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The article offers information on the importance of parent-infant attachment and the potential adverse effects of separation in the neonatal intensive care unit (ICU). Topics include the impact of separation on short- and long-term cognitive and emotional development, as well as mental health for both parents and infants.

Objective: Use the Life Course Theory (LCT) to explore the effects of involvement with the justice system on the health of Latina women and their children. Design: A supplementary analysis was conducted using data collected from the original study to answer a new research question. Setting: South Central Texas. Participants: A primary qualitative data set from 12 Latina women involved with the justice system. Methods: We applied LCT principles and used thematic content analysis as such we employed categoric distinction: lifespan development, time and place in individuals' lives, the timing of lives, human agency, and linked lives to analyze participants' narratives. Results: Five themes emerged that aligned with LCT principles: (1) It feels like I'm living in my own prison; (2) What do I have to live for now; (3) It is like double punishment; (4) They made my choices; and (5) People didn't really understand. Participants felt helpless with few options to overcome their prior adversities, which affected their ability to make positive future choices. Conclusions: Findings highlight the potential, long‐term, negative health consequences that may result from incarceration. Considering that justice system involvement can lead to more profound maternal and child health disparities, our findings suggest that greater advocacy from the nursing profession would increase accessibility to equitable and respectful maternity and women's health care services. Key points: Involvement with the justice system can result in negative health consequences for women and their children.Maternal and child health disparities are often more profound after involvement with the justice system.Greater advocacy is needed from the nursing profession to ensure access to equitable and respectful maternity and women's health care services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The potential benefits of perinatal doula support are many; however, doulas are underutilized, which may heighten pregnancy‐related complications. In this scoping review, we assess the influence of perinatal doula support on pregnancy‐related complications and death in the United States. Methods: We searched PubMed, CINAHL, Scopus, and Alt HealthWatch for literature on doula support and its influence on pregnancy‐related complications (maternal fever or infection, postpartum hemorrhage, amniotic fluid embolism, complications from anesthesia, preeclampsia, eclampsia, cardiomyopathy, pulmonary or thrombotic embolism, and cerebrovascular accident). Peer‐reviewed articles written in English and conducted in the United States from 1969 to 2021 were included. Screening at all levels was blinded. We extracted data based on title, author, year, design, population, sample size, methods, limitations, recommendations, and definition of doula support. Results: Following removal of duplicates, review of 3679 article titles and abstracts yielded 42 articles for full‐text review; 3 articles met final inclusion criteria. One included study focused on intrapartum doula support and 2 on doula support that extended throughout the perinatal period. Within the included studies, doula support was associated with decreased rates of intrapartum maternal fever and gestational hypertension; however, it was not associated with decreased rates of gestational diabetes or depression. Discussion: The literature has addressed the benefits of perinatal doula support, but studies with validated tools to examine associations between doula support and pregnancy‐related complications and death are lacking. The studies that addressed intrapartum and continuous doula care included large generalizable samples, from which future research can draw to improve the practice of caring for patients during the perinatal period. Extensive research shows that unfavorable conditions can influence perinatal outcomes across generations. Implementing doula support may offer a potential approach to reduce and help alleviate resulting disparities in perinatal health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on addressing health disparities in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) and emphasizes the importance of implementing Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice (DEIJ) principles. It highlights the need to recognize and eliminate unconscious bias, racism, and stigma in NICU environments to improve the health outcomes of infants and their families, especially those from historically marginalized groups.

Background: Historically, childbearing women from diverse and systematically hard-to-reach populations have been excluded from nursing research. This practice limits the generalizability of findings. Maximizing research strategies to meet the unique needs of these populations must be a priority. Objectives: The aim of this study was to provide methodological context for the comprehensive application of reproductive justice strategies to guide research methods and promote engagement of underrepresented childbearing women while decreasing systemic bias. Methods: In this article, we use a reproductive justice lens to characterize and define strategies for enhancing ethical and equitable engagement in research involving childbearing women who are often systematically underrepresented using a case study approach. Using a specific case study exemplar, the core tenets of reproductive justice are outlined and affirm the need to advance research strategies that create ethical engagement of diverse populations, transform oppressive social structures, and shift research paradigms so research objectives intentionally highlight the strengths and resiliency inherent to the targeted communities. Results: We begin by describing parallels between the tenets of reproductive justice and the ethical principles of research (i.e., respect for persons, beneficence, and justice). We then apply these tenets to conceptualization, implementation (recruitment, data management, and retention), and dissemination of research conducted with childbearing women from diverse backgrounds who are systemically underrepresented. We highlight our successful research strategies from our case study example of women with histories of incarceration. Discussion: To date, outcomes from our research indicate the need for multilevel strategies with a focus on respectful, inclusive participant and key community partner engagement; the time investment in local communities to promote equitable collaboration; encouragement of the patient's autonomous right to self-determination; and mitigation of power imbalances. Nurse researchers are well positioned to advance research justice at the intersection of reproductive justice and ethics to fully engage diverse populations in advancing health equity to support the best health outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Women's incarceration has significantly increased in the United States over the past 40 years. Individuals experience numerous social, political, and economic barriers following incarceration; however, little is known about the incarceration experiences of Latina mothers in Texas, who are disproportionately affected. This study aims to examine the experiences of Latina mothers impacted by incarceration, using reproductive justice as a sensitizing lens. We used a qualitative description design and twelve Latina mothers were interviewed. We used semi-structured, individual, interviews to address the research question, "What are the experiences of Latina mothers impacted by incarceration?" We applied the reproductive justice framework to inductively sensitize the experiences with respect to the right to bodily autonomy, right to have or not have children, and right to parent in safe, sustainable environments following arrest. An overarching theme (We're still human) and four major themes (I did whatever they wanted me to do; It's me against the world; Even through the pain you push through; Our voices haven't been heard loud enough) emerged from our analysis of interview data. These themes describe experiences of discrimination, trauma, barriers, resiliency, and desires, following arrest. The findings indicate a need for more research that takes an intersectional approach; policy reform that humanizes those influenced by arrest; bridging initiatives on the individual, relational, community, and societal levels; and making probation and medication-assisted therapy services mother-centered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Promotion of mother-baby relationships during the ICU stay requires advocacy, systems thinking, and support of the motherbaby bond for effective implementation of practices. This article will explore the importance of mother-baby bonding in ICUs and developing a conducive environment for the dyad. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Smaller preterm infants often receive extra attention with implementation of additional thermoregulation interventions in the delivery room. Yet, these bundles of interventions have largely remained understudied in larger infants.Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate initial (or admission) temperatures of infants born weighing 1500 g or more with diagnoses requiring admission to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).Methods: Retrospective medical record review of 388 infants weighing 1500 g or more admitted to the NICU between January 2016 and June 2017.Result: In total, 42.5% of infants weighing 1500 g or more were admitted hypothermic (<36.5°C), 54.4% with a normothermic temperature, and 2.8% were hyperthermic. Of those infants admitted hypothermic, 30.4% had an admission temperature ranging from 36°C to 36.4°C and 12.1% had an admission temperature of less than 36°C. When compared with infants weighing less than 1500 g, who were born at the same institution and received extra thermal support interventions, there was a statistically significant difference (P < .001) between admission temperatures where infants less than 1500 g were slightly warmer (36.8°C vs 36.5°C).Implications For Practice: Ongoing admission temperature monitoring of all infants requiring NICU admission regardless of birth weight or admission diagnosis is important if we are going to provide the best support to decrease mortality and morbidity for this high-risk population.Implications For Research: While this study examined short-term outcomes, effects on long-term outcomes were not addressed. Findings could be used to design targeted interventions to support thermal regulation for all high-risk infants.Conclusion: Neonates admitted to the NICU weighing 1500 g or more are at high risk for developing hypothermia, similar to smaller preterm infants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Premature infants may experience increased difficulty with nutrition and growth. Successful oral feeding is an important factor associated with discharge readiness. Despite the importance of feeding as a growth-fostering process, little empiric evidence exists to guide recommendations for early interventions.Purpose: Evaluate whether specific elements of sucking, during preterm initiation of oral feeding, predict sucking organization at corrected term age.Methods: Sucking performance of 88 preterm infants born between 24 and 34 weeks of post-menstrual age was measured at baseline and term (33-35 and 40 ± 1.5 weeks). Participants were divided into 4 groups (quartiles) based on initial measures of performance including number of sucks, number of bursts, sucks per burst, and maximum pressure. Stability in sucking organization was assessed by comparing changes in infant's quartile location from baseline to term.Results: A correlation between quartile location was observed for mean maximum pressure (PMAX): infants with PMAX in the lowest quartile (poorest performance) were significantly more likely to remain in the lowest quartile at term (P < .000); infants in the highest quartile (best performance) at baseline were significantly more likely to be in the highest quartile at term (P < .000).Implication For Practice: Infants with the weakest sucking pressures at 34 weeks of post-menstrual age continue to be at risk for less than optimal feeding skills at 40 weeks of post-menstrual age. Early identification of at-risk infants may allow for effective interventions to potentially decrease long-term feeding problems.Implications For Research: Future research should focus on the development of personalized interventions to address attributes of problematic feeding such as sucking efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the Gravens Conference to be held in Florida, U.S. in 2024.

Objectives: To evaluate the effect of early breastfeeding cessation on incidence of diarrhea in a cohort of U.S. infants. Design, Sample, and Measurements: A secondary data analysis was conducted using data from 2,340 mother–infant dyads participating in the Infant Feeding Practices Study II. We examined associations between duration of feeding type (e.g., exclusive breastfeeding [EBF], any breastfeeding [BF], formula feeding) and incidence of diarrhea before one year. Results: The sample included mother–infant dyads that were 86.2% White, 3% Black, and 5% Hispanic. Interruption of EBF before 3 months was significantly associated with higher odds of having diarrhea at 6 months (OR = 1.80, p value ≤ 0.01) and between 6 and 12 months (OR = 1.45, p ≤.01). Breastfeeding interruption before 6 months was associated with higher odds of having diarrhea at 6 months (OR = 3.19, p ≤.01). Formula feeding for ≥3 months was associated with higher odds of diarrhea between 6 and 12 months. Conclusions: Exclusive breastfeeding for 3 months accompanied by any breastfeeding for 6 months provided the most protective effect against diarrhea. Public health interventions should address disparities in breastfeeding practices and provide support across clinical, workplace and community settings. Research should include more diverse population groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Early relational health (ERH) interventions can buffer toxic stress and improve the developmental trajectories of neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) infants., Purpose: The purpose was to examine the current state of the science related to multimodal, dyadic ERH interventions implemented in the NICU setting in the United States and identify gaps in the current literature., Data Sources: PubMed, Scopus, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), and PsycInfo were searched in November 2022 and November 2023 for original studies and conference proceedings from 1970 to present in the English language. Gray literature searches were performed in February 2023 and December 2023., Study Selection: English language, original research, with a focus on multimodal, dyadic ERH interventions that took place primarily in a NICU in the United States were included. Outcome measures could be related to implementation, relational health, or physical and/or mental health outcomes of parent and/or infant. Eighteen of 2021 reviewed articles met the inclusion criteria., Data Extraction: Data were extracted for author, year, intervention, purpose, methods, sample, paternal inclusion, dyadic components, non-dyadic components, and major outcomes/results and distilled for study characteristics, multimodal, dyadic intervention characteristics, and outcome measures., Results: Several multimodal dyadic interventions exist to aid ERH in the NICU, providing evidence of improved outcomes for infants and families. More research is required using higher sample sizes and replication studies., Implications for Practice and Research: ERH interventions show promise in improving neurodevelopmental, behavioral, and maternal mental health outcomes and should be considered for implementation into NICU services., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2024 by The National Association of Neonatal Nurses.)

Background: As rates of substance use during pregnancy persist, the health and optimal development of infants with prenatal substance exposure remain a key priority. Nurses are tasked with identifying and reporting suspected cases of child maltreatment, including abuse and neglect, which is often assumed to be synonymous with substance use during pregnancy. While policies aimed at protecting infants from child abuse and neglect are well intentioned, literature regarding the short- and long-term social and legal implications of mandatory reporting policies is emerging., Purpose: In this article, we explore the intersections between the condition of substance use in pregnancy and policies related to mandatory reporting., Methods: We provide an overview of historical and current trends in mandatory reporting policies for nurses related to substance use in pregnancy and related ethical and social implications for mother-infant dyads., Results: Nurses often function at the intersection of healthcare and social services, underscoring the important role they play in advocating for ethical and equitable care for both members of the mother-infant dyad affected by substance use., Implications for Practice and Research: We offer recommendations for practice including the integration of respectful care and family-centered support for the mother-infant dyad affected by substance use. Cross-sectoral collaborations, inclusive of the family, are important to the advancement of evidence-based and equity-focused research, advocacy, and policy initiatives to support familial preservation and reduce mother-infant separation., Competing Interests: The authors declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article., (Copyright © 2024 by The National Association of Neonatal Nurses.)

Objective: The purpose of this study was to critically analyze the role of stigma in the care of pregnant and parenting individuals with opioid use disorder (OUD) through the theoretical lens of the Reproductive Justice (RJ) framework. Background: Overdose related maternal mortality, often involving opioids, is a national growing public health concern. OUD is a highly stigmatized condition that may negatively influence the well-being of pregnant/parenting individual's reproductive and human rights. Study Design: Secondary qualitative data analysis. Methods: A secondary data analysis was conducted using individual interviews ( N  = 23) from a larger study aimed at examining contextual factors surrounding pregnant/parenting individual's experiences with opioid use return to use and/or overdose. The RJ framework was used as a framework to examine the influence of OUD-related stigma and a person's right to bodily autonomy, their right to parent, and their right to parent the children they have in safe and sustainable environments. Results: The RJ framework supported the examination of factors that perpetuate stigma in this population. Individuals described stigmatizing experiences in the health care setting. Verbal and nonverbal interactions with health care providers and fear of child welfare involvement were counterproductive to recovery and potentially triggered OUD recurrence and/or overdose. Conclusions: Due to existing stigma, pregnant and parenting individuals with OUD often avoided health care and recovery support services; therefore, there should be the removal of barriers that prevent this population from accessing life-saving services. Future efforts should focus on health policy-related research to support structural changes within institutions., Competing Interests: No competing financial interests exist., (© Allison D. Crawford et al., 2021; Published by Mary Ann Liebert, Inc.)