Midwifery News and Research

RSS

Lack of aftercare support for mothers of twins

New research by the Twins and Multiple Births Association (Tamba) has found that nearly 50 per cent of parents are left struggling unsupported after the birth.

4 Apr 2005

The facts on prenatal care

The nine months of pregnancy come complete with a rich folklore, from guessing at a baby’s sex by the expectant mother’s shape to home remedies for morning sickness. Along with these ageless stories and advice, women also face a variety of recommendations from the modern world of medicine on how best to take care of themselves during pregnancy.

3 Apr 2005

Acupuncture and strengthening exercises help relieve pelvic girdle pain during pregnancy

Researchers in Sweden identified 386 pregnant women with pelvic girdle pain. Women were randomly divided into three groups; one received standard treatment (a pelvic belt and a home exercise programme), another received standard treatment plus acupuncture, and the third received standard treatment plus stabilising exercises to improve mobility and strength.

21 Mar 2005

Midwives urge payment equity under Medicare

Legislation introduced into Congress today would provide for long overdue adjustments to Medicare reimbursement rates for services provided by certified nurse-midwives, according to the American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM).

16 Feb 2005

Third of cancer patients in Europe make use of complementary and alternative medicine

More than a third of cancer patients in Europe make use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), according to one of the largest surveys undertaken of CAM in cancer.

3 Feb 2005

A new study will research the best way to treat women with psychosis who then become pregnant

The national study will look at the best clinical practice for treating pregnant women with schizophrenia and other psychosis by setting up an Australian wide database of pregnant women with schizophrenia and related disorders. The study will follow the woman and her baby during pregnancy up to the first year of the baby's life.

29 Nov 2004

Shortages of health workers threaten health initiatives

A new study has for the first time quantified the dangerous scarcity of health care workers around the globe, ensuring future failures of most developing country health initiatives without the effective addition of 4 million health workers to stave off catastrophic health, economic and political consequences.

24 Nov 2004

All newborn babies in South Australia are to get access to comprehensive hearing testing in the first few weeks of their lives

All newborn babies in South Australia are to get access to comprehensive hearing testing in the first few weeks of their lives.

8 Nov 2004

Midwife researcher challenges maternity care in Australia

A Central Queensland University postgraduate has suggested maternity care in Australia needs an overhaul to meet the needs of today's midwives and expecting parents.

19 Oct 2004

Evidence of pelvic floor nerve injury after routine vaginal birth

Women with pelvic floor disorders suffer from urinary and fecal incontinence as well as prolapse of the bowel, bladder and reproductive organs. (Bowel prolapse occurs when the bowel slips out of place, and pushes up against the walls of the vagina, which may cause a great deal of discomfort.)

20 Aug 2004

Critical shortage of support services for parents raising children with autism

The findings come hard on the heels of controversy over the tragic death of autistic ten-year-old Jason Dawes at the hands of his mother, who had received only three of the 20 hours per week of early intervention that her child needed since the age of 18 months.

17 Aug 2004

Estimated increase of 10,000 qualifed nurses

New figures published by Health Minister, John Hutton, show that there are big increases in the numbers of doctors and nurses training and working in the NHS. Targets are being met and in many cases exceeded.

26 Jul 2004

New tool that measures and assesses first and second-degree perineal tears

A researcher from the University of Birmingham has co-developed a device to significantly improve the maternity aftercare of many new mothers - and the invention could also help lead the way in forensic investigations.

9 Jul 2004

Inadequate hospital staffing affecting death rates in the birthing unit

Inadequate staffing levels and ineffective deployment of midwives are key to many adverse events and near misses in birthing units, according to an international researcher in midwifery.

27 May 2004

Level of smoking by undergraduate female nursing students is higher than that of the general population

Twenty four per cent of them smoked compared with 18 per cent recorded in government figures for Australian females as a whole. (Among male nursing students the figure was 18.9 per cent compared with 21.1 per cent in the rest of the population.)

26 May 2004

NHS trainees get childcare help

Students who are being funded by the NHS to train in areas like nursing, midwifery or physiotherapy could get help with childcare costs from September.

11 May 2004

Study shows men keen to be involved in child birth and early parenting

Contrary to some people's opinions most men are keen to be involved in the birth and early parenting of their child and midwives can play an important role in supporting that, a PhD study at Southern Cross University (SCU), Australia by Kay Burton has found.

11 May 2004

Warning to parents-to-be that non-medical ultrasounds are unapproved, inappropriate, and possibly even risky

For many expectant parents, ultrasounds offer a window into the world of their growing unborn baby. Unlike most standard prenatal tests that involve nothing more than a urine cup or a needle

1 May 2004

Children don't understand physical activity and health messages

Parents who want their children to be fit and active should be encouraging them to go out and play rather than telling them to exercise, a study of more than 200 children aged 4-12 years shows.

28 Apr 2004

New study to benefit pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers

Pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers are set to benefit from the first study of its kind in the UK. Researchers at the Highlands and Islands Health Research Institute (HIHRI) will undertake a three-year study, which is being funded from £500,000 worth of awards from the Scottish Executive Health Department (SEHD) Chief Scientist Office.

4 Apr 2004