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Introduction Premature births have a significantly increased risk of developing cerebral palsy. This clinical picture involves great restrictions and impairments in the lives of the children and their families. Its prevention is therefore of great importance. One method of neuroprotection to reduce the rate of infantile cerebral palsy is the antenatal administration of magnesium sulfate to the mother. The aim of this paper is to present the current state of research of existing reviews and meta-analyses on the topic and to review the evidence for this intervention. Material and Methods A literature search was conducted within the framework of an umbrella review in the electronic database PubMed in February 2022 to identify all relevant publications on the topic. The search was structured using the PRISMA statement. The important methodological characteristics and the results of the studies were then extracted. In addition, a quality assessment of the studies was performed using the AMSTAR score. Results Two systematic reviews with meta-analysis, one systematic review, and one individual participant data meta-analysis were included in this study. The total number of subjects was n = 6178. The publications conclude that the antenatal administration of magnesium sulfate to the mother significantly reduces the risk of cerebral palsy in preterm infants. Due to the high quality of 3 of the 4 studies, a high level of evidence can be assumed. Conclusion The evidence for antenatal magnesium sulfate administration for the prophylaxis of cerebral palsy in preterm infants is high. However, further research is needed to determine which doses of magnesium and up to which gestational age the administration is useful.

Smartphones' development has allowed continuous access to information about the perinatal period on digital media. Knowing about immigrant women's experience on digital media may help health and social care professionals to fine-tune their care.Our primary aim is to analyse how immigrant women experience information about the perinatal period on digital media. Our secondary aim is to discuss how health and social care professionals perceive the experiences of these women.A qualitative study conducted in Switzerland encompassing semi-directed interviews with immigrant women (n = 20), health and social care professionals (n = 30) and interpreters (n = 12) completed with ethnographic observations and interviews.Immigrant women form a diverse social group. They consequently use an array of social media to find information about the perinatal period depending on their linguistic and digital skills. Reflexively, they expect information found online to be of unequal quality and value information provided by professionals. They adapt their practices to their experience and may avoid media that negatively affects them. Their experience with digital media reflects the overall perinatal experience, providing clues for carers. Professionals worry about the difficult situations some immigrant women live in and stress that digital portals form barriers to services. Professionals may overlook immigrant women's use of digital media and their need for guidance.Immigrant women use digital media to find information about the perinatal period to prepare for birth and the post-partum. They rely on unequal capabilities to do so and need translated information and holistic woman-centred support.

To manage the COVID-19 pandemic, public health restrictions and a rapid pivot to telehealth occurred. Peripartum services were significantly affected by a strained infrastructure. Decreased face to face access to health services and support affected maternal experiences and confidence internationally, yet little was reported with the Australian and Aotearoa New Zealand context.To explore the early parenting and infant feeding experiences of new mothers from Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand in the context of a pandemic.An interpretive qualitative approach and thematic analysis obtained an in-depth understanding of the experiences of 27 mothers who gave birth during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.Australian and Aotearoa New Zealand women reported similar experiences, which varied contextually. Restrictions and requirements impacted favourably and unfavourably. Many women found the peace and space of social distancing an unexpected benefit and were proud of their achievements, whilst others shared feelings of isolation and distress. Some women felt they instinctively did what they needed to do. Experiences correlated with differing levels of self-efficacy.While many women relished the freedom from social obligations when faced with feeding challenges, there was general dissatisfaction with the level of support available. Care was fragmented, and health care needs were unmet, impacting feeding and parenting decisions and mental health.Access to timely and appropriate professional support is an important factor in establishing breastfeeding and developing parenting confidence, particularly in the context of a pandemic and should be a health policy priority.

There is minimal evidence regarding the role or impact of birth plans from the perspective of women experiencing scheduled caesarean birth.Quality maternity care requires respect for women's preferences. Evidence suggests birth plans enable communication of women's preferences and may enhance agency when vaginal birth is intended, however there is limited evidence of how this translates in the perioperative environment where caesarean birth is the intended outcome.Explore the experiences and perspectives of women who had utilised a scheduled caesarean birth plan at an Australian tertiary maternity hospital.A cross-sectional design was used; 294 participants completed the survey within two weeks post-birth. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse quantitative data, qualitative responses were analysed using content analysis.Over half of the women requested lowering of the surgical-screen at birth, most requested immediate skin-to-skin with their babies; around two-thirds of these preferences were met. Use of a birth plan for scheduled caesarean section supported women's ability to communicate their desires and choices, enhancing agency and reinforcing the significance of the caesarean birth experience. Qualitative data revealed two main categories: Perceptions and experiences; and Recommendations for improvement, with corresponding sub-categories.Findings provide unique opportunities to consider the provision of woman-centred care within the highly technocratic perioperative environment.All women, regardless of birth mode, have a right to respectful maternity care that prioritises their wishes and agency. This study provides evidence for the positive utility of birth plans in caesarean birth, local adaptation is encouraged.

Artikel in mehreren Sprachen: Deutsch und Englisch Aim: This revised guideline was coordinated by the German Society for Gynecology and Obstetrics (DGGG), the Austrian Society for Gynecology and Obstetrics (OEGGG) and the Swiss Society for Gynecology and Obstetrics (SGGG). It aims to improve the prediction, prevention, and management of preterm birth, based on evidence from the current literature, the experience of members of the guidelines commission, and the viewpoint of self-help organizations. Methods: The members of the contributing professional societies and organizations developed recommendations and statements based on international literature. The recommendations and statements were presented and adopted using a formal process (structured consensus conferences with neutral moderation, written Delphi vote). Recommendations: Part 1 of this short version of the guideline presents statements and recommendations on the epidemiology, etiology, prediction, and primary and secondary prevention of preterm birth. Ziel: Überarbeitete Leitlinie der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Gynäkologie und Geburtshilfe (DGGG), der Österreichischen Gesellschaft für Gynäkologie und Geburtshilfe (OEGGG) und der Schweizerischen Gesellschaft für Gynäkologie und Geburtshilfe (SGGG). Ziel der Leitlinie ist es, die Prädiktion, die Prävention und das Management der Frühgeburt anhand der aktuellen Literatur, der Erfahrung der Mitglieder der Leitlinienkommission einschließlich der Sicht der Selbsthilfe evidenzbasiert zu verbessern. Methoden: Anhand der internationalen Literatur entwickelten die Mitglieder der beteiligten Fachgesellschaften und Organisationen zahlreiche Empfehlungen und Statements. Diese wurden in einem formalen Prozess (strukturierte Konsensuskonferenzen mit neutraler Moderation, schriftliche Delphi-Abstimmung) verabschiedet. Empfehlungen: Der Teil 1 dieser Kurzversion der Leitlinie zeigt Statements und Empfehlungen zur Epidemiologie, Ätiologie, der Prädiktion sowie der primären und sekundären Prävention der Frühgeburt.

INTRODUCTION: If a family is discharged from a hospital earlier after birth, close supervision by a skilled midwife is essential. The aim was to describe mothers' overall experience receiving postnatal care in a Swedish home-based midwifery care model. METHODS: A descriptive qualitative study was conducted. Mothers meeting the inclusion criteria for a new home-based postnatal care model at a hospital in Stockholm, Sweden, were included. In total, 24 healthy mothers participated in a semi-structured telephone interview, averaging 58 minutes. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis, according to Braun and Clarke. RESULTS: The main theme explored, `The home-based postnatal care model facilitated a smooth succession into motherhood', is explained by the themes: 1) Mothers felt `not left adrift' when cared for by the home-based postnatal midwives; 2) Professional midwives with authority guided the way into motherhood; and 3) The home, a safe and secure space for new mothers. CONCLUSIONS: Mothers valued the well-structured home-based postnatal midwifery care. Important for mothers was to receive health checks, adequate information, and that midwives have a kind and individual approach to the families. Midwives play an important role for mothers in the early days after the birth of their baby.

This article discusses the historiography of puerperal psychosis and how it mirrors the historiography of the development of psychiatry as a discipline. The article defines the meaning of the term ‘puerperal psychosis’ and explores the way that this condition has been dealt with in texts from the pre-modern era. It developed in the 19th century when numerous stakeholders lay claim to being the appropriate professional for management of women affected by this condition. Its decline as a term came about by the end of the century, as the result of Krapelinian nosology, although it subsequently rose in importance towards the end of the 20th century. It can be likened to a Cinderella sub-specialty in psychiatry.

Too many children in the North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care System do not have the best start in life, and maternity care offers an early opportunity to initiate positive change. In 2018, a new model of regional public health leadership was developed to complement the developing local maternity system with a focus on prevention and reducing health inequalities. With the support of local maternity system partners, the programme set out to improve the quality of preventative intervention available to women and their families in the perinatal period. The programme focused on tobacco, alcohol, breastfeeding, reproductive health, perinatal mental health, healthy weight, immunisations and making every contact count. Through audit and co-production of regional pathways, it increased awareness, enabled greater consistency of service provision and supported quality improvement. As part of a large, evolving health and care system, the programme worked through significant challenges, such as complex leadership and governance models, prioritisation and ensuring that resources supported practice development across all local maternity services in the North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care System. Greater progress was made in areas such as reducing maternal smoking and increasing rates of breastfeeding, reflecting the critical role of local leadership. There is clear evidence of the programme's value to the local system. Ongoing evaluation and work to embed a sustainable model of delivery remain important.

Background/Aims Pregnant women are at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19 than non-pregnant women. Research investigating risk factors and clinical manifestations of COVID-19 in pregnant women is limited in Indonesia. Therefore, this study's aim was to investigate these clinical issues. Methods For this observational cross-sectional study, data were collected from Merah Putih Government Hospital. A total of 106 medical records were analysed using descriptive statistics and Pearson's Chi-squared test, to examine differences in risk factors or clinical manifestations in pregnant women with or without COVID-19. Results There were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of risk factors such as diabetes, bronchial asthma and cardiovascular disease. There were significant differences between the groups for clinical manifestations of fever, cough, dyspnea, ageusia, rapid antigen test and lymphocytopenia. Conclusions Coordinated care strategies should be initiated, particularly in the assessment of vulnerable pregnant women. Future pandemic preparedness studies should be considered to improve and protect maternal and child health in Indonesia.

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.

Background/Aims The prevalence of perinatal mental health issues is significantly higher among South Asian women in the UK. However, little attention has been given to examine the views and opinions of sub-groups of South Asians in the UK. Although the prevalence of perinatal mental health issues is much higher in Sri Lanka, so far, no studies have focused on Sri Lankan women in the UK. This study's aim was to examine the views and opinions of Sri Lankan women living in the UK about perinatal mental health. Methods A convergent mixed-method online survey was administered in English and Sinhalese. A total of 34 Sri Lankan women living in the UK, from their baby's conception to 24 months postpartum, were recruited. Qualitative responses were interpreted using thematic analysis, supported by quantitative data. Results The participants reported that they maintained good perinatal mental health with the support of their partner and family. Midwives were most involved in inquiring about and providing information on perinatal mental health. Social stigma was a dominant barrier to accessing support. Conclusions Midwives need to ensure that perinatal mental health is discussed sensitively with Sri Lankan women. Future quantitative research needs to examine if existing tools are culturally sensitive and qualitative research should include women's partners and families to explore how best to care for this population.

With the widespread prevalence of mental health problems, digital platforms for mental healthcare are increasingly commonly used. This article explores what this means for services.

Takashi Takeda, Kana Yoshimi, Sayaka Kai, Fumi Inoue Division of Women’s Health, Research Institute of Traditional Asian Medicine, Kindai University, Osaka-Sayama, Osaka, 589-8511, JapanCorrespondence: Takashi Takeda, Division of Women’s Health, Research Institute of Traditional Asian Medicine, Kindai University, 377-2 Ohno-Higashi, Osaka-Sayama, Osaka, 589-8511, Japan, Tel +81-72-366-0221 (Ext. 3393), Fax +81-72-366-6661, Email take@med.kindai.ac.jpPurpose: Adolescence is a period of transition from childhood to adulthood where people are vulnerable to stress. The COVID-19 pandemic continues to cause sustained stress in the population. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, social isolation and loneliness have increased. Loneliness is associated with increased stress, psychological distress, and a higher risk of mental illnesses, such as depression. This study examined the association between loneliness, premenstrual symptoms, and other factors in the era of the COVID-19 pandemic among adolescent females in Japan.Patients and Methods: A school-based cross-sectional survey of 1450 adolescent female students in Japan was conducted in mid-December of 2021. Specifically, paper-based questionnaires were distributed in class, and the responses were collected. The Premenstrual Symptoms Questionnaire (PSQ), 6-item Kessler Psychological Distress Scale, 3-item Revised UCLA Loneliness Scale (R-UCLA), and Fear of COVID-19 Scale were used as measurement tools. The prevalence of loneliness was defined as a total R-UCLA score ≥ 6.Results: The prevalence of loneliness was 29.0%. The prevalence of serious psychological distress was also high (8.2%), especially in the lonely group (16.0%). Multivariable regression analysis identified the following factors associated with loneliness: second year (odds ratio [OR] 1.53; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.09– 2.14), longer internet use (OR, 1.11; 95% CI, 1.02– 1.20), total PSQ score (OR 1.08; 95% CI 1.06– 1.11), and psychological distress (OR 1.05; 95% CI 1.01– 1.08).Conclusion: Adolescent females in Japan showed a high prevalence of loneliness. School year (2nd year), longer periods of internet use, premenstrual symptom severity, and psychological distress were independently associated with loneliness. For clinicians and school health professionals, special concern should be given to the psychological health of adolescent females during the COVID-19 pandemic.Keywords: adolescent female, digital media, mental health, psychological distress, stress