International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology

International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology ISSN 2736-1594, Vol. 13 (3), pp. 001-006, March, 2025. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Factors Influencing Preference for VBAC or CS among Women with Prior CS: A Comparative Study

Babagana Bako*, Ado Danazumi Geidam, Ibrahim Mohammed Sanusi,

Abdulkarim Garba Mairiga and Bilkisu Isa

Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, P. M. B 1414, Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria.

Received 6 June, 2024; Accepted 25 November, 2024

Vaginal birth after caesarean section (VBAC) is an acceptable option for delivery in a woman with one prior lower segment caesarean section (CS) and in the absence of an obvious contraindication to vaginal delivery. This was a cross sectional study that sought to explore the preferred mode of delivery (VBAC or CS) in a cohort of post operative patients that had a primary CS and the reason for such preference using a self administered, structured and pretested questionnaire. The study was conducted between 1st January, 2013 and 30th November, 2013 and consenting women were recruited consecutively. Two hundred and forty five consenting women completed the questionnaires. Majority of the women, 73.5% (180) prefer VBAC in their next pregnancy while 26.5% (65) prefer a repeat CS. The commonest reasons for preference for VBAC were faster recovery, 68.8% (124) and being a natural method of child birth 25.6% (46). The most common reasons for preferring CS were to avoid labour pains, avoid the stress of labour and safety of the baby in 49.5% (32), 24.6% (16) and 15.4% (10), respectively. Maternal age ≥35 years and having attained tertiary level of education maintained statistically significant relationship with preference for CS after controlling for confounding variable. Only 6.1% (15) of the women reported that they will not accept CS under any circumstance and 31% (76) will accept it reluctantly. We advocate the need for counselling of antenatal women as well as public education campaigns so that women can make informed choices.

Key words: Vaginal birth after caesarean section (VBAC), caesarean section (CS), anaesthesia, aversion, labour.

International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology ISSN 2736-1594, Vol. 13 (3), pp. 001-007, March, 2025. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

A Study of Midwives' experiences of providing support to women with fear of childbirth

Mårtensson Lena1, Mogren Lisa2, Lindbom Emma3 and Thorstensson Stina1*

1School of Health and Education, University of Skövde, Skövde, Sweden.
2Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Mölndal, Sweden.
3Södra Älvsborg Hospital, Borås, Sweden.

Received 1 August, 2015; Accepted 24 January, 2025

Fear of childbirth is described as a major problem for many women as this has a negative effect for both the women and the babies. Health care professionals need to be able to offer these women adequate support which could be important for primiparous women. The aim of this study was to describe what primiparous women experience as support in coping with their fear of childbirth. A qualitative, inductive approach was used. Data was collected at two hospitals in Southwestern Sweden. Five primiparous women with fear of childbirth were included after a purposive, snowball sampling technique. Data were analyzed with qualitative content analysis. Findings are described through the main theme support adapted to the needs of the individual woman and of three categories: (1) the importance of receiving reassurance; (2) increased knowledge and understanding and; (3) combining all kinds of support. The conclusion of this study is that women’s fear could rapidly shift focus and individualized support sensitive to these shifts was important to increase primiparous women’s coping capacity. Support should include; reassurance, improved knowledge and understanding.

Key words: Women's experiences, primiparous, fear of childbirth, social support, professional support, women’s health, life change events.
 

International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology ISSN 2736-1594, Vol. 13 (3), pp. 001-008, March, 2025. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Improving Maternal Satisfaction with Intrapartum Care: An Intervention Study in Jordanian Hospitals

Khitam Mohammad1*, Insaf Shaban2, Caroline Homer3 and Debra Creedy4

1Faculty of Nursing, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan.
2Faculty of Nursing, AL al-Bayt University, Jordan.
3Faulty of Nursing, Midwifery and Health, University of Technology, Sydney, Australia.

4Griffith Health Institute, Griffith University, Australia.

Received 17 October, 2024; Accepted 23 January, 2025

Exploring patient satisfaction can contribute to quality maternity care but is not routinely conducted in many Middle Eastern countries. This study investigated the prevalence and factors associated with satisfaction during labor and birth among Jordanian women using a descriptive cross-sectional design. Women (n=298) were recruited from four maternal and child health centers in Al-Mafraq city, Jordan. Participants completed an intrapartum care scale which measured satisfaction with three areas of care: interpersonal, information and involvement in decision making, and physical environment. Overall, only 17.8% of women were satisfied with intrapartum care. Around 13% of women were satisfied with interpersonal care, 20.5% with information and involvement in decision making, and 18.8% with physical birth environment. Regression analyses revealed that low satisfaction was associated with experiencing an episiotomy, poor pain relief during labour, and vaginal birth. Health care professionals, policy-makers as well as hospital administrators need to consider the factors that contribute to low satisfaction with childbirth in any effort to improve care.

Key words: Labour, birth, Jordan, maternity care, midwife, patient satisfaction.
 

International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology ISSN 2736-1594, Vol. 13 (3), pp. 001-009, March, 2025. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Review

Quality Issues in Midwifery: A Critical Analysis of Midwifery in Nigeria and the International Confederation of Midwives (ICM) Standards

Modupe O. Oyetunde and Chigozie A. Nkwonta

Department of Nursing, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria.

Received 27 October, 2024 ; Accepted 25 February, 2025

Abstract

Advances in health care system are a challenge to the professional midwife in the quality of midwifery workforce. The three pillars of quality midwifery workforce need to meet the changing health needs of both the rural and modern highly industrialized society. Insisting on the traditional ways of doing things in midwifery seems inadequate in meeting these challenges. New and creative approaches are needed if midwifery as a prominent profession in health care delivery will professionally remain competitive and contribute effectively and maximally to the demands of nation’s health care services. Midwife leaders will be taking a step in the right direction in fostering the climate that promotes creativity in midwifery. Midwifery in Nigeria had witnessed many changes, given the challenges of a low/poor resource setting. This paper attempts a discourse on issues affecting midwifery as a profession using the International Confederation of Midwives (ICM) global standards.

Key words: Quality issues, midwifery, International Confederation of Midwives (ICM) global standards.

International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology ISSN 2736-1594, Vol. 13 (3), pp. 001-010, March, 2025. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Premarital Childbearing Trends Among Unmarried Young Women in Sub-Saharan Africa: Findings from Demographic Health Surveys

M. E. Palamuleni¹ and A. S. Adebowale^1,2

¹Population Training and Research Unit, North- West University, Mafikeng, South Africa. ²Department of Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, Faculty of Public Health, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan.

Received 17 September, 2024; Accepted 12 January, 2025

Abstract

Premarital childbearing (PC) among young women remains a problem in Africa. Victims are often stigmatized, neglected and their socio-economic advancement in life is compromised. There is dearth of information on patterns of PC among unmarried female youths (UFY) in sub-Saharan Africa. The objectives of the study are to explore the patterns and differentials in the levels of PC in sub-Saharan Africa. It also identifies the factors that might account for high cases of PC in the region. The study used DHS dataset for Nigeria, Senegal, Rwanda, Malawi, Congo DR and Namibia. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were used to examine association between the socioeconomic factors and PC among UFY (15 to 24 years). The prevalence of PC was found to be highest in Namibia (25.5%) and least in Nigeria (4.8%). PC was more prominent among women with no formal education in Namibia (54.4%), Rwanda (16.5%) and Congo DR (7.9%). In Malawi, 4.5 and 78.0% of UFY had their first birth at ages 10 to 14 and 15 to 19 years respectively. Residing in urban areas in Nigeria (OR=0.37; CI=0.28 to 0.50) and Congo DR (OR=0.66; CI=0.45 to 0.98) reduces the risk of PC. The odd of PC reduces as the level of wealth quintile increases in Nigeria, Rwanda and Namibia. The identified determinants of PC included never use of contraceptive, Christianity, Islam and early sexual initiation. The study thus revealed premarital childbearing is still a problem in sub-Saharan Africa and the hardest hit country is Namibia and women with no formal education. Strategies aimed at reducing PC among UFY in this region should include improvement in female education.

Key words: Premarital childbearing, unmarried female youths, premarital sex.
 

International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology ISSN 2736-1594, Vol. 13 (3), pp. 001-006, March, 2025. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Examining Awareness and Challenges in Accessing Maternal Health Care Services Among Reproductive Women in Amassoma Community, Bayelsa State

Onasoga A. Olayinka¹*, Osaji Teresa Achi¹, Alade O. Amos¹ and Egbuniwe Michel Chiedu²

¹Faculty of Nursing, Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island, Bayelsa State, Nigeria.
²Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, Anambra State, Nigeria.

Accepted 19 November, 2024

Abstract

Nigeria is on the verge of not meeting the fifth millennium development goals of improving maternal health due to a high maternal mortality rate which is estimated to be 630 women per 100,000 live births and lack of utilization of maternal health care services is a major contributing factor. Hence, the study was designed to explore awareness and barriers to the utilization of maternal health care services among reproductive women (15 to 45 years) in Amassoma community, Bayelsa State, Nigeria. The study population consists of women of reproductive age (15 to 45 years). A purposive sampling technique was used to select the sample size of 192. Data were collected using a questionnaire and descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the data generated. The study revealed that the majority of the respondents [182 (94.8%)] have heard of maternal health services but only few actually knew the main services rendered at maternal health care services. Regression coefficient showed significant association between educational status and utilization of maternal health care services (MHCS) among the respondents (beta = 0.47, p = 0.000); parity and utilization of MHCS (beta = - 0.14, p = 0.016); and age and utilization of MHCS (beta = -0.19, p = 0.001). The major variables associated with barriers to utilization of maternal health services among respondents were poor knowledge of the existing services, previous bad obstetric history; attitude of the health care provider, availability, accessibility and husband's acceptance of the maternal healthcare services. It is recommended that Government should subsidize maternal health services in order to make it affordable, acceptable and available to women. Also nurses should encourage women of reproductive age to utilize maternal health by providing a welcoming and supportive attitude at all contacts.

Key words: Awareness, barrier, utilization, maternal health care services, reproductive age, women.