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The term "natural" is ubiquitous in advertising and branding, but limited research has investigated how consumers respond and relate to naturalness. Some researchers have documented preferences for natural products, specifically food, but there has been scant investigation of the psychological antecedents of such preferences, especially in the critical, multi-trillion-dollar domain of healthcare. Using publicly available country-level data from 41 countries and individual-level experimental and survey data from the lab and online panels, we find converging evidence that consumers do indeed differ in their preferences for relatively natural versus artificial healthcare options. These differences are influenced by the extent to which they subscribe to the Protestant Work Ethic (PWE)—a belief system that influences judgments and behaviors across diverse domains—such that people who subscribe strongly (vs. weakly) to the PWE are more likely to prefer natural healthcare options because they are more averse to external intervention in general. Further, belief in the PWE makes consumers more sensitive to the intrusiveness of an intervention than to its extent. Theoretical and substantive implications are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Psychological birth trauma represents a significant global public health concern, with an estimated 45% of new mothers reporting such an experience. Researchers mostly focus on the impacts of postpartum mental health issues, such as postpartum post-traumatic stress disorder, minimal attention has been given to the antecedents of psychological birth trauma. This study seeks to investigate the correlation between fear of childbirth and psychological birth trauma among Chinese women who have undergone natural childbirth, as well as the mediating role of coping styles in the association between fear of childbirth and psychological birth trauma. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 420 women who underwent natural childbirth between June and December 2021 in Shandong Province, China. Data were gathered using the Wijma Delivery Experience Questionnaire, Trait Coping Style Questionnaire, and Impact of Event Scale-Revised. The structural equation model (SEM) was employed to examine the relationships between variables and to develop the final model. Results: The prevalence of psychological birth trauma among women who had experienced natural childbirth was recorded at 10.27%. The mean score and standard deviation of psychological birth trauma, fear of birth, positive coping (PC), and negative coping (NC) among these women were 19.7 ± 12.5, 76.9 ± 21.3, 35.66 ± 7.05, and 28.20 ± 7.99, respectively. Findings indicated that women's fear of childbirth was directly (B = 0.340, p = 0.001) and indirectly (B = 0.124, p = 0.001) linked to women's psychological birth trauma. Additionally, women's PC was negatively associated with psychological birth trauma (B= -0.352, p = 0.001), while NC was positively associated with psychological birth trauma (B = 0.199, p = 0.001). Conclusions: Chinese women who experienced natural childbirth encountered a moderate level of psychological birth trauma. Women's coping style plays a pivotal mediating role in the connection between fear of childbirth and psychological birth trauma. Consequently, interventions aimed at diminishing women's fear of childbirth and enhancing PC skills should be devised and implemented to alleviate women's psychological birth trauma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Previous guidelines have clearly stated that dance is safe and beneficial during pregnancy and for childbirth. However, due to the small sample size of individual studies and different interventions, there were inconsistencies about the effect of dance on maternal childbirth. Methods: We included studies evaluating the effect of dance on women in labor. Risk of bias was assessed using the revised Risk of bias assessment tool for randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Data analyses was performed using Review Manager Software version 5.4. Results: A total of 12 RCTs comprising 1,486 pregnant women were included in the analysis. We found that the rate of natural childbirth and satisfaction with delivery were higher in the dance group than in the control group.The pain at 30 min and at 60 min after the intervention were lower in the dance group than in the control group. Meanwhile, the duration of the first stage, the second stage and the total labor duration was shorter in the dance group than in the control group.However, there were no statistically significant differences in the pain at 90 min after intervention, the duration of the third stage, and the rate of the normal 1-minute Apgar scores > 7 points between the two groups. Conclusions: Dance during labor could reduce labor pain to an extent, shorten the duration of labor, promote natural childbirth, and improve satisfaction with labor, with no adverse effects on neonatal outcomes. Trial registration: The protocol for this review was prospectively registered in the international prospective register of systematic reviews (PROSPERO) under the registration number CRD42022351001. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Background Aims Materials and Methods Results Conclusions Although consent has long been accepted as necessary in maternity care, the concept of informed consent for planned vaginal birth has polarised maternity politics. The publication of the NSW Consent Manual outlines new standards of informed consent, signalling the need for examination of current maternity consent practices.To examine informed consent and disclosure of material risks in birth in a prospective qualitative study of midwives and obstetricians.Qualitative study using semi‐structured interviews to examine practices and perspectives of obstetricians and midwives.Twenty‐two telephone interviews were concluded. Five sub‐themes were identified: (1) non‐compliance with the NSW Consent Manual, (2) risk communication/informed consent in maternity care, (3) consent practices in instrumental birth, (4) who should deliver risk information and when (5) barriers to change in consent practice (obstetricians only).One hundred per cent of participants (18 obstetricians, 4 midwives) described risk communication/informed consent practices that were non‐complaint with the standards set out in the 2020 NSW Consent Manual. Eighty‐three per cent (15/18) of obstetricians reported that current hospital‐wide maternity care practices in risk communication/informed consent are inadequate. Sixty‐one per cent (11/18) of obstetricians specifically singled out informed consent practices regarding instrumental birth to be inadequate. Ninety‐four per cent (17/18) of obstetricians believe that maternity care consent practices need to be improved. The results of this study indicate that material risks of vaginal birth, caesarean section and instrumental birth, are not routinely disclosed during antenatal courses. Urgent resources and structural change are required to uphold women's legal right to bodily autonomy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to determine the influence of beliefs and fears regarding childbirth on birth delivery preferences in pregnant women. This study is descriptive and correlational. The data were collected from 238 pregnant women. Data were collected between June-November 2023 using the "Personal Information Form", "Birth Beliefs Scale" and "Childbirth Attitudes Questionnaire". Data obtained from the study were analyzed using the SPSS statistical package program. 64.7% of the pregnant women were in the 28-34th gestational week and 65.1% preferred to give birth vaginally. The study revealed that pregnant women's beliefs that birth is a natural process are significantly stronger than those who see it as a medical process. Women who believed that birth was a natural process tended to prefer vaginal delivery, whereas those who saw it as a medical process tended to prefer cesarean section. Although pregnant women generally had strong beliefs that childbirth was a natural process, their fear of childbirth was moderate. Moreover, the fear of childbirth increased as the belief that childbirth is a medical process became stronger. This study indicates that beliefs and fears regarding childbirth significantly influence birth preferences in pregnant women. It is crucial for healthcare professionals to provide information to pregnant women undecided on the birth method regarding the reasons for vaginal and cesarean delivery and their advantages and disadvantages for maternal and fetal health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Childbirth is considered as the happiest action that occurs in any parent's life. Although childbirth is a natural process, the choice of delivery mode is one of the concerns of pregnant women. Consequently, the objective of this study to assess the effect of antenatal education on pregnant women's knowledge, attitude, and preferences of delivery mode. Methods: A quasi-experimental research design was utilized to achieve the study utilizing 140 purposive sample of pregnant women selected from antenatal outpatient clinics at the New Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital in Mansoura, Egypt. Results: The study findings reported that there was a significant improvement in total scores of the intervention group's knowledge and attitude toward the modes of delivery, with a highly statistically significant difference (p < 0.001) at post-intervention compared to the control group. Conclusion: Prenatal education sessions were linked to a significantly improved maternal outcome in terms of knowledge, attitude, and preferences for delivery mode (p < 0.001). Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT06561984, registered on August 19, 2024, retrospectively registered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective(s): Maternal health indicators, especially for pregnant mothers, are among the most important health indicators for any country. Given the implementation of the health transformation plan in the service delivery system in Iran, it was expected that there would be a significant improvement in the quality and quantity of services provided to mothers in recent years. Therefore, the aim of this research was to investigate the effect of implementing healthcare reform on maternal health indicators in East Azerbaijan province, Iran. Methods: This was a quasi-experimental study. The research population consisted of people living in villages in East Azerbaijan province - Tabriz district, Iran; with active health centers from 2007 to 2016, including a sample size of 200 mothers per year. Villages were randomly selected as clusters. Data collection tool was a questionnaire and all data were analyzed by SPSS version 22 statistical software. Results: The findings showed that the mean age of mothers during the study period ranged from 25 to 27 years. The number of pregnancies before the reform was 1.39 and after the reform, it was 1.20 which was statistically significant. Examination of the insurance status of pregnant mothers showed that before the reform, 6.4% of rural residents were uninsured, while after the reform, all of them were covered. In terms of laboratory services, 97.7% of mothers underwent routine tests in the first trimester, and 90.5% underwent routine tests in the second trimester. Additionally, over 99% of mothers had undergone at least one ultrasound, with an average of 2.56 ultrasound appointments. Conclusion: The implementation of the healthcare reform increased the insurance coverage of pregnant mothers and the utilization of services such as ultrasound. This initiative led to a reduction in maternal and neonatal mortality rates and a decrease in the rate of natural childbirth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Procreative choices and discourses in contemporary society are steered by the insistence on nature and the trust in biomedical technologies. Whilst biomedical technologies are increasingly used in conception, the critique of medicalisation in childbirth is a matter of collective sensitivity. Through the theory of sociological ambivalence, this study sheds lights on the strategies adopted by childbirth professionals to cope with the nature/technique polarity. Results of a qualitative study conducted with midwives, doulas and trainers in Italy are presentede. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Birthing balls have emerged as a valuable alternative in childbirth care, promoting not only pain relief but also a more positive and empowering experience while minimizing the need for invasive medical interventions. This holistic, woman-centered approach can positively transform the experience, contributing to healthier and more satisfying maternal and neonatal outcomes. Objective: To analyze the evidence on the influence of using a birthing ball on pain relief and the progression of labor. Methods: Systematic literature review; the search was carried out in the Medline, Scielo, Cinahl, and PubMed databases, using the Boolean search method “AND,” and “OR,” using the descriptors DeCs/MeSH. Results: Applying the defined criteria, five articles published between 2018 and 2023 were selected and analyzed. The authors highlight that, despite concerns about pain and the duration of labor, the results show that the use of birthing balls provided a positive experience and pain relief. Conclusion: Through the analysis of the articles, it is clear that the use of birthing balls contributes to a more positive childbirth experience and maternal empowerment while minimizing the potential risks associated with drug interventions. It was observed that using birthing balls also affects the duration of labor and the incidence of instrumented deliveries.

Postpartum hemorrhage is a common obstetric complication and the leading cause of maternal death worldwide, and weak uterine contraction is the main cause of postpartum hemorrhage. Uterine contractions such as oxytocin and carbe oxytocin are the first-line drugs for the prevention and treatment of weak uterine contraction. Oxytocin, as the first-line uterine contractions recommended by WHO for the prevention of postpartum hemorrhage, has not yet reached a consensus on the medication route, administration time, dosage and rate in different delivery methods. Among them, the use of oxytocin in high-risk groups of postpartum hemorrhage such as multiple pregnancies and obesity is different from that in low-risk groups. Current research focuses on how to achieve the best preventive effect with the lowest dose and reduce the adverse effects of the drugs in high-risk groups of postpartum hemorrhage. This paper reviews the prevention of postpartum hemorrhage with oxytocin and its administration plan. The application of oxytocin in different delivery modes was summarized and the future research direction was prospected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The type of perineal repair can have significant long-term effects on various functions in a woman's postpartum life. The aim was to compare urinary incontinence (UI), women's satisfaction, pelvic floor muscle strength (PFMS), and sexual function according to the type of perineal repair (surgical glue or suture thread) during the first eight months after normal childbirth. Methods: A controlled randomized clinical trial of 133 primiparous women undergoing perineal repair during birth with surgical glue or sutures, evaluated during labor and monitored up to 8 months postpartum, from March 2017 to September 2018, in the city in São Paulo, Bazil. Descriptive and inferential analyses were carried out. Results: A total of 133 women were included in the study, 111 (83.5%) were assessed between 10 to 20 days postpartum, 121 (91.0%) between 50 to 70 days, and 54 (40.6%) between 6 to 8 months. There were no significant differences for UI concerning the type of repair; however, there was a significant difference concerning the postpartum period (p=0.031), with a higher prevalence at two months. Most women reported satisfaction, with the highest levels reported two months after birth (p=0.019). For PFMS, the mean of the glue and suture groups were 32.4 cmH2O and 27.4 cmH2O, but not significant. Women in the glue group showed higher mean values in all sexual function domains but without significance. Conclusions: Surgical glue showed good aesthetic and functional results in the perineum at eight months postpartum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the French Revolution, obstetrics underwent substantial transformations in practice, teaching, and the physical spaces where it was conducted. The revolutionary authorities implemented reforms in French medical institutions that promoted an instrument-centred style and the dissemination of novel surgical techniques in obstetrics. The selection of professors for the obstetrics chair at the newly established École de santé and the appointment of chiefs for the new maternity ward in Paris favoured proponents of a mechanistic approach to labour assistance. This essay explores the theoretical principles and societal pressures that guided these transformative reforms and the remarkable changes they introduced in healthcare and in the practise of medicine and surgery. Furthermore, it examines the consolidation of new epistemological, ethical, and professional boundaries within the context of late eighteenth-century French obstetrics. A critical section of this study focuses on the debate ignited by the contemporaries who voiced concerns that the rise of surgical interventions on pregnant women's bodies might result in unwarranted violence, in a diminishing of midwives’ roles, and in a departure from the tradition of natural childbirth. These controversies among obstetricians highlight significant contradictions within the Revolutionary medical reforms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The use of internet-based search engines for health information is very popular and common. The Internet has become an important source of health information and has a considerable impact on patient's decision making process. Knowledge of pregnant women about childbirth comes from health professionals and personal experiences described by friends or family members. There is a growing interest in digital sources used by pregnant women. Analysis of queries related to regarding to natural childbirth and cesarean section in the Google search engine. Material and methods: In this infodemiology, descriptive study tool "AlsoAsked" was used. This is a tool for analyzing data appearing in Google search results. "AlsoAsked" search was conducted on April 19, 2023. Search phrases "natural childbirth" and "cesarean section" in polish language were used. Questions that were typed into the Google search engine, ranked according to popularity (volume) and thematic connections have been discussed. Results: The most frequently asked questions were related to the course and duration of labor as well as the preparation for labor and cesarean section (CS). Comparison between a natural labour and CS in the context of safety and pain received a great deal of attention. Conclusions: The most popular questions regarding CS were related to elective CS and indications for it. Some questions concerned the connection between labor and clinical state of a newborn. Women's healthcare should include education about the possibility of incorrect information provided by the Internet Web sites and information about trustworthy Web sites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was conducted in order to develop a scale regarding ‘Natural Birth Perception of the Pregnants in the Last Trimester’. The study was conducted cross-sectionally between March 1 and May 1, 2019. The universe of the study consisted of pregnant women (N: 356) above the age of 18 and in the third trimester. In the study, factor analysis was conducted to determine the construct validity of the Natural Birth Perception Scale. The internal reliability coefficient of the test was found to be quite high (cronbach alpha, 89). As the score obtained from the scale increases, the perception of natural birth increases positively. The Natural Birth Perception Scale can be used safely in measuring the natural birth perception of pregnant women.

Introduction: Fear of natural childbirth is a common problem among pregnant women. The present study was performed with aim to explain fear of natural childbirth and its related factors among primigravid women. Methods: This sequential-explanatory mixed-methods study with participant selection type was conducted in 2014-2015. At quantitative phase, using a multistage cluster sampling method, 400 primigravid women with 18-32 gestation weeks were selected. To collected data, Childbirth Attitude Questionnaire, demographic characteristics, and Northouse Social Support Questionnaire were used. Data analysis was performed using Chi-square, t-test, Mann-Whitney test, and multivariate logistic regression. At qualitative phase, semi-structured individual interviews using open-ended questions was performed on 15 primigravid women who were selected using purposive sampling method. The data were analyzed using conventional content analysis method. Results: Mean score of fear of natural childbirth was 37.86±9.44 and its prevalence (CAQ≥28) was 80.8%. According to the results of multivariate logistic regression analysis, a significant relationship was found between lack of sufficient income (p=0.020), not participating in childbirth preparation classes (p=0.040) and selection of delivery method (vaginal delivery) (p

Objective: To investigate the effect of incorporating noise-canceling headphones into the delivery process for natural childbirth puerperae. Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of clinical data encompassing natural childbirth puerperae in the People’s Hospital of Suzhou New District from January 2021 to February 2023. The implementation of routine noise reduction management was done from January 2021 to January 2022. During this interval, 69 natural childbirth puerperae were selected as subjects, with 7 excluded, resulting in 62 participants constituting the reference group. Subsequently, noise-canceling headphones were distributed to natural childbirth puerperae from February 2022 to February 2023. In this phase, 66 subjects were selected, and 6 were excluded, resulting in 60 participants forming the observation group. Following admission, both groups underwent corresponding nursing management. Emotional states, pain levels, and various indicators were systematically collected and meticulously compared. Results: The observation group exhibited significantly lower Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale scores than the reference group before delivery and during the first stage of labor (P < 0.05). The observation group demonstrated significantly lower visual analog scale scores and substance P, nitric oxide, and prostaglandin E2 levels than the reference group during the first stage of labor (P < 0.001). During the second stage of labor, the visual analog) scale scores were significantly lower in the observation group than in the reference group (P < 0.05). The durations of first and second labor stages were significantly shorter in the observation group than in the reference group (P < 0.05). No significant difference existed in Apgar scores between the two groups (P > 0.05). Conclusion: The utilization of noise-canceling headphones emerges as an effective intervention, alleviating anxiety, reducing pain during T1, and abbreviating total labor time in natural childbirth puerperae, suggesting its substantial clinical application value and potential as a beneficial addition to maternity care practices.

Background: The type of delivery significantly affects a woman's life and her newborn's health. Various factors, including medical conditions, personal preferences, and cultural influences, shape this decision. Increasing cesarean delivery rates have raised concerns about associated risks. This study examines the health impacts of different delivery types on mothers and newborns in Yazd hospitals, with a focus on maternal and neonatal outcomes. Methods: This cross-sectional analytical study involved a substantial cohort of 69,321 mothers who delivered in Yazd between March 21, 2018 to March 20, 2022. Comprehensive data were collected from Iman Hospital and relevant online patient records. To analyze the relationship between delivery type and health outcomes, independent samples t test and chi-square test were utilized. Additionally, odds ratios were calculated to assess relative risks concerning various maternal and neonatal outcomes. SPSS 26 software was employed for all analyses, with a significance level set at 5% to ensure robustness in the findings. Results: The average age of participants in the study was 34.45±6.44 years, highlighting a mature population of mothers. Neonatal outcomes indicated that babies delivered naturally were more likely to have unfavorable Apgar scores (ranging from four to six) when compared to infants delivered via cesarean section (CI=0.99-1.55, P=0.05, OR=1.24). Furthermore, naturally delivered infants showed a significantly higher likelihood of having Apgar scores below six (CI=0.90-1.03, P=0.001). Alarmingly, the odds of neonatal death were found to be 1.22 times higher for cesarean births (CI=1.19-1.25, P

Background Aim Methods Results Discussion Conclusion Diagnoses of labor dystocia, and subsequent labor augmentation, make one of the biggest contributions to childbirth medicalization, which remains a key challenge in contemporary maternity care. However, labor dystocia is poorly defined, and the antithetical concept of physiological plateaus remains insufficiently explored.To generate a definition of physiological plateaus as a basis for further research.This qualitative study applied grounded theory methods and comprised interviews with 20 midwives across Australia, conducted between September 2020 and February 2022. Data were coded in a three‐phase approach, starting with inductive line‐by‐line coding, which generated themes and subthemes, and finally, through axial coding.Physiological plateaus represent a temporary slowing of one or multiple labor processes and appear to be common during childbirth. They are reported throughout the entire continuum of labor, typically lasting between a few minutes to several hours. Their etiology/function appears to be a self‐regulatory mechanism of the mother‐infant dyad. Physiological plateaus typically self‐resolve and are followed by a self‐resumption of labor. Women with physiological plateaus during labor appear to experience positive birth outcomes.Despite appearing to be common, physiological plateaus are insufficiently recognized in contemporary childbirth discourse. Consequently, there seems to be a significant risk of misinterpretation of physiological plateaus as labor dystocia. While findings are limited by the qualitative design and require validation through further quantitative research, the proposed novel definition provides an important starting point for further investigation.A better understanding of physiological plateaus holds the potential for a de‐medicalization of childbirth through preventing unjustified labor augmentation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Fear of natural childbirth is a common problem among pregnant women. The present study was performed with aim to explain fear of natural childbirth and its related factors among primigravid women. Methods: This sequential-explanatory mixed-methods study with participant selection type was conducted in 2014-2015. At quantitative phase, using a multistage cluster sampling method, 400 primigravid women with 18-32 gestation weeks were selected. To collected data, Childbirth Attitude Questionnaire, demographic characteristics, and Northouse Social Support Questionnaire were used. Data analysis was performed using Chi-square, t-test, Mann-Whitney test, and multivariate logistic regression. At qualitative phase, semi-structured individual interviews using open-ended questions was performed on 15 primigravid women who were selected using purposive sampling method. The data were analyzed using conventional content analysis method. Results: Mean score of fear of natural childbirth was 37.86±9.44 and its prevalence (CAQ≥28) was 80.8%. According to the results of multivariate logistic regression analysis, a significant relationship was found between lack of sufficient income (p=0.020), not participating in childbirth preparation classes (p=0.040) and selection of delivery method (vaginal delivery) (p<0.001) with fear of childbirth. Analysis of data at the qualitative stage led to three themes including feeling of inability for natural childbirth, confusion in decision making and concerns about natural childbirth complications. Conclusion: Fear of childbirth was influenced by personal, social and cultural factors. Therefore, it is suggested that health service providers use the results of this study to implement educational programs in order to encourage natural childbirth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The type of delivery significantly affects a woman's life and her newborn's health. Various factors, including medical conditions, personal preferences, and cultural influences, shape this decision. Increasing cesarean delivery rates have raised concerns about associated risks. This study examines the health impacts of different delivery types on mothers and newborns in Yazd hospitals, with a focus on maternal and neonatal outcomes. Methods: This cross-sectional analytical study involved a substantial cohort of 69,321 mothers who delivered in Yazd between March 21, 2018 to March 20, 2022. Comprehensive data were collected from Iman Hospital and relevant online patient records. To analyze the relationship between delivery type and health outcomes, independent samples t test and chi-square test were utilized. Additionally, odds ratios were calculated to assess relative risks concerning various maternal and neonatal outcomes. SPSS 26 software was employed for all analyses, with a significance level set at 5% to ensure robustness in the findings. Results: The average age of participants in the study was 34.45±6.44 years, highlighting a mature population of mothers. Neonatal outcomes indicated that babies delivered naturally were more likely to have unfavorable Apgar scores (ranging from four to six) when compared to infants delivered via cesarean section (CI=0.99-1.55, P=0.05, OR=1.24). Furthermore, naturally delivered infants showed a significantly higher likelihood of having Apgar scores below six (CI=0.90-1.03, P=0.001). Alarmingly, the odds of neonatal death were found to be 1.22 times higher for cesarean births (CI=1.19-1.25, P<0.001). Additionally, mothers who underwent cesarean deliveries exhibited nearly a 4.9 times higher likelihood of requiring intensive care after delivery (CI=4.71-5.12, P<0.001, OR=4.9) and were 14.3 times more likely to be hospitalized postoperatively compared to those who had natural deliveries (CI=3.53- 1.31, P<0.001, OR=14.33). Conclusion: This study indicates that cesarean delivery is associated with higher complications for both mothers and newborns, highlighting the need to promote natural childbirth for better health outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To determine the prevalence of episiotomy over a 14-year period and to explore its association with maternal, delivery, and neonatal variables using administrative data. Material and methods: This is a cross-sectional study. Women who had a vaginal delivery with a live newborn at a referral hospital for obstetric care in Ecuador were included. Consecutive sampling was employed. ICD-10 records and the perinatal information system (PIS) were utilized. Sociodemographic, gestational, delivery, and neonatal variables were assessed. Descriptive analysis was performed. The overall and yearly prevalence was determined. Exploratory bivariate and multivariate analyses were conducted. The study was approved by the Human Research Ethics Committee of the Universidad Central del Ecuador. Results: A total of 11,862 records were analyzed. The overall prevalence of episiotomy was 36.69 %, with a maximum of 42 % and a minimum of 28 %. There is an implied trend towards a reduction in frequency from 2019 to 2022. A positive association was found between episiotomy and maternal age under 20 years, previous cesarean section, absence of a companion during delivery, term newborns, and large for gestational age newborns. A negative association was found with previous vaginal deliveries. Conclusions: The prevalence of episiotomy exceeds the recommendation of the World Health Organization (WHO). Clinical practice guidelines should consider potentially modifiable maternal and neonatal factors in their recommendations. Prospective studies should be conducted to evaluate the safety of the procedure, confirm these observations, and use robust methodologies to assess if there is a real decrease in its practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Childbirth is recognized as a physiological process essential to procreation and societal development. Nevertheless, it often lacks adequate discussion on humanized care practices. Therefore, it is necessary to identify women’s experiences during vaginal birth care to create practices that ensure better quality care. Objective: To characterize scientific evidence related to women’s experiences during vaginal birth care. Materials and Methods: An integrative review was conducted following Cooper’s methodology; six databases were reviewed: Cochrane, PubMed, Science Direct, Springer, Scopus, and Cinahl, using the descriptors: Normal Birth; Humanized Birth; Humanization of Care; Obstetric Violence; Qualitative Research, in Spanish, English, and Portuguese, limited to the 2010-2023 period, with the following inclusion/exclusion criteria: Qualitative full-text articles on vaginal births with a score of 8 or higher according to CASPe. Results: Six thematic units emerged: microaggressions and macro-impacts: childbirth: between pain and fear; acting with respect: childbirth as a natural process; silencing, enduring, and bearing; my birth, my choice; making the invisible visible: normalizing violence during childbirth; and the ritual of childbirth: women’s dignity. Conclusions: Women’s childbirth experiences are influenced by the cultural contexts in which they live; the biomedical model and traditional practices clash and impact women’s lives. Women must know their reproductive rights to contribute to a humanized childbirth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The "A Randomized Trial of Induction Versus Expectant Management" trial (ARRIVE trial) published in 2018 suggested that induction of labor can be considered a "reasonable option" for low-risk nulliparous women at ≥39 weeks of gestation. The study results led some professional societies to endorse the option for elective induction of labor at 39 weeks of gestation in low-risk nulliparas, and this has begun to change obstetrical practice. The ARRIVE trial provided valuable information supporting the benefits of induction of labor; however, the trial is insufficient to serve as the primary justification for widespread elective induction of labor at 39 weeks of gestation in low-risk nulliparas because of concerns about external validity. Thus, the French ARRIVE trial was designed to test the hypothesis in a different setting that elective induction of labor at 39 weeks of gestation in low-risk nulliparas leads to a lower cesarean delivery rate than expectant management. This ongoing trial has been criticized as "pseudoscientific" and telling "women where, when, and how to give birth." We reject these allegations and extensively examine the ethical framework that should govern clinical and research interventions, including elective induction of labor at 39 weeks of gestation in low-risk nulliparas. This study aimed to discuss the ethical issues that emerge from randomized trials of elective induction of labor at 39 weeks of gestation in low-risk nulliparas and the ethics of the clinical practice itself. The analysis of existing evidence shows the importance of further research on induction of labor at 39 weeks of gestation in low-risk women. Certain aspects of research ethics in this area, particularly the consent of pregnant women in a context where autonomy remains fragile, call for vigilance. In addition, we emphasize that childbirth is not only a medical object but also a social phenomenon that cannot be regarded only from the perspective of a health risk to be managed by clinical research. Further research on this issue is needed to allow pregnant women to make informed decisions, and the results should be integrated with social issues. The perspective of women is required in constructing, evaluating, and implementing medical interventions in childbirth, such as induction of labor at 39 weeks of gestation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Midwives can play a pivotal role in promoting natural-birth experiences. However, limited information is available about Jordanian laboring women’s experiences of natural childbirth guided by midwives. Understanding women’s experiences of natural birth can inform healthcare providers and policymakers to improve the care provided for laboring women. Purpose: This study aims to explore women's experiences of natural childbirth in a midwife-led care unit. Methods: A qualitative descriptive approach guided the study protocol. Data was collected through in-depth, semi-structured telephone interviews with 10 Jordanian women who experienced natural childbirth in a midwife-led care unit. Results: Two main themes emerged: “The journey of empowerment “and “being prepared for natural childbirth". The first theme consisted of two sub-themes: Making an informed decision, and being supported. The second theme consisted of three sub-themes: The power of the place, being satisfied with natural-childbirth practices, and feeling relieved. Conclusion: Women had positive childbirth experiences shaped by having autonomy in decision-making, perceived support, and being satisfied with the midwife-led care unit. Women’s positive experiences emphasize the need for social and political change to promote natural childbirth. Implications for Nursing: This paper provides evidence that supports the incorporation of midwife-led units to promote natural childbirth. New data will play a critical role in strengthening the responsibilities of nurses and midwives by raising public awareness and calling for policy changes to promote natural childbirth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Objectives: this study describes the occurrence of cesarean sections according to the Robson Classification in a public hospital in southern Brazil. Methods: a cross-sectional and retrospective study was conducted. Women who underwent vaginal delivery or cesarean section at the study location (gestational age >20 weeks and/or fetuses weighing > 500 g) were included. Stillbirths were excluded. Sociodemographic and obstetric data from July to November 2018 were retrospectively collected from medical records. Chi-square and linear trend tests were used for data analysis. The Robson Classification was analyzed according to World Health Organization recommendations, and the reasons for cesarean section were described. Results: the sample consisted of 1,531 women. The cesarean section rate was 39.1% (n=598). A greater incidence of cesarean sections was identified among women with no previous vaginal births, older women, those with higher educational levels, and those with more previous cesarean sections. Groups 1, 2 and 5 of the Robson Classification stood out for presenting cesarean section rates of 16%, 56.9% and 66.2%, respectively, and for totaling 60.3% of births by cesarean section in the studied institution. Conclusions: the percentage of cesarean sections found was greater than that reported in studies conducted in other countries. Groups 1 to 5 of the Robson Classification presented rates lower than values found in national literature. Groups 1, 2 and 5 should be prioritized for management and care interventions aiming to reduce cesarean rates.

Background: There are insufficient and contradictory reports regarding the effect of delivery method on the rate of umbilical cord Nucleated Red Blood Cell (NRBC). Therefore, the present study aimed to compare the percentages of umbilical cord NRBC in vaginal delivery and emergency cesarean section (C-section) in preterm neonates. Materials and Methods: The present cross-sectional study was performed on mothers with vaginal delivery and C-section, from 2020 to 2021. The samples (n = 221) were preterm neonates selected using the convenience sampling method. The percentages of NRBC in neonates born by natural childbirth and by emergency C-section were measured and compared in this research. A researcher-made checklist, which included maternal and neonatal characteristics and laboratory evaluation, was used as a data collection tool. Results: The statistical population of thisresearch included 93 (42.10%) and 128 (57.90%) neonates born by vaginal delivery and by C-section, respectively.The mean (SD) score of gestational ages at birth was 30.75 (2.81) weeks. The mean (SD) score of umbilical cord NRBC level were estimated at 8.01 (5.93) and 25.64 (22.61) for the neonates born by natural childbirth and by emergency C-section, respectively (t=-8.43, df = 150, p

Introduction: Self-efficacy during pregnancy is a self-assessment of one's ability to manage stress and perform important behaviors, especially in coping with pain. Women who benefit from the support of others during pregnancy feel more self-efficacious. The studiesshow that involving family members in education, support or presence during pregnancy has contradictory consequences. This study was therefore conducted with the aim of determining the effect of an accompanying training programme based on Bandura's theory on the mother's self-efficacy during childbirth. Material & Methods: This RCT was conducted on 60 primiparous mothers between 20 and 23 weeks of gestation who were admitted to Umm al-Banin Hospital in Mashhad and were randomly assigned to two intervention and control groups. The control group received 8 sessions of 90 minutes of oral and practical training. In addition to these sessions, training sessions based on Bandura's theory were held for the intervention group, includingtwo sessions of companions and pregnant mothers together and two sessionsalone. A demographic questionnaire and a Childbirth Self-Efficacy Inventory (CBSEI, Lowe, 1993) were completed by both groups before and immediately after the training. Data were analyzed using independent t-tests, paired t-tests, Mann-Whitney and Wilcoxon in SPSS 16 software. A significance level of less than 0.05 was considered. Findings: The average age of the mothers in the intervention group was 26.7±8.3 years and in the control group 28.3±5.9 years. In most cases, the mother 's companion was her sister (73.3%). Before the training, the mean value of self-efficacy was 82.5±22.3 in the intervention group and 87.5±32.4 in the control group (P = 0.492, independent t-test). After the training, the mean value of self-efficacy was 132.4±18.5 in the intervention group and 115.2±26.4 in the control group (P=0.006, Mann-Whitney test). Self-efficacy after the intervention compared to before increased by 49.9±31.3 in the intervention group and by 27.7±29.5 in the control group (P=0.007, Mann-Whitney test). In intragroup comparison, the difference between the intervention group after and before the training was significant (P

BACKGROUND: The Safe Childbirth Checklist (SCC) was designed in an effort to support health workers to perform essential tasks and improve the quality of care (QoC) for mothers and babies during childbirth. Given the fact that human experiences in any society can be influenced by cultural, economic, and social differences. Therefore, the present qualitative study aimed to investigate mothers’ perceptions and experiences of natural childbirth and QoC in childbirth management based on SCC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The current study is a qualitative study that was conducted in 2022–2023 by targeted sampling on women who gave birth based on SCC in two hospitals in Ahvaz. Eighteen women participated in the interview sessions 1 month after giving birth. The conventional content analysis method was used to analyze the data. RESULTS: Overall, 870 codes were extracted from the interviews. The interviewed mothers’ satisfaction with the use of SCC was organized into seven main themes, namely “Satisfaction with the comprehensive support of the companion,” “Satisfaction with the comprehensive support of the midwife,” “Satisfaction with the emotional support of the husband,” “Satisfaction with the mutual interaction between the midwife and the parturient mother,” “ Preparation for the challenges of different stages of childbirth and postpartum through training,” “ Satisfaction with the pain management strategies adopted by the companion,” “Satisfaction with skin-to-skin contact and early breastfeeding” and “ Satisfaction with the strengthened relationship between the couples and acceptance of the father’s role after the husband’s meeting with the parturient mother.” CONCLUSION: Implementation of SCC by providing evidence-based practice and midwifery standards to mothers and neonates can help improve women’s experiences of the birth process. By reminding midwives to encourage women to have a companion during childbirth and by giving the necessary training to them about danger signs in every stage of childbirth from admission to discharge, this checklist can not only lead to positive birth experiences but also improve the interaction of mothers with midwives. Therefore, it is recommended that this checklist be used in maternity wards.

Abstract Background Birth is a significant event in women’s lives. As Mansfield notes (2008) many women aim for a birth that avoids pharmacological pain relief because they are advised it is better for them and their baby. For women having their first baby, this may not be realistic as 3/4 of primiparous women in Australia will use pharmacological pain relief. This study examines the expectations that a group of women had regarding pain relief, how these expectations developed and what happened to requests for pain relief in labour. Methods A longitudinal prospective study design was used to recruit 15 women who were having their first baby. Women having low risk pregnancies, hoping for a ‘natural birth’ (vaginal, no/minimal pharmacological pain relief) were eligible. A semi-structured interview tool was used across all three interviews that asked women about their expectations, then actual labour experience, pain management requests and how these were responded to by carers. Fifteen women were interviewed – at 36 weeks gestation; as soon after delivery of their baby as possible, then six months post-delivery (N = 43 interviews). Interviews were recorded and transcribed and coded by ES using NVivo software with hierarchical thematic analysis used. Results The study found that women appear to experience a mismatch between expectations they had developed pre-birth, versus actual experience. This appears to cause a specific form of dissonance – which we have termed ‘birth dissonance’ leaving them feeling traumatised post birth. This is because what women expected to happen in birth was often not realised. In particular, some women requested pain relief in birth and felt that their request was not responded to as hoped, and also seemed to develop post-birth trauma. We proposed that this may have resulted from dissonance arising from their expectations about being able to birth without significant pain relief. Interventions and technology may also contribute to this sense of mismatch and post-birth trauma. Conclusions Low risk birthing women birthing in a hospital may have to engage with higher levels of technology, intervention and pain relief than that which they expected pre-birth. This could possibly be avoided with four simple changes. Firstly, better pre-birth education for women about how painful labor is likely to be. Secondly, pre-birth education which includes a detailed explanation of the utility of pharmacological and non-pharmacological pain relief. Thirdly, more egalitarian decision-making during labour and finally delivering upon women’s requests for pain relief in labor, at the time that they ask for it. Further research is required to determine the extent of birth dissonance and how women making the transition to motherhood can avoid it.

Abstract Objective: To describe the prevalence of perineal laceration, based on the self-reported perception of postpartum women, and to analyze factors associated with its occurrence in Brazil. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted with 23,894 postpartum women, excluding twin pregnancies, cesarean sections, and births with episiotomies, between 2011 and 2012. Prevalence ratios (PR) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) of association between the event and maternal, fetus/newborn, obstetric and clinical management characteristics were estimated in hierarchical Poisson regression models. Results: Out of 4,606 postpartum women, 49.5% (95%CI 46.1;42.9) self-reported perineal laceration. Being an adolescent (PR = 1.12; 95%CI 1.02;1.25), primipara (PR = 1.47; 95%CI 1.33;1.63), having had excessive gestational weight gain (PR = 1.17; 95%CI 1.07;1.29) and having undergone the Kristeller maneuver (PR = 1.18; 95%CI 1.08;1.29) increased the proportion of the outcome. Conclusion: The results found call for prenatal care and adjustments to childbirth care so as to be in accordance with current recommendations.

Background: Midwives can play a pivotal role in promoting natural birth experiences. However, limited information is available about Jordanian laboring women’s experiences of natural childbirth guided by midwives. Understanding women’s experiences of natural birth can inform healthcare providers and policymakers to improve the care provided for laboring women. Purpose: This study aims to explore women's experiences of natural childbirth in a midwife-led care unit. Methods: A qualitative descriptive approach guided the study protocol. Data were collected through in-depth, semi-structured telephone interviews with 10 Jordanian women who experienced natural childbirth in a midwife-led care unit. Results: Two main themes emerged: “The journey of empowerment “and “Being prepared for natural childbirth". The first theme consisted of two sub-themes: Making an informed decision and being supported. The second theme consisted of three subthemes: The power of the place, being satisfied with natural childbirth practices, and feeling relieved. Conclusion: Women had positive childbirth experiences shaped by having autonomy in decision-making, perceived support, and being satisfied with the midwife-led care unit. Women’s positive experiences emphasize the need for social and political change to promote natural childbirth. Implications for Nursing: This paper provides evidence that supports the incorporation of midwife-led units to promote natural childbirth. New data will play a critical role in strengthening the responsibilities of nurses and midwives by raising public awareness and calling for policy changes to promote natural childbirth.

Objective: To explore the effectiveness of diversified teaching modes in Pregnant Women′s Educational School in promoting natural delivery. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on primiparous pregnant women who were registered for prenatal examination and hospitalized for delivery at Tianjin Central Hospital of Gynecology Obstetrics from June to August 2023. Based on whether they had participated in the courses of Pregnant Women′ s Educational School, the participants were divided into experimental group (309 women) and control group (300 women). A questionnaire survey was conducted upon admission to compare the awareness of natural delivery knowledge and the willingness to undergo natural delivery between two groups. Analyze and compare the cesarean section rate, social factors cesarean section rate, incidence of pregnancy complications, application rate of labor analgesia, incidence rate of macrosomia and proportion of postpartum hemorrhage between two groups. Conduct a satisfaction survey on different teaching modes in the experimental group. Compare the number of learners attending each teaching modes in Pregnant Women′s Educational School. Results: The awareness of natural delivery knowledge and the willingness to undergo natural delivery in the experimental group were higher than those in the control group, the differences were statistically significant (P＜0.05). There was no significant difference in cesarean section rates between the two groups (P=0.051). However, compared to the control group, the experimental group had a lower rates of social factors cesarean section, lower incidence of pregnancy complications, macrosomia and postpartum hemorrhage, as well as a higher application rate of labor analgesia. The differences between two groups were statistically significant (all P＜0.05). There was a statistically significant difference in the average number of learners among the five different teaching modes in the experimental group (χ² =83.455, P＜0.000 1). There were 596 students in each Recorded Course on average, higher than other teaching modes, followed by WeChat Video Account Live Course, 280 students in each course on average. There was a statistically significant difference in patient satisfaction of different teaching modes among the pregnant women who had participated in the courses of Pregnant Women′s Educational School (χ² =104.708, P＜0.000 1), with 100% satisfaction of the WeChat Video Account Live Courses. Conclusions: The diversified teaching modes at Pregnant Women′s Educational School can attract the attention of pregnant women, enhance their awareness of prenatal health care, reduce pregnancy complications and promote natural delivery. The WeChat Video Account Live Course has the characteristics of high satisfaction and wide audience, which is worth promoting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During childbirth, one of the most common diagnoses of pathology is 'failure to progress', frequently resulting in labour augmentation and intervention cascades. However, failure to progress is poorly defined and evidence suggests that some instances of slowing, stalling and pausing labour patterns may represent physiological plateaus. To explore how midwives conceptualise physiological plateaus and the significance such plateaus may have for women's labour trajectory and birth outcome. Twenty midwives across Australia participated in semi-structured interviews between September 2020 and February 2022. Constructivist grounded theory methodology was applied to analyse data, including multi-phasic coding and application of constant comparative methods, resulting in a novel theory of physiological plateaus that is firmly supported by participant data. This study found that the conceptualisation of plateauing labour depends largely on health professionals' philosophical assumptions around childbirth. While the Medical Dominant Paradigm frames plateaus as invariably pathological, the Holistic Midwifery Paradigm acknowledges plateaus as a common and valuable element of labour that serves a self-regulatory purpose and results in good birth outcomes for mother and baby. Contemporary medicalised approaches in maternity care, which are based on an expectation of continuous labour progress, appear to carry a risk for a misinterpretation of physiological plateaus as pathological. This study challenges the widespread bio-medical conceptualisation of plateauing labour as failure to progress, encourages a renegotiation of what can be considered healthy and normal during childbirth, and provides a stimulus to acknowledge the significance of childbirth philosophy for maternity care practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the 1970s, the National Childbirth Trust (NCT) began to provide information and support to women experiencing postnatal mental illness, building on its promotion of natural childbirth and emphasis on the emotional wellbeing of women around birth, which had occupied the organisation since its establishment in 1956. This article argues that, alongside emotional, social and medical factors, the NCT attributed postnatal depression to the shift to hospital deliveries, involving high levels of intervention and frustrating women's choice and agency. While sharing ambitions to improve care in childbirth and giving women a voice in describing their experiences, it is suggested that the NCT's relationship with the feminist health movement remained ambiguous. The article also explores the NCT's collaboration with a variety of experts and advisors, some of whom emphasised the risk of postnatal depression to the bonding process and infant's development, potentially exacerbating the mental distress of new mothers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• COVID-19 infection alone should not be an indication for caesarean section. • Caesarean section was associated with poorer perinatal outcomes. • Mode of delivery should be individualised to prevent negative perinatal outcomes. There is paucity in the literature that provides a comprehensive and evidence-based conclusion regarding this topic. To compare perinatal outcomes of vaginal and caesarean section delivery in women diagnosed with COVID-19 by meta -analysis of literature. The search was conducted on MEDLINE, EMBASE, LILACS, CINAHL, Scopus, Web of Science and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews by 25th May 2022. The inclusion criteria involved pregnant women diagnosed with COVID-19 who underwent caesarean section and those who had vaginal deliveries. The included studies were meta -analyzed for various outcomes including: Gestational age, maternal intensive care unit admission, maternal death, prematurity, newborn birth weight, newborn intensive care unit admission, Apgar scores, newborn death, and newborn vertical transmission of COVID-19. The meta -analysis was conducted using Comprehensive Meta-Analysis (CMA) software, version 3.3.070. The meta -analyses included 2,566 deliveries (866 caesarean sections and 1,700 vaginal deliveries) and identified that caesarean section was significantly associated with increased prematurity (OR 2.5 [1.7; 3.6], p < 0.001), lower birth weight (−118 g [−170; −66], p < 0.001), and a higher need for maternal (OR 9.54 [5.22; 17.43], p < 0.01) and neonatal intensive care unit intervention (OR 3.67 [2.71; 4.96], p < 0.01) compared to vaginal delivery. COVID-19 infection alone should not be an indication for caesarean section as there is insufficient evidence that caesarean section reduces mortality, improves birth conditions, or prevents vertical transmission. Additionally, caesarean section is associated with poorer perinatal outcomes compared to vaginal delivery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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This study was conducted in order to develop a scale regarding 'Natural Birth Perception of the Pregnants in the Last Trimester'. The study was conducted cross-sectionally between March 1 and May 1, 2019. The universe of the study consisted of pregnant women (N: 356) above the age of 18 and in the third trimester. In the study, factor analysis was conducted to determine the construct validity of the Natural Birth Perception Scale. The internal reliability coefficient of the test was found to be quite high (cronbach alpha, 89). As the score obtained from the scale increases, the perception of natural birth increases positively. The Natural Birth Perception Scale can be used safely in measuring the natural birth perception of pregnant women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: There are insufficient and contradictory reports regarding the effect of delivery method on the rate of umbilical cord Nucleated Red Blood Cell (NRBC). Therefore, the present study aimed to compare the percentages of umbilical cord NRBC in vaginal delivery and emergency cesarean section (C-section) in preterm neonates. Materials and Methods: The present cross-sectional study was performed on mothers with vaginal delivery and C-section, from 2020 to 2021. The samples (n = 221) were preterm neonates selected using the convenience sampling method. The percentages of NRBC in neonates born by natural childbirth and by emergency C-section were measured and compared in this research. A researcher-made checklist, which included maternal and neonatal characteristics and laboratory evaluation, was used as a data collection tool. Results: The statistical population of thisresearch included 93 (42.10%) and 128 (57.90%) neonates born by vaginal delivery and by C-section, respectively.The mean (SD) score of gestational ages at birth was 30.75 (2.81) weeks. The mean (SD) score of umbilical cord NRBC level were estimated at 8.01 (5.93) and 25.64 (22.61) for the neonates born by natural childbirth and by emergency C-section, respectively (t=-8.43, df = 150, p<0.001). Statistically significant differences were observed in the gestational age (t=-3.36, df = 218, p = 0.001), fifth-minute Apgar score (t=-2.32, df = 200, p = 0.021), umbilical cord NRBC (t=-8.43, df = 160, p<0.001), and short-term prognosis (p = 0.032) between the two groups. It was also revealed that the number of NRBCs in the dead neonates was about 1.5 times higher than that in the discharged neonates. Conclusions: Based on the results of the present study, emergency C-section increased the mean of umbilical cord NRBC by three times, compared to that of normal delivery. Since an increase in the NRBC raises the risk of infant death, it is advisable to take steps to maintain the health of children by identifying high-risk neonates through umbilical cord NRBC measurement immediately after delivery and special care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Background: Normal physiologic birth has been shown to result in optimal maternal–infant outcomes, but the concept of physiologic birth is continually evolving. Midwives play an important role in advocating for normal physiologic birth; however, their perceptions of what this approach entails have not been systematically appraised. Objective: In this qualitative review, we aimed to examine midwives' perceived meanings of "normal physiologic birth" and to describe their experiences facilitating such births. Methods: Five electronic databases were searched, and 26 qualitative papers were included, representing a total of 433 midwives from different backgrounds (i.e., independent, home‐based, community‐based, and hospital‐based). Eligible papers were assessed for quality, and then data were coded and synthesized thematically. Results: Four highly connected themes were generated: (1) the midwife: fundamental beliefs; (2) the woman: empowerment and advocacy; (3) the environment: ambience and culture; and (4) the team: need for institutional support and recognition. The fundamental beliefs of midwives, such as their perceived role and definition of normal physiologic birth and their self‐confidence, influence practice styles and contribute to personal and professional development. Midwives often advocate for a person‐centered approach that encouraged women's and other birthing person's autonomy and involvement in shared decision‐making. The midwife–client relationship is also central. Most importantly, a conducive birthing environment and an inclusive workplace culture that encourages interprofessional support, collaboration, and recognizes midwifery practices were identified as crucial in providing optimal conditions for the facilitation of physiologic birth. Conclusions: This review provides healthcare policymakers and institutions fresh impetus to evaluate and revise as needed current workplace policies to be more inclusive and supportive of midwifery practices and physiologic birth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Pregnant women experience several changes in their appearance, body shape and body image. In some studies, there has been a relationship between these changes and the type of delivery. This study aimed to investigate the relationship of the prenatal body image and genital image with the mode of delivery preferred by pregnant women in Gorgan in 2020. Methods In this cross-sectional study, 334 pregnant women were selected by stratified sampling. The Prenatal Body Image Questionnaire (PBIQ), Female Genital Self-Image Scale (FGSIS), pregnant women’s preferences for mode of delivery questionnaire (PPMDQ) and DASS-21 were completed on line. The data was analyzed using Spearman test and linear regression. Results The average score of PBIQ, FGSIS, and PPMDQ was 68.24 (standard deviation = 17.71), 19.25 (standard deviation = 3.3), and 63.12 (standard deviation = 3.3) respectively. Vaginal delivery as a preferred mode of delivery was inversely correlated with dissatisfaction with body image (r=-0.32, P