Differences in optimality index between planned place of birth in a birth centre and alternative planned places of birth, a nationwide prospective cohort study in The Netherlands: results of the Dutch Birth Centre Study

Objectives To compare the Optimality Index of planned birth in a birth centre with planned birth in a hospital and planned home birth for low-risk term pregnant women who start labour under the responsibility of a community midwife. Design Prospective cohort study. Setting Low-risk pregnant women under care of a community midwife and living in a...

Good reliability and validity for a new utility instrument measuring the birth experience, the Labor and Delivery Index

Objectives To validate the Labor and Delivery Index (LADY-X), a new delivery-specific utility measure. Study Design and Setting In a test–retest design, women were surveyed online, 6 to 8 weeks postpartum and again 1 to 2 weeks later. For reliability testing, we assessed the standard error of measurement (S.E.M.) and the intraclass correlation...

Parental knowledge reduces long term anxiety induced by false-positive test results after newborn screening for cystic fibrosis

Background: False-positive screening results in newborn screening for cystic fibrosis may lead to parental stress, family relationship problems and a changed perception of the child's health. Aim of the study: To evaluate whether parental anxiety induced by a false positive screening result disappears after six months and to assess whether a...

Development of the Migrant Friendly Maternity Care Questionnaire (MFMCQ) for migrants to Western societies: An international Delphi consensus process

Background: Through the World Health Assembly Resolution, 'Health of Migrants', the international community has identified migrant health as a priority. Recommendations for general hospital care for international migrants in receiving-countries have been put forward by the Migrant Friendly Hospital Initiative; adaptations of these...

Data of Dutch homebirths needs rectification

Etnische verschillen in de voorkeur voor thuisbevallingen en het zorgtraject dat zwangeren doorlopen [Ethnic differences in preference for home delivery and in pregnancy care received by pregnant women]

Objective. To investigate differences among pregnant women from various ethnic groups in terms of pregnancy care and the place of delivery. Design. Descriptive, retrospective study. Method. Data from the Dutch Perinatal Registries during the period 1995-2002, representing a total of 1,401,892 pregnancies, were linked and analysed for perinatal...

Evaluation of 280 000 cases in Dutch midwifery practices: A descriptive study

Objective: To assess the nature and outcome of intrapartum referrals from primary to secondary care within the Dutch obstetric system. Design: Descriptive study. Setting: Dutch midwifery database (LVR1), covering 95% of all midwifery care and 80% of all Dutch pregnancies (2001-03). Population: Low-risk women (280 097) under exclusive care of a...

Looking back on birth three years later: Factors associated with a negative appraisal in England and in the Netherlands

In 2003 research was conducted in England (n=738) to further our understanding of factors that relate to women's longer-term appraisal of their birth experience. Women's appraisals are likely to be influenced by the culture in which they give birth and the predominant norms at that time. To explore this further, the study was replicated in the...

Perinatal factors related to negative or positive recall of birth experience in women 3 years postpartum in the Netherlands

Background: Little research has been conducted to date on women's postnatal emotional well-being and satisfaction with the care received in the Netherlands. The aim of this study was to investigate Dutch women's views of their birth experience 3 years after the event. Methods: A questionnaire was mailed to all women who had given birth in 2001...

Improving return-to-work after childbirth: Design of the Mom@Work study, a randomised controlled trial and cohort study

Background. Many women suffer from health problems after giving birth, which can lead to sick leave. About 30% of Dutch workers are on sick leave after maternity leave. Structural contact of supervisors with employees on maternity leave, supported by early medical advice of occupational physicians, may increase the chances of return-to-work...

Infant milk feeding practices in the Netherlands and associated factors

Aim: The aim of the study was to describe infant feeding practices and associated factors, and to explore mothers' main reasons for starting and stopping breastfeeding. Methods: We performed a national inquiry into milk feeding practices among 9133 Dutch infants aged <7 mo by means of a questionnaire. Results: 78% of mothers initiated...

Maternal factors and the probability of a planned home birth

Objectives: In the Netherlands, approximately one-third of births are planned home births, mostly supervised by a midwife. The relationship between maternal demographic factors and home births supervised by midwives was examined. Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: Dutch national perinatal registries of the year 2000. Population: All women...

Changes in Water Content, Collagen Degradation, Collagen Content, and Concentration in Repeated Biopsies of the Cervix of Pregnant Cows

The objective of the present study was to assess if cervical ripeness could be quantified by measuring the percentage of denaturation of the collagen network of the stromal layer. Biopsy specimens from the caudal part of the cervix were obtained from nine pluriparous cows between Days 149 and 157 of gestation (second-trimester biopsy), at...