Defining self-monitoring in postpandemic maternity care: Perspectives from women, partners, healthcare professionals, and policymakers.

Introduction: We aimed to explore the conceptualization and perception of self-monitoring amongst women, partners, healthcare professionals (HCPs), and policymakers, with particular interest in those living with social/medical complexity.

Material And Methods: Across the United Kingdom, 96 semi-structured in-depth qualitative interviews were conducted with 40 women, 15 partners, 21 HCPs, and 20 policymakers to discuss their lived experience of utilizing, delivering, or developing policy for self-monitoring during the COVID-19 pandemic. A thematic framework analysis was undertaken to develop themes, considered by participant type, ethnicity, geographical region, personal experience of self-monitoring, and social complexity, and a content analysis was used to explore how self-monitoring was conceptualized.

Psychometric Evaluation of the Validity and Reliability of the Italian Version of the London Measure of Unplanned Pregnancy Amongst Postnatal Women.

: Unplanned pregnancy is a public health issue and understanding women's decision making aids practitioners in assessing fertility trends, contraception use, and family planning counselling. In Italy, Catholicism reinforces 'natural reproduction' and 'traditional' contraception, making it an 'Imperfect Contraceptive Society.' A valid and reliable measure of pregnancy intentionality is increasingly important, and the London Measure of Unplanned Pregnancy (LMUP) has proved effective.

The relationship between virtual antenatal care and pregnancy outcomes in a diverse UK inner-city population; A group-based trajectory modelling approach using routine health records.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in major reconfiguration of maternity services, particularly an increase in virtual antenatal care. We explored associations between virtual antenatal care trajectories and pregnancy outcomes.

Methods: Pregnancy and birth outcome data were obtained from a multiethnic and socioeconomically deprived UK inner-city population before and during the pandemic (with and without lockdown).

A Protocol for the Development and Validation of the Postpartum Specific Anxiety Scale-Preterm Birth [PSAS-PTB] and the Postpartum Specific Anxiety Scale-Neonatal Intensive Care Unit [PSAS-NICU].

Objectives: To describe the development and the methodology for validation of a new scale for postpartum anxiety for mothers of preterm infants, and a 'Velcro' sub-scale of the Postpartum Specific Anxiety Scale for use with mothers who have had infants admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

Methods: We undertook three forms of iterative psychometric development: (1) Patient and public involvement and engagement discussions with key clinical, academic, and lay stakeholders to understand the needs for modifying the Postpartum Specific Anxiety Scale-Research Short Form for use in this population; (2) Expert panel ratings with clinical and academic stakeholders; and (3) Cognitive interviews with mothers to ensure items were relevant, comprehensive, and understandable. Planned studies must ensure the psychometric properties of these two new scales.

Influencing Factors and Satisfaction with Body and Genital Image in Women Undergoing Genital Cosmetic Surgery: A Randomized, Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: The trend of female genital cosmetic surgery (FGCS) is growing. Aesthetic concerns are cited as the primary reason for female genital cosmetic surgery (FGCS).

Objectives: Current research sought to assess body and genital image along with associated factors among various groups of FGCS and women who do not wish to undergo FGCS.

Setting the Research Priorities for Pregnancy Scanning: A Nationally co-produced vision with expectant women, the public and healthcare professionals.

Objectives: Despite sonography studies being integral to routine high quality antenatal care, clinical research in this field is less commonly initiated or led by sonography professionals. It is also unclear what the research priorities are for service users within the UK's sonography screening and diagnostic pathway.

Methods: Here, we present a national priority setting partnership project, which included two surveys which were co-produced with the oversight of a stakeholder PSP group comprising service users and healthcare professionals, n = 12.

The Impact of Culture on Access to and Utilisation of Maternity Care Amongst Muslim Women in High-Income Countries: A Qualitative Systematic Review.

Background: Global human migration has highlighted the need to provide culturally appropriate maternity care, delivered in accordance with the recipient's beliefs and practices.

Objectives: This review aims to examine the impact of culture on access, utilisation, and care delivery of care for Muslim women during pregnancy and postpartum through the experiences of women, families, and maternity care-providers.

Search Strategy: Six electronic databases were searched for published qualitative and mixed-methods studies, in English (01/January/2003-12/October/2023).

Diversity of representation in pregnancy research: A national mixed-methods survey of women's perceptions and experiences in the United Kingdom.

Aim: To explore the experiences and perceptions of women who may take part in antenatal research, including their perceived motivators, enablers, and barriers to participating in research with a sub-analysis of under-represented groups.

Methods: A mixed-methods parallel explanatory design was employed, and a national semi-structured online survey was circulated nationally using a start to end participatory framework. Likert scale responses and participant experience and demographic data were cross-tabulated to explore the differences between groups using descriptive and non-parametric statistics.

Women's Childbirth Experiences in the WILL Randomised Trial (When to Induce Labour to Limit Risk in Pregnancy Hypertension): A Mixed Methods Analysis.

Objective: To compare childbirth satisfaction in women with chronic or gestational hypertension, randomised to 'planned early term birth at 38 weeks' gestation' (intervention) or 'usual care at term' (control).

Design: Randomised trial.

Setting: Forty-two consultant-led maternity units, United Kingdom.

Women's psychological experiences of preterm labour and birth which results in an intrapartum stillbirth or a neonatal death: an empty systematic review.

Introduction: Nearly three quarters of stillbirths and neonatal deaths occur in infants born prematurely. The mothers of these children may be at increased risk of developing mental health difficulties as a result of their premature labour and/or subsequent loss.

Methods: This systematic review was conducted to understand the psychological experiences of mothers who gave birth prematurely to a baby who subsequently dies as a result of an intrapartum stillbirth or a neonatal death.

The relationship between prenatal anxiety and gestational age: A systematic review.

Preterm birth poses a significant risk to short- and long-term infant health, and can have significant negative effects on maternal mental health. Increased levels of anxiety during pregnancy might be related to gestational age. Identifying potential risk factors for preterm birth may offer the opportunity for early intervention and reduce adverse outcomes.

Pregnancy-Related Venous Thromboembolism Risk Perception and Prevention in Risk-Averse Times-Significant Change Required: a Commentary.

Between 2020 and 2022 in the United Kingdom (UK), there were 45 maternal deaths from venous thromboembolism (VTE), out of more than 2 million maternities. This occurred despite extensive risk assessment and prescribing of low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) thromboprophylaxis, alongside clinicians' overestimate of risk and commitment to the cause. Whilst every maternal death is a tragedy, the challenge ahead is immense-to identify, in an efficient and consistent way, those few women at risk of life-threatening thrombosis, and then minimise that risk with a cost-effective therapy that is acceptable to pregnant and postpartum women, and does not do more harm than good.

From mourning to memorialising - A lasting connection through remembrance: The role of memory making in preserving the identity of parenthood amongst women who have suffered a perinatal bereavement.

Problem: Perinatal bereavement can severely disrupt women's anticipated role as mothers, affecting their psychological wellbeing and identity as parents.

Background: Existing research highlights many women report persistent and enduring grief for months or even years post-loss, highlighting the urgent need for interventions to help maintain a healthy parental identity and mitigate long-term mental health impacts.

Aim: To explore how memory-making practices, supported by compassionate care, serve to preserve the parental identity of bereaved mothers after perinatal loss.

Prevent-PE (pre-eclampsia prevention by timed birth at term): Protocol for a randomised trial.

Objectives: To evaluate whether term pre-eclampsia (PE) is reduced by screening for PE risk at 35 + 0-36 + 6 weeks' gestation and offering risk-based, planned early term birth.

Study Design: 'PREVENT-PE' is a multicentre, randomised trial (ISRCTN41632964).

Inclusion: Singleton pregnancy, presentation for routine fetal ultrasound at 35 + 0-36 + 6 weeks', and can give informed consent.

A consensus statement on child and family health during the COVID-19 pandemic and recommendations for post-pandemic recovery and re-build.

Introduction: As health systems struggled to respond to the catastrophic effects of SARS-CoV-2, infection prevention and control measures significantly impacted on the delivery of non-COVID children's and family health services. The prioritisation of public health measures significantly impacted supportive relationships, revealed their importance for both mental and physical health and well-being. Drawing on findings from an expansive national collaboration, and with the well-being of children and young people in mind, we make recommendations here for post-pandemic recovery and re-build.

Psychosocial experiences of pregnant women during the COVID-19 pandemic: a UK-wide study of prevalence rates and risk factors for clinically relevant depression and anxiety.

Whilst the antenatal period is well established as a period of increased vulnerability to mental health difficulties, restrictions resulting from COVID-19 lockdown in the UK are likely to have negatively affected psychosocial outcomes in these women. This study aimed to describe prevalence rates of clinically relevant antenatal anxiety and depression, and explore whether psychosocial changes as a result of the pandemic were predictive of clinically relevant anxiety and depression. Antenatal women ( = 684) completed an online survey of psychosocial measures during the UK government's initial lockdown restrictions.

The OptiBreech Trial Feasibility Study: A Qualitative Inventory of the Roles and Responsibilities of Breech Specialist Midwives.

Background: The safety of vaginal breech birth is associated with the skill and experience of professionals in attendance, but minimal training opportunities exist. OptiBreech collaborative care is an evidence-based care bundle, based on previous research. This care pathway is designed to improve access to care and the safety of vaginal breech births, when they occur, through dedicated breech clinics and intrapartum support.

Knights in shining armour and (M)others in life jackets: Women's experiences of advocating for care alone when suffering recurrent early pregnancy loss during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic.

Background: Recurrent early pregnancy loss [rEPL] is a traumatic experience, marked by feelings such as grief and depression, and often anxiety. Despite this, the psychological consequences of rEPL are often overlooked, particularly when considering future reproductive health or approaching subsequent pregnancies. The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic led to significant reconfiguration of maternity care and a negative impact on the perinatal experience, but the specific impact on women's experience of rEPL has yet to be explored.

Anxiety, depression, and perceived wellbeing in antenatal women at risk of preterm birth: a retrospective cohort study.

Introduction: Women identified at risk for preterm may be vulnerable to developing mental health difficulties due to the increased likelihood of poor pregnancy outcome and uncertainty surrounding their delivery. Formal assessment of mental wellbeing in specialist preterm birth clinics is not routinely offered, but may offer the opportunity for early intervention.

Methods: We aimed to investigate if demographic characteristics and obstetric risk factors were associated with psychological wellbeing in women at risk of preterm birth.

Healthcare providers' experiences of maternity care service delivery during the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom: a follow-up systematic review and qualitative evidence synthesis.

Problem And Background: During the COVID-19 pandemic, there was substantial reconfiguration of maternity care services, affecting both users and healthcare providers (HCPs), in the United Kingdom (UK) and globally.

Aim: To further our understanding of the impact of maternity service reconfigurations in the UK, from the perspective of maternity HCPs.

Methods: Scopus, MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, PsycINFO and the Cochrane COVID Study Register were searched for relevant studies reporting qualitative data from the UK, published in English between 01 June 2021 and 30 September 2023.

Comparison of Sexual Function, Satisfaction, and Assertiveness in Genital Cosmetic Surgery Groups: A Randomized-Sampling Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: Sexual dissatisfaction is one of the main motivations for seeking female genital cosmetic surgery (FGCS), though the outcomes of such surgeries are controversial.

Objectives: Evaluation of the sexual function, satisfaction, and assertiveness in FGCS groups.

Methods: From five clinical centers in Tehran, Iran, 200 women in the study group (women seeking or had undergone labiaplasty (LP), women seeking or had undergone multi-procedure (MP) of FGCS simultaneously) and the control group were randomly selected.

Current policy and practice for the identification, management, and treatment of postpartum anxiety in the United Kingdom: a focus group study.

Background: Postpartum Anxiety [PPA] is a prevalent problem in society, posing a significant burden to women, infant health, and the National Health Service [NHS]. Despite this, it is poorly detected by current maternal mental health practices. Due to the current lack of appropriate psychometric measures, insufficiency in training of healthcare professionals, fragmentation of maternal mental healthcare policy and practice, and the magnitude of the effects of PPA on women and their infants, PPA is a critical research priority.

Post-Pandemic Maternity Care Planning for Vaccination: A Qualitative Study of the Experiences of Women, Partners, Health Care Professionals, and Policy Makers in the United Kingdom.

Maternal vaccination during pregnancy, in general and against COVID-19 infection, offers protection to both mother and baby, but uptake remains suboptimal. This study aimed to explore the perceptions regarding COVID-19 vaccination in pregnancy, particularly for marginalised populations and those living with social or medical complexity. A total of 96 semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with 40 women, 15 partners, 21 HCPs, and 20 policy makers, across all four nations of the United Kingdom (UK), discussing their lived experience of utilising, delivering, or developing policy for COVID-19 vaccination in pregnancy during the pandemic.