The importance of breastfeeding as a public health priority has increased as new research reinforces the health benefits to both mother and nursling, even continuing years after weaning. However, many women do not nurse as long as they intend. Birth practices such as labor medications and the routine separation of mother and baby are two of the several intrapartum influences on breastfeeding ou...

Pregnant women experience extensive physiologic and structural changes during pregnancy that affect their daily functioning. The addition of osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) to the standard care of pregnant women has been hypothesized to enhance homeostasis and improve quality of life as the body adapts to these changes. Specifically, it has been postulated that OMT can ease pain in pre...

Trauma affects up to 6% to 7% of all pregnancies, and accounts for up to 46% of maternal death. Adverse consequences such as preterm labor and delivery, abruptio, fetomaternal hemorrhage, and fetal demise may be seen with even apparently minor degrees of injury. Maternal physiologic considerations are reviewed and a protocol for evaluation and management of the injured gravida is presented.

Original Article Objective(s) : Aim of study was to determine effect of epidural analgesia on progress of labour and mode of delivery, to find out its complications in labour and puerperium and to evaluate neonatal out come in terms of apgar score. Method(s) : The present study was conducted in department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Acharya Vinoba Bhave Rural Hospital, Sawangi (Meghe), War...

OBJECTIVE describe the obstetric profile of adolescents at beginning of labor, at delivery, postpartum, and in puerperium. METHOD Cross-sectional descriptive study with 85 pregnant adolescents, selected by convenience, referred by health centers to a public hospital in Mexico City. Risks were evaluated before, during and after delivery and in puerperium, and measured respectively with the "Pr...

OBJECTIVE In this study the changes in attitude of midwives towards their work following completion of the Maternal Care Manual of the Perinatal Education Programme (PEP), were determined. METHOD A prospective, controlled trial was performed in a study, and two control towns in a region where PEP had not previously been used. All midwives caring for pregnant women in the three towns were incl...

Through fifteen in-depth case studies of primipara, Natal Indian women's experiences of childbirth have been described. Common problems were identified, including lack of a family support person throughout labour, lithotomy position for delivery, episiotomies and their sequelae, breast-feeding difficulties and lack of professional support in the early puerperium at home. Preparation for common ...