Sexual & Reproductive HealthCare RSS feed: Current Issue. A peer-reviewed journal dedicated to the sexual and reproductive health of women and men. The journal aims to serve its readers as an authoritative resource of disseminating significant sexual and reproductive health related scientific information. Our key audience is the academic, practising, educational and service user including: •midwives •maternity care and neonatal nurses •maternity service users •obstetricians •neonatologists •pediatricians •health sociologists and economists •biologists and psychologists with an interest in maternal and infant research •policy makers in sexual and reproductive health The journal welcomes original papers in all aspects of sexual and reproductive health including: •family planning and counseling •management of pregnancy •labour and delivery •breast feeding and post-natal care •many other aspects of aspects of sexual health including contraception, abortion, sexually transmitted diseases and HIV prevention •issues related to the menopausal and post-menopausal years The journal publishes the following types of paper: original research articles, reviews, short communications, letters to the editor. Please see the Guide for Authors for specific details including online submission at http://ees.elsevier.com/srhc . Why have we launched this new title? Research in the area of sexual and reproductive health is growing internationally, particularly among midwives. In a global perspective there is a huge interest in women's health, which is mirrored in the millennium goals of the UN as well as in international declarations and agreements. Sexual & Reproductive HealthCare aims to take on the role as a contributor of new knowledge and evidence to representatives of the health care sector and society. The journal will present studies demonstrating sexual and reproductive health matters from a multifaceted perspective where the connection between these questions and the individuals' rights will be illuminated. http://www.srhcjournal.org/?rss=yesElsevier Inc.en © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. Sexual & Reproductive HealthCare1877-575632June 2012 © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. healthpermissions@elsevier.comhttp://www.srhcjournal.org/article/PIIS1877575612000031/abstract?rss=yesAbstract: Pregnant women have varying degrees of awareness of their unborn baby’s fitness. A challenge for midwives is to strengthen awareness and use the information from the unborn baby’s mother to increase the possibility for a healthy baby to be born. A special kind of mindfulness, here referred to as mindfetalness are suggested to be a concept to use in antenatal care.Strengthening mindfetalnessIngela Rådestad10.1016/j.srhc.2012.01.002Sexual & Reproductive HealthCare 3, 2 (2012)2012-06-01Sexual & Reproductive HealthCare2012-06-0132S1877-5756(12)X0003-X5960http://www.srhcjournal.org/article/PIIS1877575612000201/abstract?rss=yesAbstract: Objective: The aim was to compare the childbirth experiences of primiparous women with slow labour progress who had received early versus postponed oxytocin augmentation.Methods: The population included healthy primiparous women with slow labour progress after a normal pregnancy and spontaneous onset of active labour at term who had taken part in a randomized controlled trial at two delivery units in Sweden comparing early versus postponed oxytocin augmentation. A total of 536 women were sent the Childbirth Experience Questionnaire (CEQ) one month postpartum. The 22-item questionnaire assesses four domains of the childbirth experience. Main outcomes were the four domains of the CEQ: Own capacity, Professional support, Perceived safety and Participation.Results: There were no significant differences between the women in the early and expectant oxytocin treatment groups in any of the four domains; however, operative births were associated with significantly worse childbirth experiences. Almost every third woman in both groups had negative and depressing memories from the childbirth process.Conclusions: Early oxytocin augmentation for slow labour progress does not appear to be more beneficial than expectant management regarding women’s perceptions of childbirth one month postpartum. Given the risks for the foetus associated with oxytocin treatment, prudent expectant management seems to be a safe and viable alternative.Women’s experiences after early versus postponed oxytocin treatment of slow progress in first childbirth – a randomized controlled trialLiselotte Bergqvist, Anna Dencker, Charles Taft, Håkan Lilja, Lars Ladfors, Lena Skaring-Thorsén, Marie Berg10.1016/j.srhc.2012.03.003Sexual & Reproductive HealthCare 3, 2 (2012)2012-06-01Sexual & Reproductive HealthCare2012-06-0132S1877-5756(12)X0003-X6165http://www.srhcjournal.org/article/PIIS1877575612000213/abstract?rss=yesAbstract: Objectives: To describe the situation of midwifery education, regulation and association in six South Asian countries: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, and Pakistan.Methods: Data were collected via three questionnaires, constructed by the International Confederation of Midwives (ICM) and United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Investing in Midwives Programme, used at a regional workshop in Bangladesh, 2010. Selected for the purpose of this study were 55 out of 134 questions of which two were open-ended. The answers from structured closed-ended questions were analyzed with descriptive statistics and the open ended answers with a qualitative content analysis.Results: There was a variation in midwifery education across South Asia, in terms of entry level, competencies and requirements for teachers. None of the countries had national legislation that recognized midwifery as an autonomous profession. Four of the countries had a midwifery association. Two countries had a curriculum based on ICM’s essential competences for basic midwifery practice. Main recommendations for improving formal midwifery education across the countries were development of legislation, strengthened formal midwifery education, strengthened professional value, and an improved learning environment.Conclusions: The findings might benefit the future midwifery profession in South Asia and is an important step in addressing the MDGs to reduce maternal and newborn morbidity and mortality in the region. With assistance, the area of South Asia will be able to create autonomous midwives that comply with ICM’s global standards for midwifery education and regulation.Midwifery education, regulation and association in six South Asian countries – A descriptive reportMalin Upper Bogren, Anita Wiseman, Marie Berg10.1016/j.srhc.2012.03.004Sexual & Reproductive HealthCare 3, 2 (2012)2012-06-01Sexual & Reproductive HealthCare2012-06-0132S1877-5756(12)X0003-X6772http://www.srhcjournal.org/article/PIIS1877575611000486/abstract?rss=yesAbstract: Objectives: The aim of the study was to explore pregnant women’s experiences of received information in relation to fetal malformation detected on ultrasound.Method: An exploratory descriptive design was used. Semi-structured interviews with women who continued their pregnancy and women who chose to terminate were audiotaped, the information pathway described, and the text subjected to qualitative content analysis.Results: Most of the women who expected a baby with an abnormality experienced the information given as insufficient, often misleading, conflicting, or incoherent, and sometimes negative. Important factors for interaction between women and caregivers were timing, duration, and manner of the initial dialog and ongoing support. Positive interactions improved the women’s ability to understand the information, fostered feelings of trust and safety which reduced their anxiety.Conclusion: Women expressed dissatisfaction both regarding the care-givers’ methods of giving information and apply for information from different specialists and continuity. The study highlights important factors which may be helpful to the professionals for improving the information to this vulnerable group of women.Pregnant women’s experiences, needs, and preferences regarding information about malformations detected by ultrasound scanNina Asplin, Hans Wessel, Lena Marions, Susanne Georgsson Öhman10.1016/j.srhc.2011.12.002Sexual & Reproductive HealthCare 3, 2 (2012)2012-06-01Sexual & Reproductive HealthCare2012-06-0132S1877-5756(12)X0003-X7378http://www.srhcjournal.org/article/PIIS1877575612000183/abstract?rss=yesAbstract: Background: Theoretical models for health care practice are important both as tools for guiding daily practice and for explaining the philosophical basis for care.Aim: The aim of this study was to define and develop an evidence-based midwifery model of woman-centred care in Sweden and Iceland.Method: Using a hermeneutic approach we developed a model based on a synthesis of findings from 12 of our own published qualitative studies about women’s and/or midwives’ experiences of childbirth. For validity testing, the model was assessed in six focus group interviews with 30 practising midwives in Iceland and Sweden.Findings: The model includes five main themes. Three central intertwined themes are: a reciprocal relationship; a birthing atmosphere; and grounded knowledge. The remaining two themes, which likewise influence care, are the cultural context (with hindering and promoting norms); and the balancing act involved in facilitating woman-centred care.Conclusion: The model shows that midwifery care in this era of modern medical technology entails a balancing act for enhancing the culture of care based on midwifery philosophies. The next step will be to implement the model in midwifery programmes and in clinical practice, and to evaluate its applicability.A midwifery model of woman-centred childbirth care – In Swedish and Icelandic settingsMarie Berg, Ólöf Asta Ólafsdóttir, Ingela Lundgren10.1016/j.srhc.2012.03.001Sexual & Reproductive HealthCare 3, 2 (2012)2012-06-01Sexual & Reproductive HealthCare2012-06-0132S1877-5756(12)X0003-X7987http://www.srhcjournal.org/article/PIIS1877575611000474/abstract?rss=yesAbstract: Objective: The prevalence of gonorrhoea has increased worldwide in the last few years. Gonorrhoea is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in the world, and is a serious public health problem because of its associated morbidity and complications. The objective of this study was to estimate the frequency of gonorrhoea-related hospitalisations in Spain between the years 1997 and 2006.Study design: A retrospective epidemiological study was conducted using data from the National Epidemiological Surveillance System (Minimum Data Set [MDS]), where all of the gonorrhoea-related hospitalisations that occurred in Spain during this period were analysed. We calculated the general hospitalisation rates, mortality, case-fatality rate, and length of stay by gender and age.Results: During the course of the study, 928 hospitalisations occurred with a discharge diagnosis of gonorrhoea infection (International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision, Clinical Modification: ICD 9 CM 098.0–098.89 at any diagnostic position), which represented a hospitalisation rate of 0.23 per 100,000 population, a mortality rate of 0.008 per 100,000 population, and a case-fatality of 3.77%. The main suspected causes of death were staphylococcal and streptococcal infections, malignant neoplasm and chronic diseases.The greatest hospitalisation rate was observed in children between the ages of 0 and 4years.Conclusions: The gonorrhoea-related hospitalisation rate in Spain remained constant during the period of the study. A better understanding of the epidemiology of gonorrhoea will allow for the creation of effective preventive measures that will lead to a reduction in the number of new infections.Epidemiology of gonorrhoea-related hospitalisations in Spain between 1997 and 2006M. Carmen Ariza-Mejía, Laura García-García, Alba González-Escalada, Alejandro Álvaro-Meca, Ángel Gil-de-Miguel, Ruth Gil-Prieto10.1016/j.srhc.2011.12.001Sexual & Reproductive HealthCare 3, 2 (2012)2012-06-01Sexual & Reproductive HealthCare2012-06-0132S1877-5756(12)X0003-X8992http://www.srhcjournal.org/article/PIIS1877575612000171/abstract?rss=yesAbstract: The major symptoms of endometriosis are dysmenorrhea and infertility. Pertubations with lidocaine have been shown to reduce dysmenorrhea and have an enhancing effect on fertility. Different concentrations of lidocaine were evaluated in a randomized, double-blind study of pre-ovulatory pertubations with lidocaine solutions in women with dysmenorrhea. The patients had laparoscopically diagnosed endometriosis and normal fallopian tubes. Ninety pertubations were carried out without complications on 26 patients during up to six cycles. The effect was evaluated by means of questionnaires where a clinically significant reduction of dysmenorrhea was reported. Pertubation with lidocaine can be a non-hormonal treatment option for dysmenorrhea.Pertubation with lidocaine – a non-hormonal, long-term treatment of dysmenorrhea due to endometriosisGreta Edelstam, Anette Sjösten, Barbara Jablonowska, Svante Kjellberg, Jack Spira10.1016/j.srhc.2012.02.001Sexual & Reproductive HealthCare 3, 2 (2012)2012-06-01Sexual & Reproductive HealthCare2012-06-0132S1877-5756(12)X0003-X9394http://www.srhcjournal.org/article/PIIS1877575612000195/abstract?rss=yesAbstract: A 33 year-old woman had an emergency caesarean section for retained second twin which was complicated by utero-cutaneous fistula due to red degeneration of intramural fibroid. The utero-cutaneous communication was demonstrated by an examination under anaesthesia using dye test. She then underwent excision of the fistula tract and myomectomy. She recovered well following the surgery. This is the first case of utero-cutaneous fistula where the communication is between the endometrial cavity and skin lesion via a necrotic intramural fibroid following caesarean section. Fistulogram might fail to demonstrate the communication. In highly suspected case, other modalities of investigations could be utilised.Utero-cutaneous fistula after caesarean section secondary to red degeneration of intramural fibroidPei Shan Lim, Mohammad Nasir Shafiee, Shuhaila Ahmad, Mohd Hashim Omar10.1016/j.srhc.2012.03.002Sexual & Reproductive HealthCare 3, 2 (2012)2012-06-01Sexual & Reproductive HealthCare2012-06-0132S1877-5756(12)X0003-X9596