from seven New Zealand health regions in 2011-2015. Cases had a recent singleton non-anomalous late stillbirth (≥28 weeks' gestation). Controls were randomly selected and matched for region and gestation. Participants were interviewed by a research midwife and given a feedback form asking their views about participation. Feedback was evaluated using thematic analysis. 169 (66.5%) of 254 eligible cases and 569 (62.2%) of 915 eligible controls were recruited. Non-participants consisted of 263 (22.5% of eligible) women who declined, 108 (9.2% of eligible) uncontactable women, and 60 (5.1% of eligible) women declined by the maternity provider, with no significant differences between the proportion of non-participating cases and controls in each of these three categories. The majority (63.2%) of women did not provide a specific reason for non-participation. Written feedback was provided by 111 participants (cases 15.3%, controls 14.9%) and all described their involvement positively. Feedback themes identified were 'motivation to participate,' 'ease of participation,' and 'post-participation positivity.' Identification of recruitment barriers and our reassuring participant feedback may assist women's participation in future research and support progress towards stillbirth prevention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Second-degree tears are the most common form of perineal trauma occurring after vaginal birth managed by New Zealand midwives, although little is known about midwives' perineal practice. Aim The aim of this study was to identify how midwives managed the last second-degree perineal tear they treated and the level to which their practice reflects National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidelines. Methods An (anonymous) online survey was conducted over a six-week period in 2013. New Zealand midwives who self-identified as currently practising perineal management and could recall management of the last second-degree tear they treated were included in the analysis. Findings Of those invited, 645 (57.1% self-employed, 42.9% employed) were eligible and completed surveys. Self-employed midwives reported greater confidence (88.0% vs 74.4%, p < 0.001) and more recent experience (85.1% vs 57.4%, p < 0.001) with perineal repair than employed midwives. Midwives who left the last second-degree tear unsutured (7.3%) were more likely to report low confidence (48.9% vs 15.4%, p < 0.001) and less recent experience with repair (53.2% vs 24.7%, p < 0.001), and were less likely to report a digital-rectal examination (10.6% vs 49.0%, p < 0.001), compared to midwives who sutured. Care consistent with evidence-based guidelines (performing a digital-rectal examination, 59.4% vs 49.3% p = 0.005; optimal suturing techniques, 62.2% vs 48.7%, p = 0.001) was associated with recent perineal education. Conclusions Midwives' management of the last second-degree perineal tear is variable and influenced by factors including: employment status, experience, confidence, and perineal education. There is potential for improvement in midwives' management through increased uptake of evidence-based guidelines and through ongoing education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]