| 1. |
- Hildingsson, Ingegerd, 1955-, et al.
(författare)
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Birth outcome in a caseload study conducted in a rural area of Sweden : a register based study
- 2020
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Ingår i: Sexual & Reproductive HealthCare. - : ELSEVIER IRELAND LTD. - 1877-5756 .- 1877-5764. ; 24
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Continuity models of midwifery care are rare in Sweden, despite its well-known positive effects. The aim was to describe pregnancy and birth outcome in women participating in a continuity of care project in a rural area of Sweden.Method: A register-based study of 266 women recruited to the project and a control group of 125 women from the same catchment area. Midwives provided antenatal care and were on-call 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. for birth. Data were collected from the antenatal and birth records. Crude and adjusted odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals were calculated between women in the project and the control group.Results: There were more primiparous women and highly educated women recruited to the project, and fewer foreign-born and single women, compared to the control group. Women in the project met more midwives and were less likely to have a pregnancy complication. During intrapartum care, women recruited to the project were less likely to need labour augmentation and less likely to have an instrumental vaginal birth and elective caesarean section. They had fewer second degree perineal tears and were more likely to fully breastfeed at discharge. No differences were found in neonatal outcome. The continuity of a known midwife at birth was quite low.Conclusion: This study shows that women self-recruited to a continuity of care project in a rural area of Sweden had a higher rate of normal births. There were few differences if having a known midwife or not. Long distances to hospital and lack of staff affected the level of continuity.
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| 2. |
- Hildingsson, Ingegerd, 1955-, et al.
(författare)
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Quality of intrapartum care assessed by women participating in a midwifery model of continuity of care
- 2021
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Ingår i: European Journal of Midwifery. - : E.U. European Publishing. - 2585-2906. ; 5:4, s. 1-10
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- INTRODUCTION Continuity models are rare in Sweden. The aim was to compare the intrapartum care experiences between women who had or not a known midwife attending their birth. METHODS A cohort study was conducted in a rural area with long distance to a labor ward in Sweden. From August 2017 to June 2019, a continuity model with a known midwife was offered between 7 a.m. and 11 p.m. daily. Questions about intrapartum care were assessed in two aspects; the perceived reality and the subjective importance. RESULTS A total of 226 women recruited in early pregnancy were followed up two months after giving birth. Women who had a known midwife providing labor care reported higher overall satisfaction and were more likely to value the subjective importance and the perceived reality significantly higher than women who received intrapartum care without a known midwife assisting. When analyzing the medical aspects of intrapartum care, the most important factors for not being satisfied were deficiencies in the partner’s involvement and insufficient pain relief. For the emotional aspects, deficiencies in participation in decision making was the most important aspect. CONCLUSIONS Having a known midwife assisting at birth reduced discrepancies between women’s subjective importance and perceived reality of intrapartum care, especially regarding support and the involvement of the partner. A known midwife generated higher overall satisfaction with the medical and emotional aspects of intrapartum care. To improve satisfaction and the quality of intrapartum care, continuity midwifery models of care should be implemented.
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| 3. |
- Larsson, Birgitta, et al.
(författare)
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Birth preference in women undergoing treatment for childbirth fear : A randomised controlled trial
- 2017
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Ingår i: Women and Birth. - : Elsevier BV. - 1871-5192 .- 1878-1799. ; 30:6, s. 460-467
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Childbirth fear is the most common underlying reason for requesting a caesarean section without medical reason. The aim of this randomised controlled study was to investigate birth preferences in women undergoing treatment for childbirth fear, and to investigate birth experience and satisfaction with the allocated treatment. Methods: Pregnant women classified with childbirth fear (≥60 on the Fear Of Birth Scale) (n = 258) were recruited at one university hospital and two regional hospitals over one year. The participants were randomised (1:1) to intervention (Internet-based Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (ICBT)) (n = 127) or standard care (face-to-face counselling) (n = 131). Data were collected by questionnaires in pregnancy week 20-25 (baseline), week 36 and two months after birth. Results: Caesarean section preference decreased from 34% to 12% in the ICBT group and from 24% to 20% in the counselling group. Two months after birth, the preference for caesarean increased to 20% in the ICBT group and to 29% in the counselling group, and there was no statistically significant change over time. Women in the ICBT group were less satisfied with the treatment (OR 4.5). The treatment had no impact on or worsened their childbirth fear (OR 5.5). There were no differences between the groups regarding birth experience. Conclusion: Women's birth preferences fluctuated over the course of pregnancy and after birth regardless of treatment method. Women felt their fear was reduced and were more satisfied with face-to-face counselling compared to ICBT. A higher percentage were lost to follow-up in ICBT group suggesting a need for further research.
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| 4. |
- Larsson, Birgitta, et al.
(författare)
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Counseling for childbirth fear - a national survey
- 2016
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Ingår i: Sexual & Reproductive HealthCare. - : Elsevier BV. - 1877-5756 .- 1877-5764. ; 8, s. 82-87
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Counseling by experienced midwives is offered to women with childbirth fear in most obstetric clinics in Sweden, but information about the content of such counseling is lacking. Aim: To study comprehensiveness, content and organization of the midwife-led counseling for childbirth fear in all obstetric clinics in Sweden. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, data were collected using a questionnaire sent to all obstetric clinics in Sweden (n =45); a total of 43 clinics responded. Descriptive and one-way ANOVA was used in the analysis. Results: All responding obstetric clinics in Sweden offer midwife-led counseling to women with childbirth fear. Major differences were found regarding the time allocated to counseling, with a range between 5.7 and 47.6 minutes per childbirth. Supplementary education for midwives and the availability of treatment options varied at the different clinics and were not associated with the size of the clinic. Conclusion: The midwife-led counseling conducted at the different Swedish obstetric clinics showed considerable disparities. Women with childbirth fear would benefit from care on equal terms irrespective of place of residence. Consequently, it would be valuable to develop a national healthcare program for childbirth fear.
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| 5. |
- Larsson, Birgitta, et al.
(författare)
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The effects of counseling on fear of childbirth
- 2015
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Ingår i: Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica. - : Wiley. - 0001-6349 .- 1600-0412. ; 94:6, s. 629-636
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- ObjectiveTo investigate women's experiences of attending existing counseling programs for childbirth-related fear and the effect of this counseling over time. DesignA longitudinal survey. SettingThree hospitals in the central north of Sweden. SampleA selected sample of 936 women. Of these, 70 received counseling due to fear of childbirth (study-group). MethodsData were collected with questionnaires 2months and 1year after giving birth with background data collected during midpregnancy. Comparisons were made between women with or without counseling. Crude and adjusted odds ratios (OR) were calculated. Main outcome measuresSelf-reported childbirth fear, experience of counseling, birth experience and preferred mode of birth. ResultsWomen in the counseling group reported higher childbirth fear 1year after giving birth (OR 5.0, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 2.6-9.3), they had a more negative birth experience that did not change over time (OR 2.1, 95% CI 1.2-3.9) and they preferred cesarean section to a greater extent (OR 12.0, 95% CI 5.1-28.1) in the case of another birth. Also, they were more often delivered by planned cesarean section (OR 4.7, 95% CI 2.4-9.1). However, 80% were satisfied with the given support. ConclusionAlthough women were satisfied with the treatment, this study shows that counseling had a minor effect on fear of childbirth, birth experiences or cesarean section rates. To help women with their fear of childbirth, more effective methods of treatment are needed.
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| 6. |
- Larsson, Birgitta, 1965-
(författare)
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Treatment for childbirth fear with a focus on midwife-led counselling : A national overview, women’s birth preferences and experiences of counselling
- 2017
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Background: Many women experience childbirth fear to such an extent that it seriously interferes with the woman’s daily life and affects her mental well-being.Aim: The overall aim was to conduct an overview of the midwife-led counselling for childbirth fear in Sweden, to investigate women’s birth preferences and to describe their experiences of treatment on childbirth fear, with focus on midwife-led counselling.Methods: Study I is a cross-sectional study where 43 out of 45 maternity clinics responded to a questionnaire regarding midwife-led counselling. Study II is a longitudinal survey where 889 women participated of whom 70 received counselling. Data were collected by questionnaires in mid-pregnancy, two months and finally, one year after birth. Study III is a randomised controlled study with 258 participating women assessed with childbirth fear. It compares Internet-based cognitive behaviour therapy (ICBT) with midwife-led counselling. Data were collected by questionnaires twice during pregnancy and two months after birth. Study IV is a qualitative interview study using thematic analysis, including 27 women who received midwife-led counselling during pregnancy.Results: Overall, midwife-led counselling was perceived as empowering by the women and increased their confidence when facing birth. The preference for a caesarean section decreased during pregnancy and the majority had a normal vaginal birth but an increase in preference for caesarean section appeared after birth. Half of the women who received treatment for childbirth fear experienced a less than positive birth. Women who had a positive birth experience voiced that the contributing factors were the self-confidence received from counselling and the support from the midwife during birth. Decreased or manageable fear was expressed by the women after counselling and birth, which in turn brought a strengthened confidence for a future pregnancy and birth. Furthermore, major differences exist in counselling for childbirth fear throughout the clinics in Sweden.Conclusion: Midwife-led counselling improved women’s confidence toward giving birth and fear was perceived as manageable. Continuous support is crucial to experience birth as positive. Although women’s preferences for caesarean section did not change over time, few women gave birth with a caesarean section without medial reason.
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| 7. |
- Larsson, Birgitta, et al.
(författare)
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Women's experience of midwife-led counselling and its influence on childbirth fear : A qualitative study
- 2019
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Ingår i: Women and Birth. - : Elsevier BV. - 1871-5192 .- 1878-1799. ; 32:1, s. e88-e94
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Women with childbirth fear have been offered counseling by experienced midwives in Sweden for decades without evidence for its effectiveness, in terms of decrease in childbirth fear. Women are usually satisfied with the counselling. However, there is a lack of qualitative data regarding women’s views about counselling for childbirth fear.Aim: To explore women’s experiences of midwife-led counselling for childbirth fear.Method: A qualitative interview study using thematic analysis. Twenty-seven women assessed for childbirth fear who had received counselling during pregnancy at three different hospitals in Sweden were interviewed by telephone one to two years after birth.Findings: The overarching theme ‘Midwife-led counselling brought positive feelings and improved confidence in birth’ was identified. This consisted of four themes describing ‘the importance of the midwife’ and ‘a mutual and strengthening dialogue’ during pregnancy. ‘Coping strategies and support enabled a positive birth’ represent women’s experiences during birth and ‘being prepared for a future birth’ were the women’s thoughts of a future birth.Conclusions: In this qualitative study, women reported that midwife-led counselling improved their confidence for birth through information and knowledge. The women experienced a greater sense of calm and preparedness, which increased the tolerance for the uncertainty related to the birthing process. This, in turn, positively affected the birth experience. Combined with a feeling of safety, which was linked to the professional support during birth, the women felt empowered. The positive birth experience strengthened the self-confidence for a future birth and the childbirth fear was described as reduced or manageable.
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| 8. |
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| 9. |
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| 10. |
- Rondung, Elisabet, 1980-, et al.
(författare)
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Comparing Internet-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy With Standard Care for Women With Fear of Birth : Randomized Controlled Trial
- 2018
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Ingår i: JMIR Mental Health. - : JMIR PUBLICATIONS, INC. - 2368-7959. ; 5:3
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Although many pregnant women report fear related to the approaching birth, no consensus exists on how fear of birth should be handled in clinical care.Objective: This randomized controlled trial aimed to compare the efficacy of a guided internet-based self-help program based on cognitive behavioral therapy (guided ICBT) with standard care on the levels of fear of birth in a sample of pregnant women reporting fear of birth.Methods: This nonblinded, multicenter randomized controlled trial with a parallel design was conducted at three study centers (hospitals) in Sweden. Recruitment commenced at the ultrasound screening examination during gestational weeks 17-20. The therapist-guided ICBT intervention was inspired by the Unified protocol for transdiagnostic treatment of emotional disorders and consisted of 8 treatment modules and 1 module for postpartum follow-up. The aim was to help participants observe and understand their fear of birth and find new ways of coping with difficult thoughts and emotions Standard care was offered in the three different study regions. The primary outcome was self-assessed levels of fear of birth, measured using the Fear of Birth Scale.Results: We included 258 pregnant women reporting clinically significant levels of fear of birth (guided ICBT group, 127; standard care group, 131). Of the 127 women randomized to the guided ICBT group, 103 (81%) commenced treatment, 60 (47%) moved on to the second module, and only 13 (10%) finished >= 4 modules. The levels of fear of birth did not differ between the intervention groups postintervention. At 1-year postpartum follow-up, participants in the guided ICBT group exhibited significantly lower levels of fear of birth (U=3674.00, z=-1.97, P=.049, Cohen d=0.28, 95% CI -0.01 to 0.57). Using the linear mixed models analysis, an overall decrease in the levels of fear of birth over time was found (P <= .001), along with a significant interaction between time and intervention, showing a larger reduction in fear of birth in the guided ICBT group over time (F-1,(192).(538) =4.96, P=.03).Conclusions: Fear of birth decreased over time in both intervention groups; while the decrease was slightly larger in the guided ICBT group, the main effect of time alone, regardless of treatment allocation, was most evident. Poor treatment adherence to guided ICBT implies low feasibility and acceptance of this treatment.
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