http://localhost:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/11382 2026-04-08T21:49:18Z 2026-04-08T21:49:18Z Lai, Ms Yee Kay Wong, Ms Michelle Kearney, Lauren Lee, Nigel http://localhost:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/11622 2025-07-14T03:09:15Z 2024-07-01T00:00:00Z

Title: The effect of antenatal hypnosis training on pharmacological analgesia use during labour and birth: A systematic review and meta-analysis Authors: Lai, Ms Yee Kay; Wong, Ms Michelle; Kearney, Lauren; Lee, Nigel Abstract: While recent reviews have reported on pain perception, relaxation and other psychological benefits the impact of hypnosis on the use of pharmacological analgesia use has not been specifically examined. Question: For women in labour at term, does antenatal hypnosis instruction compared to no instruction result in decreased use of pharmacological analgesia and influence maternal and infant birth outcomes. Methods: Databases such as PubMed, CINAHL, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and Embase were searched with dates ranging from 1947-2024. We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) that compared antenatal hypnosis training to no hypnosis control groups, published in English and reported on pharmacological analgesia use. The Cochrane’s Risk of Bias 2 for RCTs was used to assess design quality. Study selection, quality assessment, data extraction and analysis were undertaken by two independent researchers. Findings: Six RCTs met the inclusion criteria (n=2937). The use of hypnosis did not result in a significant reduction in the risk of epidural use (RR. 0.79 95% CI 0.39-1.61) or other forms of pharmacological analgesia. Factors such as blinding of care providers to the participants allocated group may have reduced the chances of successful use of hypnosis. Variations in the presentation of hypnosis between studies may also impact on outcomes. Discussion and Conclusion: This review reports no effect on the use of pharmacological analgesia in women trained in hypnosis antenatally compared with those who were not. Our review does highlight several RCT design characteristics that could impact on the measurement and analysis of the use and efficacy of hypnosis.

2024-07-01T00:00:00Z Thomson, Gill Balaam, Marie-Clare http://localhost:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/11621 2025-07-14T03:07:10Z 2024-07-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Researchers’ perspectives of self-agency within a context of violence and harm in maternity care Authors: Thomson, Gill; Balaam, Marie-Clare Abstract: Problem: There is an increasing awareness of the prevalence of obstetric violence within maternity care and that some women and birthing people are at greater risk of experiencing violence and harm. Background: Supporting self-agency for women and birthing people in maternity care may be a way of addressing the disparities in vulnerability to violence and harm. Aim: To explore researchers’ perspectives of self-agency for women from different backgrounds, what inhibits and prevents self-agency, and how self-agency can be enabled. Methods: A qualitative research design was undertaken underpinned by a reproductive justice framework. Group interviews were held with researchers working with perinatal women/birthing people with histories and experiences of violence and abuse. Reflexive thematic analysis using Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory was undertaken. Findings: 12 participants took part in two group interviews. Two themes were developed: ‘defining self-agency’ and ‘ecological influences on self-agency’. Discussion: The findings identify how self-agency should not be perceived as an intrinsic attribute, but rather is underpinned by exogenous and endogenous influences. Whether and how self-agency is enacted is determined by interacting factors that operate on a micro, meso and macro level perspective. Self-agency is undermined by factors including immigration policies and sociocultural perspectives that can lead to under-resourced and judgemental care, other intersectional factors can also lead to some individuals being more vulnerable to violence and harm. Conclusion: Implications from this work include strategies that emphasise woman-centred care, staff training and meaningful organisational change to optimise positive health and wellbeing.

2024-07-01T00:00:00Z Martín-Vazquez, Cristian Urchaga-Litago, Jose David García-Fern´andez, Rub´en Calvo-Ayuso, Natalia Quiroga-Sanchez, Enedina Li´ebana-Presa, Cristina http://localhost:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/11620 2025-07-14T03:05:19Z 2024-07-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Quality of life and social support during pregnancy in Spanish population. A longitudinal study Authors: Martín-Vazquez, Cristian; Urchaga-Litago, Jose David; García-Fern´andez, Rub´en; Calvo-Ayuso, Natalia; Quiroga-Sanchez, Enedina; Li´ebana-Presa, Cristina Abstract: Background: The quality of life and social support during pregnancy are two variables influencing the health of pregnants and neonates. The documented impact of these variables on mental health, specifically the risk of depression, is notable. Aim: To investigate the evolution of quality of life and social support at the beginning and end of pregnancy in pregnant women, and to examine the relationship between these variables. Methods: The proposed longitudinal study includes 188 pregnants from a northern region of Spain. Participants were selected through consecutive sampling from September 2021 to April 2023. Quality of life and social support will be assessed in the first and third trimesters of pregnancy using the SF-36 questionnaire and MOS-SSS questionnaire, respectively. Findings: The questionnaires show strong internal consistency (α = 0.91 and 0.97). Quality of life changes during pregnancy, declining in the physical component and rising in the mental component towards the end. Primiparous women have higher quality of life. Depression risk is 29.8 % in the 1st trimester, dropping to 22.9 % in the 3rd trimester. Social support decreases in the 3rd trimester, particularly among unmarried women. Significant positive correlations exist between quality of life and social support. Conclusion: This study emphasizes notable variations in quality of life and social support during pregnancy, impacting the health of pregnant individuals and neonates. Proposing standardization in monitoring these factors during prenatal check-ups aims to improve the physical and mental health of pregnant individuals and newborns.

2024-07-01T00:00:00Z Djatmika, Clementine Lusher, Joanne Williamson, Heidi Harcourt, Diana http://localhost:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/11619 2025-07-14T03:02:32Z 2024-07-01T00:00:00Z

Title: ‘Plan Z and then off the edge of a cliff’: An interpretative phenomenological analysis of mothers’ experience of living with a slow-to-heal Caesarean wound Authors: Djatmika, Clementine; Lusher, Joanne; Williamson, Heidi; Harcourt, Diana Abstract: Background: Studies indicate that complex postsurgical wound healing can significantly alter biopsychological markers responsible for recovery. Yet, there is a lack of research investigating women’s experience of living with slow-to-heal Caesarean birth wounds. This is an important area of investigation considering the increase of factors associated with surgical births and poor wound healing in the UK and globally. Aim: The aim of this study was to explore women’s experiences of living with a slow-to-heal Caesarean wound. Method: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with seven women who had lived experience of slow-to-heal Caesarean wounds. Narratives were analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) approach. Results: Analysis of women’s narratives revealed three interlinking superordinate themes of 1) ‘Tied to that event’: healing physical and emotional wounds, 2) The ‘good mother’ and the ‘good patient’: negotiating being a carer and being cared for, and 3) ‘Adjusting to a new normality’. Overall, slow-to-heal wounds embodied women’s perceptions of agency over their Caesarean birth experience and achievement of a new motherhood identity. Wherein, successful healing would encompass a sense of normality defined by subjective notions of regaining expected roles and daily activities, previous bodily functions, and maternal status within their families that became disrupted due to delayed wound healing. Conclusion: Women’s narratives support discourse surrounding Caesarean birth and recovery as a biopsychosocial phenomenon. This has important ramifications regarding research and treatment programmes for postnatal women with complex healing that are largely described as ‘invisible’.

2024-07-01T00:00:00Z