MCN The American Journal of Maternal/Child Nursing

Includes bibliographical references.

Nursing Support During Latent Phase Labor: A Scoping Review -- Adolescents' Perceptions of Childbirth -- Supporting African American Mothers during Nurse Home Visits in Adopting Safe Sleep Practices -- Prenatal Care for American Indian Women -- Grief among Neonatal Intensive Care Nurses -- Mindful Moms: Motivation to Self-Manage Depression Symptoms.

[Article Title: Nursing Support During Latent Phase Labor: A Scoping Review / Rachel Blankstein Breman and Carrie Neerland, p. 197-207] Abstract: Purpose: The purpose of this scoping review was to synthesize the literature on nursing support during the latent phase of the first stage of labor. In 2014, the definition of the beginning of active labor changed from 4 centimeters (cm) to 6 cm cervical dilation. More women may have an induction of labor based on results of recent research showing no causal increase in risk of cesarean birth with elective induction of labor for low-risk nulliparous women. Therefore, in-hospital latent phase labor may be longer, increasing the need for nursing support. Design: Scoping review of the literature from 2009 to present. Methods: We conducted the review using key words in PubMed, CINAHL, and Scopus. Search terms included different combinations of "latent or early labor," "birth," "support," "nursing support," "obstetrics," and "onset of labor." Peer-reviewed research and quality improvement articles from 2009 to present were included if they had specific implications for nursing care during the latent phase of labor. Articles were excluded if they were not specific to nursing, focused exclusively on tool development, or were from the perspective of pregnant women or providers only. Results: Ten articles were included. Results were synthesized into six categories; support of physiologic labor and birth, the nurse's own personal view of labor, birth environment, techniques and tools, decision-making, and importance of latent labor discussion during the prenatal period. Clinical implications: Support for physiologic labor and birth is an important consideration for use of nonpharmacological methods during latent labor. The nurse's own personal view on labor support can influence the support that laboring women receive. Nurses may need additional education on labor support methods.;[Article Title: Adolescents' Perceptions of Childbirth / Cheryl Ann Anderson, Kathy Baker and Lindsay Harter, p. 208-213] Abstract: Purpose: The purpose of this study was to describe adolescents' perception of birth within the first 72 hours postpartum. Study design & methods: A thematic analysis using qualitative data captured via one overarching question about labor expectations as part of a larger, parent quantitative study exploring psychological birth trauma. Results: Forty-two percent (n = 128) of adolescents ages 13 to 19 in the original study responded in writing to one overarching question concerning birth expectations. Four major themes were identified including pain, support, personal control, and fear, with three subthemes. Pain was expressed as a primary theme for all age adolescents and had an impact on all other themes. Expressed fear was general and specific including a fear of dying that emerged as a subtheme along with labor information and emotions. Clinical implications: Lacking a positive birth experience has been linked with poor mental health outcomes (depression and posttraumatic stress) postpartum. Findings offer a guide for nurses and other healthcare providers to promote a positive birth experience for adolescents. Pain management is foremost to adolescents and requires healthcare providers' continued attention. Working together with adolescents to identify and monitor level of pain; assess support needs, feelings of loss of personal control, and signs or verbal expressions of fear; and offer ongoing information about labor progress and necessary procedures can help strengthen bonds between teens and their healthcare provider and create a positive birth experience.;[Article Title: Supporting African American Mothers during Nurse Home Visits in Adopting Safe Sleep Practices / Deborah Stiffler, Sherry Mukasa Matemachani and Lisa Crane, p. 214-220] Abstract: Background: Nurses providing home visits were concerned that some mothers were not routinely using safe sleep practices for their newborns and infants. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to listen to how home visit nurses offer education to their African American clients about the safe to sleep guidelines during the prenatal and postpartum periods and discuss ways nurses could support mothers to be more successful in using safe sleep practices. Study design and methods: A focus group was conducted with home visit nurses who partner with pregnant mothers and follow them through the first 2 years of their child's life. We asked the nurses to discuss how they offer information and education to their African American clients about safe sleep practices and what could be done to support adoption of the guidelines. A qualitative narrative approach was used for data analysis. Results: Seventeen home visit nurses participated in the focus group. We identified two overall themes with eight subthemes. The first theme focused on nurses' perceptions about challenges some mothers have in following the recommendations. The second theme included nurses' perspectives on how to better promote the safe sleep message and educating mothers within their cultural context. Clinical implications: Expectant and new mothers need advice and knowledge about the Safe to Sleep guidelines that provide ways to decrease risk of infant death. Nurses must be aware of their clients' culture and beliefs so they can offer support and information on infant safety within that context.;[Article Title: Prenatal Care for American Indian Women / Mary Beth Johnson, p. 221-227] Abstract: Early and regular prenatal care, which aims to prevent and identify complications associated with pregnancy, birth, and newborn health, is associated with improved health of pregnant women and their infants. American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) women are at risk for pregnancy, birth, and newborn health complications associated with health disparities including poverty, lower educational levels, limited access to healthcare, and adverse childhood events. American Indian/Alaska Native women in the United States experience barriers specifically related to prenatal care, including lack of access, dissimilar communication styles, and inconsistent continuity of care. Culturally appropriate prenatal care should be provided to reduce maternal and newborn morbidity and mortality. Community-based interventions such as home visiting, that may potentially improve prenatal care, focusing on the American Indian tribes of the Northern Great Plains, specifically North Dakota, are discussed.;[Article Title: Grief among Neonatal Intensive Care Nurses / Alison Rodriguez, Arlene Spilker and Deepika Goyal, p. 228-232] Abstract: Background: Nurses working in the high-stress environment of the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) are at high risk of experiencing grief after death of a baby. Design: Using a quantitative cross-sectional design, a convenience sample of nurses working in a Level IV NICU in Northern California, United States completed online surveys. Level of grief among NICU nurses, perceptions of grief support available at their institution, and past and future grief coping methods were assessed. Participants: A diverse sample of 55 NICU nurses, mean age 45.5 (SD = 11.7) years. Setting: A high-acuity NICU in one large Northern California hospital. Methods: Participant demographic data and the Revised Grief Experience Inventory were completed online. Results: Total grief scores ranged between 22 and 82 with a mean of 46.9 (SD = 17.4). Sixty percent (n = 33) moderately/strongly disagreed on adequacy of current grief support services at their institution and 81% (n = 45) reported hospital staff could benefit from additional grief support. Nurses' past grief support included family, friends, and church. Future grief resources would include family, friends, and co-workers. Participants indicated need for debriefing and additional nurse staffing resources at the time of a patient death. Conclusions: Neonatal intensive care unit nurses in our study reported experiencing grief. Debriefing and bereavement support may be helpful for nurses working in high-stress environments where there is a higher likelihood of patient death.;[Article Title: Mindful Moms: Motivation to Self-Manage Depression Symptoms / Sasha Russell, Christine Aubry, Amy Rider, Suzanne E Mazzeo and Patricia A Kinser, p.

233-239] Abstract: Background: Nearly 20% of women in the United States experience depressive symptoms during the perinatal period, with known detrimental effects for the mother, child, and family. Depressive symptoms affect motivation to engage in healthy behaviors and self-management of symptoms. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore the experiences of women with depressive symptoms who participated in a 12-week mindful physical activity intervention (Mindful Moms) throughout their pregnancy. Study design: In this qualitative study, we explore the lived experience of women with depressive symptoms who participated in Mindful Moms, a self-management intervention involving nurse-led motivational sessions and group-based mindful physical activity (yoga). Methods: Semistructured interviews conducted at approximately 6 weeks postpartum provided rich qualitative data that was analyzed using a phenomenological approach. Results: Twenty-five women participated. Findings suggest that participants in Mindful Moms felt empowered to manage their depressive symptoms through the combination of four key factors: a newly recognized need for help, a felt sense of physical and emotional benefit from participation, the power of shared safe space with other pregnant women, support from study staff, and an overall sense of empowerment. Clinical implications: Mindful Moms appears to be a feasible and acceptable approach to enhancing motivation to self-manage depressive symptoms in pregnant women. Nurses working with childbearing women should be aware of the potential benefits of self-management strategies, such as mindful physical activity and motivational interviewing, for women facing perinatal depressive symptoms.