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Little is published on cytomegalovirus (CMV) serological screening at the first antenatal visit or the contemporary CMV seroprevalence rates among the Australian pregnant population. We performed a retrospective analysis of public hospital births in a major tertiary centre (n = 840) over a two month period. We found that 13.6% (95% confidence interval (CI) 11.4–16.1%) of women had been screened for CMV at their first antenatal visit with their general practitioner. Of these, 43.0% (95% CI 34.3–52.1%) were CMV seronegative and therefore susceptible to primary infection. Seronegative women were also more likely to have been born in an economically developed country, to live in a socio‐economically advantaged postcode and to be nulliparous. The information from this study may help guide future studies of congenital CMV risk reduction strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Surveys have shown that women are highly satisfied with their maternity care. Their satisfaction has been associated with various demographic, personal, and care factors. Isolating the factors that most matter to women about their care can guide quality improvement efforts. This study aimed to identify the most significant factors associated with high ratings of care by women in the three maternity periods (antenatal, birth, and postnatal). Methods A survey was sent to 2,048 women who gave birth at seven public hospitals in New South Wales, Australia, exploring their expectations of, and experiences with maternity care. Women's overall ratings of care for the antenatal, birth, and postnatal periods were analyzed, and a number of maternal characteristics and care factors examined as potential predictors of 'Very good' ratings of care. Results Among 886 women with a completed survey, 65 percent assigned a 'Very good' rating for antenatal care, 74 percent for birth care, 58 percent for postnatal care, and 44 percent for all three periods. One factor was strongly associated with care ratings in all three maternity periods: women who were 'always or almost always' treated with kindness and understanding were 1.8-2.8 times more likely to rate their antenatal, birth, and postnatal care as 'Very good.' A limited number of other factors were significantly associated with high care ratings for one or two of the maternity periods. Conclusions Women's perceptions about the quality of their interpersonal interactions with health caregivers have a significant bearing on women's views about their maternity care journey. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Pregnant women have been identified as high users of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). However, no research to date has provided a detailed analysis of the prevalence and determinants of CAM consumption amongst pregnant women. Aim To examine the prevalence and determinants of CAM use by pregnant women, utilising a national representative sample. Methods The study sample was obtained via the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health. This paper is based on a sub-study of 1,835 pregnant women, administered in 2010. The women answered questions about CAM use, demographics, pregnancy-related health concerns and health service utilisation. Results Complementary and alternative medicine use was found to be high with 48.1% ( n = 623) of pregnant women consulting a CAM practitioner and 52.0% ( n = 842) of women using CAM products (excluding vitamins and minerals) during pregnancy. CAM practitioner visits were more likely for selected pregnancy-related health concerns, namely back pain or back ache, neck pain and labour preparation. Women were less likely to consult a CAM practitioner if they suffered with headaches/migraines. Employment was also found to be predictive of pregnant women's visits to a CAM practitioner. Significant health history and demographic predictors of CAM product use were tiredness and fatigue, embarking on preparation for labour and having a university education. Conclusion Most pregnant women are utilising CAM products and/or services as part of their maternity care and obstetricians, general practitioners and midwives need to enquire with women in their care about possible CAM use to help promote safe, effective coordinated maternity care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]