http://localhost:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/11094 2026-04-11T21:07:20Z 2026-04-11T21:07:20Z Irvine, Lucy C. Chisnall, Georgia Vindrola-Padros, Cecilia http://localhost:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/11100 2025-07-04T02:17:25Z 2023-11-01T00:00:00Z

Title: The impact of maternity service restrictions related to COVID-19 on women’s experiences of giving birth in England: A qualitative study Authors: Irvine, Lucy C.; Chisnall, Georgia; Vindrola-Padros, Cecilia Abstract: Background: The COVID-19 pandemic led to significant changes in maternity service delivery in England, including: antenatal appointments being cancelled or held by phone; women having to attend antenatal scans alone; partners not being allowed to accompany women during labor; visitor restrictions on postnatal wards; and limited postnatal support. Methods: We conducted semi-structured interviews with 46 women aged 18–45 who had low-risk pregnancies and gave birth to their babies using NHS services in England between 1st March 2020 and 1st March 2021. Results: Our thematic analysis of interview data generated key themes: profound negative impacts of birth partners not being allowed to accompany women (including on emotional wellbeing, birth preferences and careseeking choices); deep frustration about policy variation between trusts and inconsistent implementation of guidance; women being more concerned about the risk of giving birth alone than of COVID-19 infection; and women turning towards private care or delaying seeking NHS care so that they could have the birth experience they desired. The latter two results are, to the best of our knowledge, unique to this paper. Conclusion: Our participants reported significant negative affects to their emotional and physical wellbeing because of maternity service restrictions. Going forward, efforts are required by policymakers and health service providers to re-establish trust in NHS maternity care and ensure capacity to provide for potential shifts in birthplace preferences. Health systems strengthening efforts should prioritise protecting the rights of women to access high quality, person-centred care in the event of future health emergencies that strain NHS capacity.

2023-11-01T00:00:00Z Al-abri, Khalood Edge, Dawn Armitage, Christopher J. http://localhost:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/11099 2025-07-04T02:15:18Z 2023-11-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Prospective analysis of factors associated with perinatal depression Authors: Al-abri, Khalood; Edge, Dawn; Armitage, Christopher J. Abstract: Background: Perinatal depression is a significant public health problem that has adverse effects on both mothers and infants. Little research has been conducted on how depressive symptoms change throughout the perinatal period, especially in the Middle East. This study examines changes in depressive symptoms from pregnancy to the postnatal period, and what explains these changes. Methods: This prospective study recruited 306 Omani women in the third trimester of pregnancy and followed them up two to eight weeks after delivery. The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), with a cut-off of ≥12, was used to assess depressive symptoms in both the antenatal and postnatal periods. Independent t-tests, one-way ANOVA, Tukey’s honestly significant difference test and Chi-square tests were used to analyse the data. Results: The prevalence of depressive symptoms was 27.12 % (n = 83) during late pregnancy and 29.30 % (n = 81) during the postnatal period. Four groups of women were identified based on the EPDS scores: 1) antenatal depression group (8.82 %; n = 27); 2) ante- and postnatal depression group (14.38 %; n = 44); 3) postnatal depression group (12.09 %; n = 37); and 4) non-depression group (54.90 %; n = 168). Depressive symptoms were associated with low birth weight babies (d = 0.50), which confirms the negative effects of depression on perinatal health outcomes. When compared to the non-depression group, the three depressed groups had higher antenatal Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) scores (ds > 0.52), while the non-depression group had higher antenatal and postnatal Maternity Social Support Scale (MSSS) scores (ds > 0.63), and better relationships with the mother-in-law antenatally (d= 0.57). Conclusion: The present study of this Middle Eastern cohort shows that there were distinct groups of women experiencing perinatal depressive symptoms, influenced by various psychosocial and obstetric factors, which were comparable to those identified in more regularly studied populations. However, this study also identified other novel factors, such as the quality of family relationships. There is a need for additional research into the factors associated with these groups in order to develop appropriate interventions.

2023-11-01T00:00:00Z Charlotte Anraad a Empelen, Pepijn van Ruiter, Robert A.C. Rijnders, Marlies Groessen, Katja van http://localhost:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/11098 2025-07-04T02:13:24Z 2023-10-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Promoting informed decision-making about maternal pertussis vaccination in Centering Pregnancy group-antenatal care: A feasibility study Authors: Charlotte Anraad a; Empelen, Pepijn van; Ruiter, Robert A.C.; Rijnders, Marlies; Groessen, Katja van Abstract: Problem: Effective interventions are needed to promote informed decision making about vaccination. Background: We developed a group-antenatal care (CP; Centering Pregnancy) intervention, i.e., a session about MPV within existing group-care settings, to promote informed decision making about Maternal Pertussis Vaccination in the Netherlands. Aim: This study aimed to assess (1) to what extent the intervention was implemented as intended, (2) to what extent the intervention met the needs and wishes of pregnant individuals and midwives facilitating CP. Methods: We conducted exploratory interviews with 6 CP facilitators and 10 CP participants to assess the implementation of the intervention, and how the intervention and its different components were perceived. Interviews were analysed using thematic analysis. In addition, we conducted a pre- and post-intervention survey amongst 35 participants, measuring knowledge about MPV, and MPV attitude and intention. Results: The CP intervention was implemented as intended in 6 out of 7 groups. Participants were positive about the interactive CP-methods used to discuss MPV. Participants and facilitators evaluated the intervention as positive and relevant, although the intervention was time-consuming, and some participants had already made the de decision about MPV. Those who had not yet decided indicated that the session was helpful for their decision. Discussion and conclusion: Discussing MPV in CP care settings is a feasible strategy to support decision making about MPV during pregnancy. The intervention could be improved by discussing the MPV sooner than 16–18 weeks of pregnancy. A larger-scale study is needed to assess effects on MPV uptake and informed decision making.

2023-10-01T00:00:00Z Vila-Candel, Rafael Mena-Tudela, Desir´ee Franco-Antonio, Cristina Quesada, Jos´e Antonio Soriano-Vidal, Francisco Javier http://localhost:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/11097 2025-07-04T02:11:17Z 2023-11-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Effects of a mobile application on breastfeeding maintenance in the first 6 months after birth: Randomised controlled trial (COMLACT study) Authors: Vila-Candel, Rafael; Mena-Tudela, Desir´ee; Franco-Antonio, Cristina; Quesada, Jos´e Antonio; Soriano-Vidal, Francisco Javier Abstract: Problem: It is necessary to continue promoting breastfeeding rates. Background: Information and communication technologies have significantly impacted healthcare services and are transforming the sector. There is little evidence of the usefulness of mobile applications to support breastfeeding and increase its duration. Aim: To assess whether mobile application—LactApp® (Barcelona, Spain)—usage compared with standard care increases the 6-month postpartum breastfeeding rate. Methods: A multicentre, randomised, controlled clinical trial of parallel groups was conducted. The study was conducted in four public hospitals in Spain from January 2022 to January 2023. 270 Women were randomly assigned to each parallel group. The women in the intervention group received free access to the mobile application LactApp®, which provides personalised and convenient support to women about BF. Women in the control group received standard care, which included individual counselling about the benefits of maintaining BF for the first 6 months of the baby’s life. Findings: The rate of breastfeeding abandonment at 15 days was 6.4 % in the control group vs 0.0 % in the intervention group (p = 0.105). LactApp® usage did not increase the 6-month postpartum breastfeeding rate compared with standard care (CG = 41.6% vs. IG = 43.6 %; p = 0.826). Discussion: Further studies must explore how technologies can help improve long-term breastfeeding maintenance. The mobile app seems to reduce early weaning in the first 15 days slightly. Conclusion: Mobile application usage did not increase the breastfeeding rate compared with standard practice but may reduce breastfeeding abandonment in the first 2 weeks postpartum.

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