OBJECTIVES To evaluate whether the completion of birth plans is associated with delivery in a health facility and the perceptual causes of birth plan completion and health facility based delivery were explored according to a well-tested health behaviour theory. DESIGN A community survey. SETTING Rakai and Luwero districts. SUBJECTS A total of 415 (202 in Rakai and 213 in Luwero district) ...

This prospective, longitudinal study aimed to investigate relationships between indicators of maternal prenatal stress, infant birth outcomes and early temperament. We examined the pattern of associations and postulated pathways between physiological (cortisol plasma concentrations) and self-report indices (stress, anxiety) of maternal prenatal stress, cortisol in the amniotic fluid, birth outc...

Women seek to give birth in a place where they feel safe, protected and secure. However, in conflict settings, many are forced to give birth in dangerous and frightening situations, where even the most rudimentary help and protection is unavailable. This study, based on interviews with women who gave birth and midwives during the 22-day Israeli attack on Gaza in December 2008 - January 2009, il...

Drawing on Language Expectancy Theory and Extended Parallel Process Model, the study aims to explore difference between anti- pro-birth control information available online by comparing word usage, sentiments popularity of headlines snippets returned Google Search engine. Findings indicated that anti-birth entries used more emotional words, especially those communicating fear. Headlines with wo...

AIMS To examine the effect of maternal alcohol use during pregnancy on infant behavioral outcomes and birth weight, and to investigate the differential susceptibility of infant behavioral outcomes and birth weight to prenatal alcohol exposure. METHODS Data on children born to women taking part in the United States National Longitudinal Survey of Youth (NLSY) (n = 1618) were analyzed using the...

We designed and implemented a new model of care, Enhanced Antenatal Care (EAC), which offers combined approach to midwifery-led care with six one-to-one visits four group sessions. To assess EAC in terms women’s satisfaction autonomy decision-making, its effectiveness lowering childbirth fear. This was quasi-experimental controlled trial comparing 32 nulliparous women who received (n = 32) usua...

Background & aim: Warm water immersion during labor is associated with relaxation and pain reduction for pregnant women. This method is not extensively used in Iran, given the fear of infection and other maternal/neonatal complications. Alternative methods are required to increase the safety of normal vaginal delivery. The purpose of this study was to compare maternal and neonatal outcomes, ass...

This study investigated the association between fear of childbirth (FOC) and women's knowledge about painless childbirth methods. The study was performed on 900 multiparous women within the last month of pregnancy. Data was obtained through a questionnaire including the Wijma Delivery Expectancy/Experience Questionnaire (W-DEQ) Turkish form A. FOC was defined as W-DEQ sum score ≥85. Women were ...