Iodine-only supplements for breastfeeding women: a call to action in New Zealand.

Nil.

Use of Iodine Supplements by Breastfeeding Mothers Is Associated with Better Maternal and Infant Iodine Status.

Adequate iodine status during conception, pregnancy and lactation is essential for supporting infant neurodevelopment. Iodine status in adults and children was improved after two New Zealand government initiatives, but the status of breastfeeding women is unknown. This study aimed to investigate the iodine intake and status of lactating mother-infant pairs at 3 months postpartum and to assess maternal iodine knowledge and practice.

"I did a lot of Googling": A qualitative study of exclusive breastfeeding support through social media.

Background: Little qualitative research has been done to explore the quality of breastfeeding support through social media in New Zealand.

Aim: This article aims to explore the influence of social media on exclusive breastfeeding practice.

Methods: A qualitative study involving face-to-face postpartum interviews with 30 mothers who were recruited from the lower North Island of New Zealand.

Reasons for Stopping Exclusive Breastfeeding Between Three and Six Months: A Qualitative Study.

Purpose: Scant published qualitative literature exists focusing on why exclusive breastfeeding rates decline between three and six months. This study aims to develop an understanding of why exclusive breastfeeding tails off so dramatically between three and six months after birth in New Zealand.

Design And Methods: A generic qualitative methodology was employed in this study and social constructionism selected as the main epistemological framework underpinning the research.

New Zealand women talk about breastfeeding support from male family members.

Aim: Little research has been done to investigate the influence of male family members' support for breastfeeding. This article considers the influence of male partners and other male family members on the initiation and duration of exclusive breastfeeding.

Methods: Thirty heterosexual New Zealand women who had identified in a short antenatal questionnaire that they intended to breastfeed exclusively for 6 months were recruited.

Resistance to breastfeeding: A Foucauldian analysis of breastfeeding support from health professionals.

Background: Despite widespread consensus regarding the health benefits of breastfeeding, the prevalence of six months exclusive breastfeeding is very low in developed countries including New Zealand.

Aim: This paper aims to evaluate the role that health professionals play in promoting exclusive breastfeeding in New Zealand.

Methods: Qualitative research involving face to face postpartum interviews conducted four to six weeks after the birth with 30 new mothers who lived in New Zealand and had identified in a short antenatal questionnaire that they intended to practice exclusive breastfeeding for six months.

Risk of severe postpartum hemorrhage in low-risk childbearing women in new zealand: exploring the effect of place of birth and comparing third stage management of labor.

Background: Primary postpartum hemorrhage is a leading cause of maternal mortality and morbidity internationally. Research comparing physiological (expectant) and active management of the third stage of labor favors active management, although studies to date have focused on childbirth within hospital settings, and the skill levels of birth attendants in facilitating physiological third stage of labor have been questioned. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of place of birth on the risk of postpartum hemorrhage and the effect of mode of management of the third stage of labor on severe postpartum hemorrhage.

Towards a relational model of decision-making in midwifery care.

Objective: current individualistic ideas of autonomy and decision making do not fit within the context of decision-making in the midwife-woman relationship. This article critically explores current issues around decision-making and proposes a relational decision-making model for midwifery care.

Design: qualitative prenatal and postnatal interviews around decision-making within childbirth in general, and the third stage of labour in particular.

Planned place of birth in New Zealand: does it affect mode of birth and intervention rates among low-risk women?

Background: Midwives providing care as lead maternity caregivers in New Zealand provide continuity of care to women who may give birth in a variety of settings, including home, primary units, and secondary and tertiary level hospitals. The purpose of this study was to compare mode of birth and intrapartum intervention rates for low-risk women planning to give birth in these settings under the care of midwives.

Methods: Data for a cohort of low-risk women giving birth in 2006 and 2007 were extracted from the Midwifery Maternity Provider Organisation database.

Inherited understandings: the breast as object.

This paper discusses findings from a research study that investigated the experience of being a breastfeeding woman in New Zealand. The study was motivated by a desire to better understand why the majority of New Zealand women wean their infants before 6 months of age, despite the benefits of prolonged breastfeeding being well accepted. Nineteen women, who were breastfeeding or had recently breastfed, were engaged in unstructured interviews about their experience, and the results were examined using a reflective lifeworld research methodology.

Can support and education for smoking cessation and reduction be provided effectively by midwives within primary maternity care?

Objective: To test the hypothesis that appropriate interventions delivered by midwives within usual primary maternity care, can assist women to stop or reduce the amount they smoke and facilitate longer duration of breast feeding.

Design, Setting And Participants: In a cluster randomised trial of smoking education and breast-feeding interventions in the lower North Island, New Zealand, midwives were stratified by locality and randomly allocated into a control group and three intervention groups. The control group provided usual care.

Smoking cessation and nicotine replacement therapy in current primary maternity care.

Aim: To determine attitudes, activity and confidence among general practitioners and midwives about smoking cessation practice, and use of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Method: A postal survey of 780 New Zealand health professionals providing maternity care.

Results: 274 GPs (82 practising obstetrics) and 184 midwives responded (RR: 64%), with most (88% GPs, 77% midwives) regarding providing smoking cessation advice integral to their job.

Smoking cessation in New Zealand: education and resources for use by midwives for women who smoke during pregnancy.

This study describes the development and evaluation of education programmes and associated resource materials to support smoking cessation and reduction, and breastfeeding promotion strategies for pregnant women who smoke, during usual primary maternity care by midwives. Education programmes and resource materials were developed by midwives and researchers as part of a cluster randomized trial of Midwifery Education for Women who Smoke (the MEWS study). Development included a cohort study, advice from lactation consultants and smoking cessation counsellors (including Ma-ori professionals), and early consultation with midwives who would be delivering the programmes.

The midwife's role in facilitating smoking behaviour change during pregnancy.

Objective: To explore the midwife's role in providing education and support for changes in smoking behaviour during usual primary maternity care.

Design: A qualitative study using a thematic approach to analysis of data collected in face-to-face interviews.

Setting And Participants: Eleven women who had participated in the intervention groups of the MEWS Study, a cluster randomised trial of education and support for women who smoke, and 16 midwives from the intervention and control arms of the trial.