Background: Women undergoing infertility treatment have poor quality of life. This may cause them to withdraw from or refuse treatment. Women undergoing frozen embryo transfer have a treatment interval. The aim of this study was to investigate the status quo of the fertility quality of life in women undergoing frozen embryo transfer and analyse its predictors. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted from August 2019 to August 2020 among women undergoing frozen embryo transfer in a tertiary hospital reproductive centre in Beijing, China. The survey collected demographic characteristics and treatment data and included the fertility problem inventory, the fertility quality of life scale (FertiQoL) and the state-trait anxiety scale. Multiple linear stepwise regression was used to explore the predictors of fertility quality of life. Results: In total, 1062 women completed the survey. Participants reported that they had high levels of fertility-related stress and anxiety during treatment. They also had lower fertility-related quality of life, and the Treatment FertiQoL scored the lowest. The regression results showed that social concern, trait anxiety, duration of treatment and age were risk factors for diminished fertility quality of life. Conclusion: Chinese women undergoing frozen embryo transfer have relatively poor quality of life. The potential predictors of fertility quality of life include social concern, trait anxiety, duration of treatment and age.
13 November 2022 in International Journal of Nursing Studies
Non-pharmaceutical midwifery techniques, including perineal warm compresses, to improve maternal outcomes remain controversial. The aims of this study are to assess the effects of perineal warm compresses on reducing perineal trauma and postpartum perineal pain relief. This systematic review included randomized controlled trials (RCTs). We searched seven bibliographic databases, three RCT register websites, and two dissertation databases for publications from inception to 15 March 2023. Chinese and English publications were included. Two independent reviewers conducted the risk of bias assessment, data extraction, and the evaluation of the certainty of the evidence utilizing the Cochrane risk of bias 2.0 assessment criteria, the Review Manager 5.4, and the online GRADEpro tool, respectively. Seven RCTs involving 1362 primiparous women were included. The combined results demonstrated a statistically significant reduction in the second-, third- and/or fourth- degree perineal lacerations, the incidence of episiotomy, and the relief of the short-term perineal pain postpartum (within two days). There was a potential favorable effect on improving the integrity of the perineum. However, the results did not show a statistically significant supportive effect on reducing first-degree perineal lacerations and the rate of perineal lacerations requiring sutures. In summary, perineal warm compresses effectively reduced the second-, third-/or fourth-degree perineal trauma and decreased the short-term perineal pain after birth.
12 October 2024 in International Journal of Nursing Sciences
Objectives: To review, evaluate, and synthesize the recommendations of guidelines on preeclampsia (PE) from a nursing perspective. Methods: This is a systematic review of international and national guidelines on PE. Electronic databases and related guideline websites were searched from 2013 to 2023. After systematic retrieval and screening, we used the AGREE II tool to appraise the methodological quality of guidelines that met the eligibility criteria. Then, we analyzed and summarized the recommendations using descriptive analysis and the framework method. Furthermore, we rated the quality of evidence and the strength of the recommendations using the GRADE approach. Results: Ten guidelines were included, among which eight were deemed "clinically useful" and records were extracted. In total, 31 recommendations, including 46 items on the nursing management of PE, were summarized from three aspects: 1) antenatal care (18 recommendations), including the assessment and regular monitoring of PE, standardized blood pressure (BP) measurement, prevention education for PE, antihypertensive agent monitoring, and magnesium sulfate (MgSO4) use; 2) intrapartum care (4 recommendations), including childbirth care; 3) postpartum care (9 recommendations), including regular nursing monitoring, breastfeeding care and longer-term health counseling. Most of the evidence was rated as "very low" (19/46) or "moderate" (15/46) quality. For the strength of the recommendations, 30 items were graded as "strong" and 16 items were rated as "weak". Conclusions: This study provides professional, evidence-based nursing care resources both for preservice education for nursing staff and health care education for women with PE to help them detect and treat PE in a timely manner. (c) 2024 The authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of the Chinese Nursing Association. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).
Background: Postpartum depression (PPD) is a prevalent mental health issue with significant implications for maternal and infant wellbeing. Despite extensive research, the complex interplay of perinatal factors contributing to PPD remains inadequately characterized. This study utilizes a network analysis approach to identify central depressive symptoms, critical perinatal risk factors, and pathways contributing to PPD among Chinese postpartum women. Methods: A prospective observational study enrolled 377 women from 10 tertiary hospitals in China. Sociodemographic and perinatal factors were assessed shortly after childbirth. At 4–6 weeks postpartum, PPD symptoms were evaluated using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). Maternal and infant health outcomes, breastfeeding experiences, and family support were captured through self-administered questionnaires. Random forest and Bayesian network analyses were employed to identify influential factors and their interrelationships. Results: Among the participants, 98 women (26.0, 95% CI: 21.6–30.7%) screened positive for PPD (EPDS score ≥10). Anxiety/Worry emerged as the most central symptom in the network, with the highest strength and centrality (Degree = 0.893, Betweenness = 0.888). Key risk factors included breastfeeding challenges (RF = 0.752), maternal physical complaints (RF = 0.431), and adverse infant health conditions (RF = 0.350). Protective effects were observed for prolonged skin-to-skin contact, family support for breastfeeding, and positive childbirth self-perception. Hospital type served as a central bridging node within the network, strongly connected with factors related to peripartum care services, childbirth experience and PPD. Conclusion: This study reveals a significant prevalence of PPD among mothers in China. It underscores the positive impact of skin-to-skin contact, continuous postpartum care and tailored breastfeeding support in addressing PPD. These findings will advance PPD prevention strategies and inform evidence-based clinical practice in postpartum care.