Nurses' perception of epidural services in a Johannesburg academic setting

BACKGROUND

 Labour pain is associated with detrimental maternal and foetal physical and psychological effects. Labour analgesia is a basic right for all women and labour epidural analgesia has been accepted as the gold standard for providing such, with reported improvement in patient satisfaction. In South Africa, studies have shown that labour epidural rates are low. At an academic hospital in Johannesburg, a 24-h labour epidural service combined with an awareness campaign and educational programme (LEAP) was initiated with the aim of improving labour epidural rates. Results showed a short-lived uptake with a subsequent decline.

OBJECTIVES

 This study explored the experiences of labour ward nursing staff regarding the labour epidural service at this academic hospital including perceived limitations and possible recommendations regarding improving service provision.

METHOD

 A qualitative, descriptive and exploratory study was conducted. Purposive sampling was used with semistructured, audio-recorded individual interviews, thematic analysis was performed using Braun and Clarke's six-phase approach.

RESULTS

 The key theme is required education and supervision of epidural insertion (see page 3), management of childbirth and challenges related to epidural service provision.

CONCLUSION

 A positive sentiment was expressed by the participants; however, deficiencies in the service such as shortages of experienced personnel, work constraints and insufficient training may be affecting service sustainability. Further studies are recommended to form guidance towards the development and implementation of interventions to improve service delivery.Contribution: Provision of continual training and increased staffing of healthcare personnel will help improve the sustainability of the labour epidural service.

Risk factors for postpartum urinary retention: An updated systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

There are conflicting reports on the factors that increase the likelihood of postpartum urinary retention (PUR).

OBJECTIVES

We completed an updated systematic review and meta-analysis to identify the risk factors for PUR.

SEARCH STRATEGY

An exhaustive search of the literature was undertaken using multiple databases, including PubMed, Web of Science, the Cochrane Library, and Embase to identify pertinent studies published up until November 4, 2023.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Observational studies that provided outcomes to calculate the risk factors for PUR were included.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two investigators separately performed the extraction of pertinent data from the articles. The risk factors for PUR were identified by pooling adjusted and unadjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Heterogeneity test, sensitivity analysis, and publication bias assessment were performed.

MAIN RESULTS

This meta-analysis included 21 studies with a total of 36 951 participants. Meta-analysis was performed for 14 risk factors, and eight of these were statistically significant. The risk factors that were identified in this review included instrumental delivery (OR, 2.96 [95% CI, 1.82-4.80]; 95% prediction interval [PI], 0.67-12.98), relatively long duration of labor (OR, 1.04 [95% CI, 1.02-1.06]; 95% PI, 1.00-1.08), episiotomy (OR, 1.56 [95% CI, 1.19-2.06] 95% PI, 0.64-3.83), nulliparity (OR, 1.55 [95% CI, 1.30-1.84]; 95% PI, 0.94-2.77), epidural analgesia (OR, 2.99 [95% CI, 1.78-5.03]; 95% PI, 0.53-16.76), labor augmentation (OR, 2.21 [95% CI, 1.49-3.28]; 95% PI, 0.12-39.26), labor induction (OR, 1.73 [95% CI, 1.12-2.66]; 95% PI, 0.40-7.39), and perineal injury (OR, 2.75 [95% CI, 1.95-3.89]; 95% PI, 1.10-6.92).

CONCLUSION

Instrumental delivery, extended labor duration, episiotomy, nulliparity, epidural analgesia, labor augmentation/induction, and perineal injury are significant risk factors for PUR. The findings could help physicians identify patients at risk in the postpartum setting.

The risk factors of postpartum urinary retention after vaginal delivery: A systematic review

Objectives

This review aimed to explore the independent risk factors of postpartum urinary retention (PUR) after a vaginal delivery.

Methods

The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) was followed and relevant studies were retrieved from eleven databases. The quality of the included articles was assessed using Critical Appraisal Skills Programme tools or the Appraisal tool for Cross-Sectional Studies. The data analysis was performed using Review Manager version 5.3.

Results

A total of nine articles were included and five risk factors were identified, namely, episiotomy (OR = 2.99, 95%CI = 1.31–6.79, P = 0.009), epidural analgesia (OR = 2.48, 95%CI = 1.09–5.68, P = 0.03), primiparity (OR = 2.17, 95%CI = 1.06–4.46, P = 0.03), instrumental delivery (OR = 4.01, 95%CI = 1.97–8.18, P < 0.001), and the duration of the second stage of labor (MD = 15.24, 95%CI = 11.20–19.28, P < 0.001). However, fetal birth weights of more than 3800 g were not identified as an independent risk factor (MD = 64.41, 95%CI = −12.59 to 141.41, P = 0.10).

Conclusion

This systematic review indicated that the independent risk factors for PUR were found to include episiotomy, epidural analgesia, instrumental delivery, primiparity, and a longer second stage of labor. In clinical practice, healthcare providers could pay more attention to women with these factors and prevent postpartum urinary retention.

Epidurals during normal labour and birth - Midwives' attitudes and experiences

BACKGROUND

Midwives have their own beliefs and values regarding pain during childbirth. Their preferences concerning labour pain management may influence women's choices.

AIM

To gain a deeper understanding of midwives' attitudes and experiences regarding the use of an epidural during normal labour.

METHODS

A qualitative approach was chosen for data collection. Ten in-depth interviews were conducted with midwives working in three different obstetric units in Norway. The transcribed interviews were analysed using Malterud's systematic text condensation.

FINDINGS

The analysis provided two main themes: "Normal childbirth as the goal" and "Challenges to the practice, knowledge, philosophy and experience of midwives". Distinctive differences in experiences and attitudes were found. The workplace culture in the obstetric units affected the midwives' attitudes and their midwifery practice. How they attended to women with epidural also differed. An epidural was often used as a substitute for continuous support when the obstetric unit was busy.

DISCUSSION

Midwives estimate labour pain differently, and this might impact the midwifery care. However, midwives' interests and preferences concerning labour pain management should not influence women's choices. Midwives are affected by the setting where they work, and research highlights that an epidural might lead to a focus on medical procedures instead of the normality of labour.

CONCLUSION

Midwives should be aware of how powerful their position is and how the workplace culture might influence their attitudes. The focus should be on "working with" women to promote a normal birth process, even with an epidural.

Multisite Randomized Controlled Trial of Bladder Management in Labor With Epidural Analgesia/Anesthesia

OBJECTIVE

To compare the effects of continuous indwelling catheterization with those of intermittent catheterization during labor with epidural analgesia/anesthesia on mode of birth and incidence of urinary tract infection (UTI) symptoms in the postpartum period.

DESIGN

Randomized clinical trial.

SETTING

Labor and delivery units at three metropolitan hospitals in the Western United States.

PARTICIPANTS

Women (N = 252) who were nulliparous with term, singleton pregnancies in labor with epidural analgesia/anesthesia.

METHODS

Participants were randomized to indwelling or intermittent (every 2 hours) catheterization groups after the administration of epidural analgesia/anesthesia during labor. One to 2 weeks after discharge, participants were contacted and questioned about symptoms of UTI.

RESULTS

A total of 252 participants were enrolled in the study: 81% (n = 202) gave birth vaginally, and 19% (n = 50) gave birth via cesarean. Between the indwelling and intermittent catheterization groups, demographic characteristics were similar. We found no significant difference in the incidence of cesarean birth between groups (15.6% vs. 22.5%, p = .172). Overall, 3% of participants reported and sought treatment for symptoms of UTI within 2 weeks with no significant difference between groups (p = .929).

CONCLUSION

We found no differences in mode of birth or symptoms of UTI in women who received indwelling or intermittent catheterization during epidural analgesia/anesthesia. We recommend additional research with objective data for UTI diagnosis and larger samples to study the multiple potential confounding variables associated with cesarean birth after catheterization during epidural analgesia/anesthesia.

Implementation of an Evidence-Based Practice Change to Offer Nitrous Oxide During Labor

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this evidence-based practice change was to implement use of nitrous oxide as a pain management option during labor and to examine women's satisfaction with that option.

DESIGN

Evidence-based practice change guided by the model for evidence-based practice change.

SETTING

Labor and delivery unit in a tertiary medical center in the southwestern United States.

PARTICIPANTS

Laboring women who met eligibility criteria were offered the option of nitrous oxide during a 2-month period.

MEASUREMENTS

Process indicators to measure compliance with the practice change among staff, uptake of nitrous oxide among women, and women's satisfaction with the choice to use nitrous oxide.

RESULTS

Nitrous oxide was offered to 26% (n = 55) of eligible women. Most of the 55 women who used nitrous oxide during the implementation period reported satisfaction with it and indicated that they would consider nitrous oxide for a future labor.

CONCLUSION

Our experience implementing a practice change to offer nitrous oxide to laboring women indicated that use of nitrous oxide was feasible in this setting and that women were receptive to this option, were satisfied with its use, and would use nitrous oxide for a future labor.