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- Claesson, Ing-Marie, 1953-, et al.
(author)
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Weight gain restriction for obese pregnant women : A case-control intervention study
- 2008
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In: British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. - : Wiley. - 1470-0328 .- 1471-0528. ; 115:1, s. 44-50
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objective: To minimise obese women's total weight gain during pregnancy to less than 7 kg and to investigate the delivery and neonatal outcome. Design: A prospective case-control intervention study. Setting: Antenatal care clinics in the southeast region of Sweden. Population: One hundred fifty-five pregnant women in an index group and one hundred ninety-three women in a control group. Methods: An intervention programme with weekly motivational talks and aqua aerobic classes for obese pregnant women. Main outcome measures: Weight gain in kilograms, delivery and neonatal outcome. Results: The index group had a significantly lower weight gain during pregnancy compared with the control group (P < 0.001). The women in the index group weighed less at the postnatal check-up compared with the weight registered in early pregnancy (P < 0.001). The percentage of women in the index group who gained less than 7 kg was greater than that of women in the control group who gained less than 7 kg (P = 0.003). The percentage of nulliparous women in this group was greater than that in the control group (P = 0.018). In addition, the women in the index group had a significantly lower body mass index at the postnatal check-up, compared with the control group (P < 0.001). There were no differences between the index group and the control group regarding birthweight, gestational age and mode of delivery. Conclusion: The intervention programme was effective in controlling weight gain during pregnancy and did not affect delivery or neonatal outcome.
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| 2. |
- Gunnervik, Christina, 1953-, et al.
(author)
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Attitudes towards cesarean section in a nationwide sample of obstetricians and gynecologists
- 2008
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In: Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica. - : Wiley. - 0001-6349 .- 1600-0412. ; 87:4, s. 438-444
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objective. The Swedish cesarean section (CS) rate has increased dramatically over the last decades, but remains relatively low compared to several other countries in the Western world. The reasons for this continuous increase are multifactorial and difficult to investigate. That pregnant women are demanding CS more frequently does not appear to be the major explanatory factor for the increasing CS rate. Since Swedish CS rates are relatively low, it is important to study attitudes to CS in a nationwide population of Swedish obstetricians and gynecologists in order to determine the possible concerns of this group. Methods. In 2006, a study-specific questionnaire was created and posted to Swedish obstetricians and gynecologists. In total, 1,280 obstetricians and gynecologists received a questionnaire and replied with a response rate of 66%. Results. In general, older and longer work experience physicians had a more positive attitude towards providing CS on maternal request or elective CS for women who fear vaginal delivery. In addition, these colleagues were more positive in expressing their belief that elective CS is as safe as vaginal delivery for the mother and her child. The main difference between female and male physicians was that males were more positive toward providing CS on maternal request (p<0.001). Conclusion. We have shown that female physicians differ from their male colleagues in their attitudes toward providing CS on maternal request. Female physicians were more reluctant than males to provide CS on maternal request. © 2008 Taylor & Francis.
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| 3. |
- Larsson, Caroline, 1972-, et al.
(author)
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Obstetricians' attitudes and opinions on sickness absence and benefits during pregnancy
- 2006
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In: Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica. - : Wiley. - 0001-6349 .- 1600-0412. ; 85:2, s. 165-170
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background . In Sweden, sick leave is taken more frequently by pregnant women than by nonpregnant women. This led us to ask if the taking of sick leave during pregnancy could possibly be explained by attitudes to sickness absence held among obstetricians working in antenatal care. Methods . All obstetricians ( n =45) engaged in public antenatal care and at work in May 2001 in seven hospitals in South Eastern Sweden were asked to anonymously respond to questions/statements concerning their work, 87% participated. The results were presented as percent (the median value) on a visual analog scale. Results . In 60% of all contacts with pregnant women issues such as working conditions, sickness absence or benefit programs were discussed besides the actual pregnancy. In 46% the obstetricians stated that they could not exactly pinpoint a correct medical diagnosis motivating a sickness certificate asked for by the pregnant woman. As the majority of the obstetricians (74%) often did not like to conform to the pregnant women's wishes, unpleasant situations were not uncommon (56%). A conflict was experienced in the dual role that the obstetrician had as the patient's confidant on the one hand and as a representative or gatekeeper for the social security system on the other. Male and female obstetricians did not differ in their opinions on their handling of pregnant women with regard to taking sick leave but for one issue, back pain. Conclusions . The high degree of work dealing with sickness absence and social benefits at the Antenatal Care Centers seems to have a negative effect on the obstetrician's evaluation of their work environment. The obstetricians' opinion is that pregnant women are sick-listed too frequently, but obstetricians comply as a rule to the women's wishes in order to avoid conflict. © 2006 Taylor & Francis.
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| 6. |
- Sydsjö, Adam, 1940-, et al.
(author)
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Influence of obesity on the use of sickness absence and social benefits among pregnant working women
- 2007
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In: Public Health. - : Allan Press Inc.. - 0033-3506 .- 1476-5616. ; 121:9, s. 656-662
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objective: To evaluate if obesity in early pregnancy has any possible impact on the capacity of pregnant women to engage in gainful employment.Methods: Register data from a database on sickness absence and pregnancy benefit and parental benefit claims were combined with type of occupation and body mass index (BMI) for 693 women consecutively delivered during the course of one year at a county hospital in Sweden.Results: The results showed the Lowest BMI among women who had administrative jobs and the highest BMI in women who undertook more burdensome and heavy types of manual work. A significant increase in BMI was also seen among those pregnant women who were registered as unemployed. The finding that in the manual types of occupation, obese pregnant women took almost twice as many days of leave provided by the parental benefit programme as did women with a BMI of < 25, indicates that obese pregnant women perhaps do not have the same physical endurance required to manage the combined demands of work and pregnancy. No differences were found with regard to sickness absence between obese women and pregnant women with normal BMI; however, differences were found between different occupational groups.Conclusions: Our study indicates that a woman's BMI at the beginning of pregnancy is associated with her occupational status. Obesity among pregnant women may well be used as a psychosociat indicator as obesity correlates with social and economic problems. Any planned weight reduction programme in antenatal, care must therefore consider this important psychosociat aspect. (c) 2006 The Royal Institute of Public Health. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
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| 7. |
- Sydsjö, Adam, 1940-, et al.
(author)
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Influence of pregnancy-related diagnoses on sick-leave data in women aged 16-44
- 2001
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In: Journal of Womens Health & Gender-Based Medicine. - : Mary Ann Liebert Inc. - 1524-6094 .- 2168-7722. ; 10:7, s. 707-714
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Data on sickness absence frequently are used as a measure of morbidity and its social consequences in the employed population. The effects of sickness absence, as well as any possible differences in diagnoses among pregnant women as compared the sick leave data among the total population of women in fertile age have so far not been studied. The aim of this study was to investigate the relative contribution of pregnant women to the level of sickness absence, in general and in different diagnostic groups, as well as the extent to which sick-listed pregnant women can be identified through diagnoses on sickness certificates. In a cross-sectional study of all sick leave insured women aged 16-44 years (n=24,481) in Link÷ping, Sweden (117,000 inhabitants), data from two population-based research registers were used, one of sickness absence for the whole population, one of sickness absence among pregnant women in the same population and year. Pregnant women (5%) had a significantly higher cumulative incidence of sickness absence (0.64) compared with all women (0.18) and accounted for 20% of the women listed as absent because of sickness. The duration of the sickness absence was also significantly longer among pregnant women, 44.8 days compared with 9.7 days among all women. Practically all diagnoses among pregnant women were related to pregnancy or back pain (93%). When using diagnoses on the sickness certificates, only 46% of all sick-listed pregnant women could be identified, suggesting methodological difficulties in studies on sickness absence. Studies on sickness absence among women of fertile age should also contain information on the proportion of sick-listed pregnant women, as a small proportion of pregnant women may have a deep impact on the results and conclusions among all women.
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| 8. |
- Sydsjö, Adam, 1940-, et al.
(author)
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Influence of rest during pregnancy on birth weight in working women
- 2006
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In: Obstetrics and Gynecology. - 0029-7844 .- 1873-233X. ; 107:5, s. 991-996
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- OBJECTIVE: Birth weight in Sweden has increased during the past decades. We investigated whether rest provided by the combination of time off from work and social benefits among working pregnant women contributed to the observed changes. METHOD: A total of 7,459 consecutively delivered women in 1978, 1986, 1992, and 1997 at 2 delivery wards in southeastern Sweden were studied. RESULTS: Between 1978 and 1997, the average birth weight among the children of the women studied increased from 3,484 to 3,566 grams (P < .001). The increase in weight was most evident among infants born to women who were employed during pregnancy. The use of social benefits and increased rest during pregnancy did not significantly influence birth weight (P = .107), even after adjustment for gestational length, parity, smoking, age, and occupation. CONCLUSION: The continuous increase in infants' birth weight among pregnant women in this study did not correlate with rest periods in the form of leave supported by social benefit programs. The effects of social benefit programs on pregnancy outcome may thus be overrated and merits further research. © 2006 by The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Published by Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
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| 9. |
- Sydsjö, Gunilla, 1956-, et al.
(author)
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Newly delivered women's evaluation of personal health status and attitudes towards sickness absence and social benefits
- 2002
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In: Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica. - : Wiley. - 0001-6349 .- 1600-0412. ; 81:2, s. 104-111
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background. Unexpectedly high rates of sickness absence have been observed among pregnant women. No clear medical causes for illnesses reported as the basis for sick leave have yet been identified with certainty. An explanation proposed is the pregnant women's own attitudes towards their own states of well being during pregnancy. The aim of this study was to investigate the validity of this hypothesis. Methods. All of the 384 women who were delivered at the University Hospital during a 2-month period were asked to answer a questionnaire anonymously. Information was sought concerning sickness absence and the use of parental benefits. In addition, questions were asked about working conditions and about each mother's own estimate of her level of 'well being'. The women's attitudes towards work absence due to illness and towards social benefit programs were registered. Results. Forty-three per cent of the women stated that they had been on sick leave during pregnancy. The main reason for sick leave was reported back pain. Seventy-four per cent of the women who were on sick leave stated, nevertheless, that they had been in 'good' or 'excellent' health during pregnancy. Of the 149 women who did not take sick leave, 10 reported being in 'bad' or 'very bad' health during pregnancy. 4.3% of the women stated that they had considered themselves to be ill due to an obstetric condition. Conclusion. In addition to actual disease and severe discomfort, certain social conditions and attitudes as well, are likely to explain the increase of pregnant women on sick leave.
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| 10. |
- Sydsjö, Gunilla, 1956-, et al.
(author)
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Relationships and parenthood in couples after assisted reproduction and in spontaneous primiparous couples : A prospective long-term follow-up study
- 2002
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In: Human Reproduction. - 0268-1161 .- 1460-2350. ; 17:12, s. 3242-3250
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: The aim of this study was to analyse relationships and parenthood in primiparous IVF couples and spontaneous primiparous couples. Method: In total, 110 consecutive IVF couples were studied. The control group was matched for women's age and selected out of the total spontaneous pregnant population in the study area. Questionnaires and semi-structured telephone interviews were used to gain information about sociodemographic data, couples' relationships, and the children's health, temperament and behaviour. Obstetrical variables concerning the course and outcome of pregnancy and delivery as well as the health status of the new-borns were obtained from standardized antenatal care and delivery files. Results: There weere no differences concerning gestational age, mode of delivery or neonatal health between the two groups. The IVF couples were more stable over time - from pregnancy until the child was 1 year old - in their relationship, while the control group experienced a decrease in marital satisfaction. The children in the IVF group were assessed by their parents as being more regular/habitual, sensitive and manageable than the control children. Conclusion: The differences present between the groups were in favour of the IVF families, and the effects of the infertility crisis were not notable when the children were 1 year old.
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