Early Hospital Discharge in Maternal and Newborn Care

Discharge time after birth is associated with parity - A retrospective cohort study

Background

All healthy mothers with uncomplicated births are recommended to be discharged directly from the labour ward a few hours after birth as a change in practice in three hospitals in Denmark. However, despite this practice, there is limited knowledge about when mothers leave the hospital after birth in clinical practice.

Objective

The aim of this study is to examine 1) when mothers are discharged from hospital after birth, 2) if discharge time from the hospital after birth is associated with parity, and 3) which factors are associated with discharge time.

Methods

This retrospective study is based on data from the North Denmark Regional Hospital and included mothers giving vaginal birth from March 25, 2019 to April 10, 2021.

Results

A total of 1990 mothers were included. Nearly 50% of the new mothers stayed at the hospital less than 6 h after birth (26% of primiparous women vs 64% of multiparous women). Primiparous women had an adjusted RR 0.44 (95% CI 0.39-0.49) for discharge ≤6 h, RR 1.71 (95% CI 1.15-2.54) for discharge >6-12 h, and RR 3.76 (95% CI 3.03-4.67) for discharge >48 h after birth compared to multiparous women. Multiparous women's adjusted RR for discharge >6-12 h was 0.15 (95% CI 0.12-0.20) and for discharge >48 h 0.16 (95% CI 0.14-0.20) compared to discharge less than 6 h after birth. Furthermore, smoking, low education level, and younger age were associated with early discharge.

Conclusion

There is a significant association with parity and discharge time after birth and factors related to discharge time which healthcare professionals should be aware of when planning inpatient and outpatient care. In addition, healthcare professionals should be aware of mothers discharged early who are smoking, of younger age, lower education level or multiparity.

Discharge preparation and readiness after birth: a scoping review of global policies, guidelines and literature

BACKGROUND

Despite the existence of global recommendations, postnatal care provided following childbirth is variable and often fails to address a woman's concerns about herself and the parents' concerns about their baby. Discharge from a facility after birth is a key moment to ensure the woman, parents and newborn receive support for the transition to care in the home. We mapped the current policies, guidance and literature on discharge preparation and readiness to identify key concepts and evidence and inform recommendations to be considered in a World Health Organization (WHO) guidance on postnatal care.

METHODS

We were guided by the Johanna Briggs Institute approach, and developed inclusion criteria based on existing defintions of discharge preparation and readiness, and criteria for discharge readiness compiled by international professional organisaitons. To identify guidelines and policies we searched websites and archives of guideline organisations, and contacted individuals and professional societies working on postnatal care. We searched 14 electronic databases to locate published research and other literature on discharge preparation and readiness. For documents that met the inclusion criteria we extracted key characteristics, summarised discharge readiness criteria and components and discharge preparation steps, and characterised interventions to improve discharge preparation.

RESULTS

The review provides a systematic map of criteria for discharge that are in use and the common steps healthcare providers take in preparing women and newborns for the transition home. The mapping also identified interventions used to strengthen discharge preparation, theories and models that conceptualise discharge preparation, scales for measuring discharge readiness and qualitative studies on the perspectives of women, men and healthcare providers on postnatal discharge.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings highlight contrasts between the research literature and policy documents. They indicate potential gaps in current discharge policies, and point to the need for more comprehensive discharge assessment and education to better identify and meet the needs of women, parents/caregivers and families prior to discharge and identify those who may require additional support.

PROTOCOL REGISTRATION DETAILS

The protocol for the review was registered with protocols.io on 23 November 2020: https://doi.org/10.17504/protocols.io.bpzymp7w.

Challenges and Feasibility of Co-Design Methods for Improving Parent Information in Maternity Care

This study explored the feasibility of using experience-based co-design methods (EBCD), based on participatory action principles, to improve service delivery regarding parent information needs within a metropolitan postnatal maternity unit. Data were collected from January 2018 to March 2019 from parents and staff using surveys, video interviews, a focus group and ward observations of episodes where parents were provided information. Participants included postnatal mothers who had recently given birth, their partners and hospital staff. Survey results (n = 31) were positive regarding content and satisfaction with information delivery. Data from the staff focus group (seven participants) and in-depth video interviews with mothers (n = 4) identified common themes, including challenges to information delivery due to time pressures, the value of breastfeeding advice and environmental influences. Overall, parents were satisfied with the information delivered; however, inconsistencies were present, with time pressures and other environmental factors reported as influencing the process. Staff and parents both identified the amount of content being delivered in such a short time frame as a major challenge and tailoring information was difficult due to individual experiences and circumstances. Additional resources or alternative methods are suggested for conducting future studies to capture patient experience within a similar busy hospital setting.

The Risk of Readmission after Early Postpartum Discharge during the COVID-19 Pandemic

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether early postpartum discharge during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic was associated with a change in the odds of maternal postpartum readmissions.

STUDY DESIGN

This is a retrospective analysis of uncomplicated postpartum low-risk women in seven obstetrical units within a large New York health system. We compared the rate of postpartum readmissions within 6 weeks of delivery between two groups: low-risk women who had early postpartum discharge as part of our protocol during the COVID-19 pandemic (April 1-June 15, 2020) and similar low-risk patients with routine postpartum discharge from the same study centers 1 year prior. Statistical analysis included the use of Wilcoxon's rank-sum and chi-squared tests, Nelson-Aalen cumulative hazard curves, and multivariate logistic regression.

RESULTS

Of the 8,206 patients included, 4,038 (49.2%) were patients who had early postpartum discharge during the COVID-19 pandemic and 4,168 (50.8%) were patients with routine postpartum discharge prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. The rates of postpartum readmissions after vaginal delivery (1.0 vs. 0.9%; adjusted odds ratio [OR]: 0.75, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.39-1.45) and cesarean delivery (1.5 vs. 1.9%; adjusted OR: 0.65, 95% CI: 0.29-1.45) were similar between the two groups. Demographic risk factors for postpartum readmission included Medicaid insurance and obesity.

CONCLUSION

Early postpartum discharge during the COVID-19 pandemic was associated with no change in the odds of maternal postpartum readmissions after low-risk vaginal or cesarean deliveries. Early postpartum discharge for low-risk patients to shorten hospital length of stay should be considered in the face of public health crises.

KEY POINTS

· Early postpartum discharge was not associated with an increase in odds of hospital readmissions after vaginal delivery.. · Early postpartum discharge was not associated with an increase in odds of hospital readmissions after cesarean delivery.. · Early postpartum discharge for low-risk patients should be considered during a public health crisis..

Early discharge from hospital after birth:How Norwegian parents experience postnatal home visits by midwives - A qualitative study

BACKGROUND

According to the WHO, the quality of care is not conditioned by the length of stay at the postnatal ward. As long as the postnatal care provided is of high quality, it could be better for the family to stay in their home.

AIM

Firstly, to examine parents' experiences of early discharge and home visits by the postnatal ward midwife, in cases where the mother and baby have been discharged within 24 h after birth. Secondly, to examine participants' motivation for opting for early discharge from the hospital.

METHODS

10 individual interviews were conducted, including five where both parents were present. The interviews were carried out 4-12 weeks after birth. The data were analysed using systematic text condensation.

RESULTS

The choice of early discharge was influenced by external factors like a wish to be together as a family while receiving sufficient support from both family and midwife. Internal factors, like previous experience, were also significant. The presence and attitude of the midwife, both in professional and practical terms, affected how the parents perceived postnatal care. Home visits from the midwife also affected the parents' feeling of security.

CONCLUSION

An offer of home visits from the midwife of the postnatal ward enables parents who wish to leave the hospital shortly after birth to receive the necessary care and support in the early postnatal period. This offer is suitable for healthy women who have given birth to a healthy baby and wish to return home not long after birth.

Early discharge of first-time parents and their newborn: A scoping review

INTRODUCTION

This scoping review aims to identify the evidence and the factors influencing the outcomes of early discharge of both healthy first-time mothers and newborns.

METHODS

Systematic searches were conducted using four databases up to February 2021, and a search for grey literature was performed. A total of 2030 articles were identified and reduced to 13 articles, and one article was added through chain search in reference lists. The aims of the identified studies, the methodology, participants, inclusion and exclusion criteria, and the setting, context, and findings are summarized.

RESULTS

A total of 14 studies were included. A thematic analysis identified the following factors influencing the outcomes of discharge within 24 hours after birth: parental education in pregnancy, perinatal information before discharge, sources of support, and follow-up strategies after discharge. Also, the analysis identified outcomes such as breastfeeding, parents' experience and readmission of the newborn that may be influenced when first-time parents are discharged within 24 hours after birth. Findings in this review highlight the importance of identifying factors and outcomes related to early discharge. However, because of the heterogeneity in methodology, terminology and assessment procedures used in the retrieved articles, the generalization of study results is limited.

CONCLUSIONS

A gap in the literature about the outcomes of discharge within 24 hours after birth has been identified. Future studies with strong evidence are needed, defining criteria, context, and intervention.

Experiences of primary care physicians managing postpartum care: a qualitative research study

BACKGROUND

The postpartum period is redefined as 12 weeks following childbirth. Primary care physicians (PCP) often manage postpartum women in the community after uneventful childbirths. Postpartum care significantly impacts on the maternal and neonatal physical and mental health. However, evidence has revealed unmet needs in postpartum maternal care.

AIM

The study aimed to explore the experiences of PCPs in managing postpartum mothers.

METHODS

Four focus group discussions and eleven in-depth interviews with twenty-nine PCPs were conducted in this qualitative research study in urban Singapore. PCPs of both gender and variable postgraduate training background were purposively enrolled. Audited transcripts were independently coded by two investigators. Thematic content analysis was performed using the codes to identify issues in the "clinician", "mother", "postpartum care" and "healthcare system & policy" domains stipulated in "The Generalists' Wheel of Knowledge, Understanding and Inquiry" framework.

FINDINGS

PCPs' personal attributes such as gender and knowledge influenced their postpartum care delivery. Prior training, child caring experience and access to resource materials contributed to their information mastery of postpartum care. Their professional relationship with local multi-ethic and multi-lingual Asian mothers was impacted by their mutual communication, language compatibility and understanding of local confinement practices. Consultation time constraint, awareness of community postnatal services and inadequate handover of care from the specialists hindered PCPs in the healthcare system.

DISCUSSION

Personal, maternal and healthcare system barriers currently prevent PCPs from delivering optimal postpartum care.

CONCLUSION

Interventions to overcome the barriers to improve postpartum care will likely be multi-faceted across domains discussed.

Early postpartum discharge during the COVID-19 pandemic

Objectives To report our experience with early postpartum discharge to decrease hospital length of stay among low-risk puerperium patients in a large obstetrical service during the COVID-19 pandemic in New York. Methods Retrospective analysis of all uncomplicated postpartum women in seven obstetrical units within a large health system between December 8th, 2019 and June 20th, 2020. Women were stratified into two groups based on date of delivery in relation to the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in New York (Mid-March 2020); those delivering before or during the COVID-19 pandemic. We compared hospital length of stay, defined as time interval from delivery to discharge in hours, between the two groups and correlated it with the number of COVID-19 admissions to our hospitals. Statistical analysis included use of Wilcoxon rank sum test and Chi-squared test with significance defined as p-value<0.05. Results Of the 11,770 patients included, 5,893 (50.1%) delivered prior to and 5,877 (49.9%) delivered during the COVID-19 pandemic. We detected substantial shortening in postpartum hospital length of stay after vaginal delivery (34 vs. 48 h, p≤0.0001) and cesarean delivery (51 vs. 74 h, p≤0.0001) during the COVID-19 pandemic. Conclusions We report successful implementation of early postpartum discharge for low-risk patients resulting in a significantly shorter hospital stay during the COVID-19 pandemic in New York. The impact of this strategy on resource utilization, patient satisfaction and adverse outcomes requires further study.

Self-efficacy, support and sustainability - a qualitative study of the experience of establishing breastfeeding for first-time Australian mothers following early discharge

Background

Ensuring women receive optimal breastfeeding support is of key importance to the health of mothers and their infants. Early discharge within 24 h of birth is increasingly common across Australia, and the practice of postnatal home visiting varies between settings. The reduction in length of stay without expansion of home visits reduces midwives’ ability to support breastfeeding. The impact of early discharge on first-time mothers establishing breastfeeding was unknown. The study aim was to understand the experiences of first-time Australian mothers establishing breastfeeding when discharged from the hospital within 24 h of a normal vaginal birth.

Methods

A qualitative interpretive method was used. Semi-structured interviews with 12 women following early discharge were conducted. Data were audio recorded, professionally transcribed, and subjected to a thematic analysis.

Results

Three interconnected themes of ‘self-efficacy’, ‘support’ and ‘sustainability’ were identified. Self-efficacy influenced the women’s readiness and motivation to be discharged home early and played a role in how some of the mothers overcame breastfeeding challenges. Social, semi-professional and professional breastfeeding supports were key in women’s experiences. Sustainability referred to and describes what women valued in relation to continuation of their breastfeeding journey.

Conclusion

This study found accessible people-based breastfeeding services in the community are valued following early discharge. Furthermore, there is demand for more evidence-based breastfeeding educational resources, potentially in the form of interactive applications or websites. Additionally, a focus on holistic and individualised breastfeeding assessment and care plans prior to discharge that link women with ongoing breastfeeding services is paramount.

Fetal and Placental Weight in Pre-Gestational Maternal Obesity (PGMO) vs. Excessive Gestational Weight Gain (EGWG)-A Preliminary Approach to the Perinatal Outcomes in Diet-Controlled Gestational Diabetes Mellitus

Both pre-gestational maternal obesity (PGMO) and excessive gestational weight gain (EGWG) increase the risk of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Here, we conducted a retrospective study to comparatively examine the relation between fetal birth weight (FW) and placental weight (PW) in PGMO (n = 100) compared to EGWG (n = 100) with respect to perinatal outcomes in diet-controlled GDM. The control group was made up of 100 healthy pregnancies. The mean FW and the mean PW in EGWG were correlated with lowered fetal weight/placental weight ratio (FW/PW ratio). The percentage of births completed by cesarean section accounted for 47%, 32%, and 18% of all deliveries (EGWG, PGMO, and controls, respectively), with the predominance of FW-related indications for cesarean section. Extended postpartum hospital stays due to neonate were more frequent in EGWG, especially due to neonatal jaundice (p < 0.05). The results indicate the higher perinatal risk in mothers with EGWG compared to PGMO during GDM-complicated pregnancy. Further in-depth comparative studies involving larger patient pools are needed to validate these findings, the intent of which is to formulate guidelines for GDM patients in respect to management of PGMO and EGWG.

Length of hospital stay after cesarean section in Denmark from 2004 to 2016: A national register-based study

INTRODUCTION

Length of hospital stay after birth has decreased during the last decades, but nationwide data on length of hospital stay after cesarean section are lacking. Elements of Enhanced Recovery Programs were reported to reduce the length of hospital stay. The aim of this nationwide study was to describe the length of hospital stay after cesarean section in Denmark from 2004 to 2016 taking into account birth- and health-related factors as well as demographic changes and, further, to assess potential differences between the five Danish regions.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Length of hospital stay was assessed in 164 209 deliveries by cesarean section in Denmark from 2004 to 2016. Data were obtained from the Danish National Patient Register. All deliveries by cesarean section at gestational age <22 weeks were excluded. Median length of hospital stay was reported based on crude and adjusted analyses.

RESULTS

The median length of hospital stay was significantly reduced by 39 hours (95% confidence interval [CI] 37.9-40.1), from 97 hours (4.0 days) in 2004 to 58 hours (2.4 days) in 2016. Reductions were observed among both planned and emergency cesarean sections. When birth- and health-related factors as well as demographic changes were accounted for, median length of hospital stay was reduced by 30 hours (95% CI 29.3-30.8) in the period. The decrease in length of hospital stay from 2004 to 2016 varied between the five Danish regions, with adjusted reductions between 19 and 46 hours.

CONCLUSIONS

A nationwide decrease in length of hospital stay after cesarean section was observed from 2004 to 2016 across all five regions but with significant regional variations. Further studies on the optimal length of hospital stay are needed, especially with regard to implementation of enhanced recovery programs.

Determinants of Length of Stay After Vaginal Deliveries in the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region (North-Eastern Italy), 2005-2015

Although length of stay (LoS) after childbirth has been diminishing in several high-income countries in recent decades, the evidence on the impact of early discharge (ED) on healthy mothers and term newborns after vaginal deliveries (VD) is still inconclusive and little is known on the characteristics of those discharged early. We conducted a population-based study in Friuli Venezia Giulia (FVG) during 2005-2015, to investigate the mean LoS and the percentage of LoS longer than our proposed ED benchmarks following VD: 2 days after spontaneous vaginal deliveries (SVD) and 3 days post instrumental vaginal deliveries (IVD). We employed a multivariable logistic as well as a linear regression model, adjusting for a considerable number of factors pertaining to health-care setting and timeframe, maternal health factors, newborn clinical factors, obstetric history factors, socio-demographic background and present obstetric conditions. Results were expressed as odds ratios (OR) and regression coefficients (RC) with 95% confidence interval (95%CI). The adjusted mean LoS was calculated by level of pregnancy risk (high vs. low). Due to a very high number of multiple tests performed we employed the procedure proposed by Benjamini-Hochberg (BH) as a further selection criterion to calculate the BH p-value for the respective estimates. During 2005-2015, the average LoS in FVG was 2.9 and 3.3 days after SVD and IVD respectively, and the pooled regional proportion of LoS > ED was 64.4% for SVD and 32.0% for IVD. The variation of LoS across calendar years was marginal for both vaginal delivery modes (VDM). The adjusted mean LoS was higher in IVD than SVD, and although a decline of LoS > ED and mean LoS over time was observed for both VDM, there was little variation of the adjusted mean LoS by nationality of the woman and by level of pregnancy risk (high vs. low). By contrast, the adjusted figures for hospitals with shortest (centres A and G) and longest (centre B) mean LoS  were 2.3 and 3.4 days respectively, among "low risk" pregnancies. The corresponding figures for "high risk" pregnancies were 2.5 days for centre A/G and 3.6 days for centre B. Therefore, the shift from "low" to "high" risk pregnancies in all three latter centres (A, B and G) increased the mean adjusted LoS just by 0.2 days. By contrast, the discrepancy between maternity centres with highest and lowest adjusted mean LoS post SVD (hospital B vs. A/G) was 1.1 days both among "low risk" (1.1 = 3.4-2.3 days) and "high risk" (1.1 = 3.6-2.5) pregnanices. Similar patterns were obseved also for IVD. Our adjusted regression models confirmed that maternity centres were the main explanatory factor for LoS after childbirth in both VDM. Therefore, health and clinical factors were less influential than practice patterns in determining LoS after VD. Hospitalization and discharge policies following childbirth in FVG should follow standardized guidelines, to be enforced at hospital level. Any prolonged LoS post VD (LoS > ED) should be reviewed and audited if need be. Primary care services within the catchment areas of the maternity centres of FVG should be improved to implement the follow up of puerperae undergoing ED after VD.

Length of stay following cesarean sections: A population based study in the Friuli Venezia Giulia region (North-Eastern Italy), 2005-2015

BACKGROUND

Births by cesarean section (CS) usually require longer recovery time, and as a result women remain hospitalized longer following CS than vaginal delivery (VD). A number of strategies have been proposed to reduce avoidable health care costs associated with childbirth. Among these, the containment of length of hospital stay (LoS) has been identified as an important quality indicator of obstetric care and performance efficiency of maternity centres. Since improvement of obstetric care at hospital level needs quantitative evidence, we compared the maternity services of an Italian region on LoS post CS.

METHODS

We conducted a population-based study in Friuli Venezia Giulia (FVG), a region of North-Eastern Italy, collecting data from all its 12 maternity centres (coded from A to K) during 2005-2015. We fitted a multivariable logistic regression using LoS as a binary outcome, higher/lower than the international early discharge (ED) cutoffs for CS (4 days), controlling for hospitals as well as several factors related to the clinical conditions of the mothers and the newborn, the obstetric history and socio-demographic background. Results were expressed as adjusted odds ratios (aOR) with 95% confidence interval (95%CI). Population attributable risks (PARs) were also calculated as proportional variation of LoS>ED for each hospital in the ideal scenario of having the same performance as centre J (the reference) during calendar year 2015. Results were expressed as PAR with 95%CI. Differences in mean LoS were also investigated with a multivariable linear regression model including the same explanatory factors of the above multiple logistic regression. Results were expressed as adjusted regression coefficients (aRC) with 95%CI.

RESULTS

Although decreasing over the years (5.0 ± 1.7 days in 2005 vs. 4.4 ± 1.7 days in 2015), the pooled mean LoS in the whole FVG during these 11 years was still 4.7 ± 1.7 days, higher than respective international ED benchmark. The significant decreasing trend of LoS>ED over time in FVG (aOR = 0.89; 95%CI: 0.88; 0.90) was marginal as compared to the variability of LoS>ED observed among the various maternity services. Regardless it was expressed as aRC or aOR, LoS after CS was lowest in hospital C, highest in hospital D and intermediate in centres I, K, G, F, A, H, E, B and J (in descending order). The aOR of LoS being longer than ED ranged from 1.63 (95%CI:1.46; 1.81) in hospital B up to 32.09 (95%CI: 25.68; 40.10) in facility D. When hospitals were ranked by PAR the same pattern was found, even if restricting the analysis to low risk pregnancies.

CONCLUSIONS

Although significantly decreasing over time, the mean LoS in FVG during 2005-2015 was 4.7 days, higher than the international threshold recommended for CS. There was substantial variability in LoS by facility centre, suggesting that internal organizational processes of single hospitals should be improved by enforcing standardized guidelines and using audits, economic incentives and penalties if need be.

Length of stay following vaginal deliveries: A population based study in the Friuli Venezia Giulia region (North-Eastern Italy), 2005-2015

BACKGROUND

Lengths of hospital stay (LoS) after childbirth that are too long have a number of health, social and economic drawbacks. For this reason, in several high-income countries LoS has been reduced over the past decades and early discharge (ED) is increasingly applied to low-risk mothers and newborns.

METHODS

We conducted a population-based study investigating LoS after chilbirth across all 12 maternity centres of Friuli Venezia-Giulia (FVG), North-Eastern Italy, using a database capturing all registered births in the region from 2005 to 2015 (11 years). Adjusting for clinical factors (clinical conditions of the mother and the newborn), socio-demographic bakground and obstetric history with multivariable logistic regression, we ranked facility centres for LoS that were longer than our proposed ED benchmarks (defined as >2 days for spontaneous vaginal deliveries and >3 days for instrumental vaginal deliveries). The reference was hospital A, a national excellence centre for maternal and child health.

RESULTS

The total number of births examined in our database was 109,550, of which 109,257 occurred in hospitals. During these 11 years, the number of births significantly diminished over time, and the pooled mean LoS for spontaneous vaginal deliveries in the whole FVG was 2.9 days. There was a significantly decreasing trend in the proportion of women remaining admitted more than the respective ED cutoffs for both delivery modes. The percentage of women staying longer that the ED benchmarks varied extensively by facility centre, ranging from 32% to 97% for spontaneous vaginal deliveries and 15% to 64% for instrumental vaginal deliveries. All hospitals but G were by far more likely to surpass the ED cutoff for spontaneous deliveries. As compared with hospital A, the most significant adjusted ORs for LoS overcoming the ED thresholds for spontaneous vaginal deliveries were: 89.38 (78.49-101.78); 26.47 (22.35-31.36); 10.42 (9.49-11.44); 10.30 (9.45-11.21) and 8.40 (7.68-9.19) for centres B, D, I, K and E respectively. By contrast the OR was 0.77 (95%CI: 0.72-0.83) for centre G. Similar mitigated patterns were observed also for instrumental vaginal deliveiries.

CONCLUSIONS

For spontaneous vaginal deliveries the mean LoS in the whole FVG was shorter than 3.4 days, the average figure most recently reported for the whole of Italy, but higher than other countries' with health systems similar to Italy's. Since our results are controlled for the effect of all other factors, the between-hospital variability we found is likely attributable to the health care provider itself. It can be argued that some maternity centres of FVG may have had ecocomic interest in longer LoS after childbirth, although fear of medico-legal backlashes, internal organizational malfunctions of hospitals and scarce attention of ward staff on performance efficiency shall not be ruled out. It would be therefore important to ensure higher level of coordination between the various maternity services of FVG, which should follow standardized protocols to pursue efficiency of care and allow comparability of health outcomes and costs among them. Improving the performance of FVG and Italian hospitals requires investment in primary care services.

Psychoeducational Intervention for Perinatal Depression: Study Protocol of a Randomized Controlled Trial

Perinatal depression (PD) is a severe and disabling condition impacting negatively on children in terms of adverse neonatal outcomes and on the well-being of women and their families. All pregnant women attending the unit of Gynecology and Obstetrics Service of the University of Campania "L. Vanvitelli" will be screened for PD using the Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale (EPDS). Women with a score ≥10 at the EPDS will be invited to receive a full psychiatric assessment. The required sample size is of 126 women with PD which will be randomly allocated to either an experimental group, receiving a uni-familiar psychoeducational intervention, or to a control group, receiving the Best Treatment Option (BTO). Patients will be evaluated through several assessment instruments: Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D), Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A), Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF), Clinical Global Impression (CGI), Manchester Short Assessment of Quality of Life (MANSA), Family Assessment Device (FAD), Family Coping Questionnaire (FCQ), and Pattern of Care Schedule (PCS). Patients will be evaluated at baseline, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months post-randomization. The severity of depressive symptoms at the HAM-D scale has been selected as primary outcome. Other outcome measures include improvement in the severity of anxiety symptoms, of global and personal functioning, an improvement in family members' coping strategies and in the level of quality of life. It has been highlighted the importance of developing screening and treating programs for PD, and our study will use rigorous study design to evaluate the efficacy of the adaption of a well-known family psychoeducational model to the treatment of PD. The aims of present trial are to: (1) develop an informative package for pregnant women with PD; (2) promote a screening programme for PD; (3) identify those (socio-demographic and pregnancy-related environmental) factors associated with a higher risk to develop a perinatal or postnatal depression; (4) evaluate the efficacy of a new experimental psychoeducational intervention in reducing the depressive symptoms during pregnancy compared to the BTO.

"Dad - a practical guy in the shadow": Fathers' experiences of their paternal role as a father during early discharge after birth and readmission of their newborns

OBJECTIVES

The aim is to explore how new fathers experience early discharge after birth and readmission of their newborn in relation to their role and involvement as a father. Fathers of today are active participants during pregnancy, birth and in the care of the newborn. Still studies demonstrate that health care professionals are unsuccessful at involving fathers in ante- and postnatal care. How fathers experience their paternal role in the early postnatal period may affect the well-being of the new family.

STUDY DESIGN

A qualitative study inspired by the hermeneutic approach. Data was collected through telephone interviews. The study was conducted in the Region of Southern Denmark in a University Hospital setting. Convenience sampling was applied. Eight fathers were included from November 2015 till February 2016 and six were interviewed.

RESULTS

The data analysis revealed three categories: Early discharge - ups and downs, Readmission -waiting but being in good hands, and Practical guy in the shadow.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study points at fathers being comfortable with being discharged early, but experienced insecurity when at home. The fathers experienced to be categorized by health care professionals as the practical guy, who had to assist the mother. Yet fathers saw themselves as equal to the mothers. Fathers also saw themselves in the shadow of the mother and showed greater considerations for the mother's feelings than their own. Fathers can be insecure in their paternal role when being met as just the practical guy.

The care needs of postpartum women taking their first time of doing the month: a qualitative study

BACKGROUND

In contemporary Taiwan, after giving birth, many women undertake a traditional postpartum practice called 'doing the month', which occurs in the medical context of postpartum nursing centres instead of at home. Thus, healthcare workers must identify and address the care needs of new mothers in this setting to improve the care of new mothers and their baby and family.

AIM

To explore new mothers' care needs from their own perspectives during the period of doing the month.

METHODS

A qualitative study was performed. Eligible participants recruited through purposive sampling were interviewed comprehensively.

RESULTS

Twenty-seven primiparous women participated (mean age: 32 years; mean marriage length: 3.4 years). Four themes were identified: the need to increase energy to gain more yang force, the need to internalise mothering, the need to be supported by the family and friends, and the need to be understood.

CONCLUSIONS

For effective care, sufficient support and guidance must be provided to first-time mothers and their families, especially when mother-baby rooming-in is the standard of care.

Understanding maternal postpartum needs: A descriptive survey of current maternal health services

AIM AND OBJECTIVE

To assess mothers' learning needs and concerns after giving birth and to examine whether these needs were met at 6-8 weeks postpartum.

BACKGROUND

Women experience many physiologic and psychological changes during postpartum period, which is considered a vital transitional time. Exploring and meeting women's needs help woman to pass this period with little complications and enhance healthcare provider's ability to provide appropriate care following childbirth.

DESIGN

A prospective cohort design was employed in this study.

METHODS

A prospective cohort design was employed. A convenience sample of 150 postpartum women have completed perceived leaning needs scale prior to hospital discharge, at southern region of Jordan, and have completed perceived met learning needs scale at 6-8 weeks after giving birth.

RESULTS

Women reported a high level of concern across all eight learning needs subscales. The most common concerns were related to new baby care, episiotomy care and breastfeeding. At 6-8 weeks postpartum, the primary unmet learning needs postpartum were danger signs post-Caesarean section, physical changes, breastfeeding and new baby care. Attending postpartum check-up clinic was found as a significant predictor for postpartum meeting women's needs, particularly emotional changes and family planning-related information.

CONCLUSIONS

The current maternal health services are not at the optimum level to meet women's individual needs and concerns, which could increase the risk for postpartum complications. Some women's characteristics, such as employment status and educational level, have increased women's concerns and unmet needs in some of the learning needs.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE

Healthcare providers and policymakers should consider women's concerns and needs at early postpartum period to establish patient-centred postpartum care that is based on women's needs and concerns during this transitional period, with a focus on newborn baby care, episiotomy care and breastfeeding.

Early discharge following birth - What characterises mothers and newborns?

BACKGROUND

Early postnatal discharge has increased over the past 50 years and today we lack the knowledge on who is discharged early that would allow us to improve quality of postnatal care. The aim of this study was to describe maternal and infant predictors for early postnatal discharge in a country with equal access to health care.

METHODS

An observational study of 2786 mothers, recruited in pregnancy was conducted from April 2013 to August 2014 in four of the five regions in Denmark. Data were analysed using Kaplan-Meier method and multinomial regression models. Outcome variable was time of discharge after birth.

RESULTS

In total 34% mothers were discharged within 12 hours (very early) and 25% between 13 and 50 hours (early), respectively. Vaginal birth and multiparity were the most influential predictors, as Caesarean section compared to vaginal birth had an OR of 0.35 (CI 0.26-0.48) and primiparous compared to multiparous had an OR of 0.22 (CI 0.17-0.29) for early discharge. Other predictors for early discharge were: no induction of labour, no epidural painkiller, bleeding less than 500 ml during delivery, higher gestational age, early expected discharge and positive breastfeeding experience. Smoking, favourable social support and breastfeeding knowledge were significantly associated with discharge within 12 hours. Finally time of discharge varied significantly according to region and time of day of birth.

CONCLUSIONS

Parity and birth related factors were the strongest predictors of early discharge. Psycho-social predictors indicate that the parents are involved in the decision of when to be discharge.

Breastfeeding initiation and support: A literature review of what women value and the impact of early discharge

PROBLEM

Early discharge following birth has become an emerging phenomenon in many countries. It is likely early discharge has an impact on the establishment of breastfeeding.

OBJECTIVE

To critically appraise the evidence on what women value in relation to breastfeeding initiation and support, and investigate the impact early discharge can have on these values.

METHOD

A literature search was conducted for publications since 2005 using the following databases: Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), Medline, Scopus and PsycINFO; 21 primary articles were selected and included in the review.

FINDINGS

There is no standard definition for 'early discharge' worldwide. Due to inconsistent definitions worldwide and minimal literature using a 24h definition, research defining early discharge as up to 72h postpartum is included. Seven key factors in relation to breastfeeding initiation and support following early discharge were identified, namely trust and security, consistent advice, practical breastfeeding support, breastfeeding education, comfortable environment, positive attitudes and emotional support, and individualised care.

CONCLUSION

The findings suggest individualised postnatal lengths of stay may be beneficial for the initiation of breastfeeding. Five values were not impacted by early discharge, but rather individual midwives' practice. There is consensus in the literature that early discharge promoted a comfortable environment to support breastfeeding initiation. Wide variations in the definition of early postnatal discharge made it difficult to draw influential conclusions. Therefore, further research is required.

Women's experiences of home visits by midwives in the early postnatal period

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the present study is to gain a deeper understanding of women's experiences of midwifery care in connection with home visits during the early postnatal period.

RESEARCH DESIGN/SETTING

A qualitative approach was chosen for data collection, and the data presented are based on six focus group interviews (n: 24). The women were both primiparous and multiparous, aged 22-37, and lived with their partners. All participants had given birth at a maternity unit responsible for about 4000 births a year. The transcribed interviews were analysed through systematic text condensation.

FINDINGS

The findings are reflected in three main themes: 'The importance of relational continuity', 'The importance of a postpartum talk' and 'Vulnerability in the early postnatal period'. When the woman had a personal relationship with the midwife responsible for the home visit she experienced predictability, availability and confidence. The women wanted recognition and time to talk about their birth experience. They also felt vulnerable in their maternal role in the early postnatal period and the start of the breast-feeding process.

CONCLUSIONS

It is important to promote relational continuity models of midwifery care to address the emotional aspects of the postnatal period. Women generally wish to discuss their birth experience, preferably with the midwife who was present during the birth. Due to the short duration of postnatal care in hospitals, the visit from the midwife a few days after childbirth becomes all the more important.

Parental experiences of early postnatal discharge: A meta-synthesis

OBJECTIVE

the aim of this study was to investigate new parents׳ experiences of early postnatal discharge.

DESIGN

a meta-synthesis including 10 qualitative studies was conducted using Noblit and Hare׳s method of meta-synthesis development.

SETTING

qualitative studies performed in western countries from 2003-2013 were included.

PARTICIPANTS

the 10 included studies involved 237 mothers and fathers, first time parents as well as multiparous.

FINDINGS

we identified four overlapping and mutually dependent themes reflecting the new parents׳ experiences of early postnatal discharge: Feeling and taking responsibility; A time of insecurity; Being together as a family; and Striving to be confident. The mothers׳ and fathers׳ experiences of responsibility, security and confidence in their parental role, were positively influenced by having the opportunity to be together as a family, receiving postnatal care that included both parents, having influence on time of discharge, and getting individualised and available support focused on developing and recognising their own experiences of taking care of the baby.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

the new parents׳ experiences of early discharge and becoming a parent were closely related. Feeling secure and confident in the parental role was positively or negatively influenced by the organisation of early discharge. This underscores the importance of the way health professionals support new mothers and fathers at early postnatal discharge.

A study of New York City obstetrics units demonstrates the potential for reducing hospital inpatient capacity

Hospitals are under significant pressure from payers to reduce costs. The single largest fixed cost for a hospital is inpatient beds, yet there is significant variation in hospital capacity utilization. We study bed capacity in New York City hospital obstetrics units and find that while many hospitals have an insufficient number of beds to provide timely access to care, overall there is significant excess capacity. Our findings, coupled with current demographic and clinical practice trends, indicate that a large fraction of obstetrics units nationwide could likely reduce their bed capacity while assuring timely access to care, resulting in large savings in capital and staffing costs. Given emerging health care delivery and payment models that will likely decrease demand for other types of hospital beds, our study suggests that data-based methodologies should be used by hospitals and policy makers to identify opportunities for reducing excess bed capacity in other inpatient units as well.

Nurses' experience of using an application to support new parents after early discharge: an intervention study

Background. A development towards earlier postnatal discharge presents a challenge to find new ways to provide information and support to families. A possibility is the use of telemedicine. Objective. To explore how using an app in nursing practice affects the nurses' ability to offer support and information to postnatal mothers who are discharged early and their families. Design. Participatory design. An app with a chat, a knowledgebase, and automated messages was tried out between hospital and parents at home. Settings. The intervention took place on a postnatal ward with approximately 1,000 births a year. Participants. At the onset of the intervention, 17 nurses, all women, were working on the ward. At the end of the intervention, 16 nurses were employed, all women. Methods. Participant observation and two focus group interviews. The data analysis was inspired by systematic text condensation. Results. The nurses on the postnatal ward consider that the use of the app gives families easier access to timely information and support. Conclusions. The app gives the nurses the possibility to offer support and information to the parents being early discharged. The app is experienced as a lifeline that connects the homes of the new parents with the hospital.

Which mothers receive a post partum home visit in Queensland, Australia? A cross-sectional retrospective study

OBJECTIVE

Although home visiting in the early post partum period appears to have increased, there are limited data defining which women receive a visit and none that include Queensland. We aimed to investigate patterns of post partum home visiting in the public and private sectors in Queensland.

METHODS

Data were collected via a retrospective cross-sectional survey of women birthing in Queensland between 1 February and 31 May 2010 at 4 months post partum (n = 6948). Logistic regression was used to assess associations between receiving a home visit and sociodemographic, clinical and hospital variables. Analyses were stratified by public and private birthing sector because of significant differences between sectors.

RESULTS

Public sector women were more likely to receive a visit from a nurse or midwife (from the hospital or child health sector) within 10 days of hospital discharge (67.2%) than private sector women (7.2%). Length of hospital stay was associated with home visiting in both sectors. Some vulnerable subpopulations in both sectors were more likely to be visited, whereas others were not.

CONCLUSIONS

Home visiting in Queensland varies markedly between the public and private sector and is less common in some vulnerable populations. Further consideration to improving the equity of community post partum care in Queensland is needed.

Factors influencing timing of neonatal discharge in Japan: retrospective study

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to evaluate the birth and discharge dates of neonates and analyze their distribution over days of the week and the old lunar calendar.

METHODS

A retrospective study of the neonates discharged in the years 1990, 2000, 2005, and 2010 was conducted in a general hospital in Tokyo, Japan. Data are represented as odds ratios (OR) of the total number of discharges per day divided by the expected number of days per year, for each day of the week as well as each 6 day cycle of the lunar calendar.

RESULTS

The timing of discharge has an uneven distribution across the days of the week, with weekday discharge rates significantly lower than weekend discharge rates. This uneven distribution is particularly significant in the preterm subgroup. In contrast, there is a minor uneven distribution of births across the days of the week and that of discharges across the 6 day cycle of the lunar calendar. Logistic regression analysis for 2005 and 2010 identified admission fee paid by insurance and prematurity as significant factors associated with weekend/holiday discharge (OR, 1.84; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.23-2.75; OR, 1.71; 95% CI: 1.15-2.55, respectively). The average length of stay of neonates discharged on the weekend was longer than that for those discharged on a weekday, in both term and preterm infants.

CONCLUSIONS

Japanese parents prefer the convenience of weekends over old superstitions about using the lunar calendar to determine the discharge date.