Building the Continuum of Care for Pregnant Women and Young Families

A special issue of Healthcare (ISSN 2227-9032). This special issue belongs to the section "Women's Health Care".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (1 October 2024) | Viewed by 3343

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
1. Sciences Faculty, Universidad Internacional de Valencia, 46002 Valencia, Spain
2. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hospital Universitario de la Ribera, 46600 Alzira, Spain
Interests: pregnancy; childbirth; breastfeeding; nursing

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Guest Editor
Research Group, School of Health Sciences Blanquerna, Universitat Ramon Lull, 08025 Barcelona, Spain
Interests: midwifery care; organization of care; women’s experience; childbirth

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The concept behind this Special Issue—"Building the Continuum of Care for Pregnant Women and Young Families"—is rooted in the fundamental idea of providing human-centered, high-quality ongoing healthcare to expectant mothers, families and their infants. In today's evolving healthcare landscape, bridging the gaps in antenatal, intrapartum and postnatal care is crucial to achieving the well-being of both mother and family. We encourage authors to explore innovative approaches, evidence-based practices, and policy frameworks that aim to enhance the entire spectrum of care for pregnant women, ensuring a healthy pregnancy, safe childbirth, and smooth transition into parenthood. Manuscripts under this theme could delve into topics such as antenatal and intrapartum care, antentatal education, midwifery-led continuity of care, maternal mental health care, postpartum care strategies, pediatric healthcare initiatives, community engagement, digital health solutions, etc.

By addressing these aspects, our aim is to create a holistic, supportive, and empowering environment for expectant mothers and young families, ultimately improving maternal and child health outcomes.

Dr. Rafael Vila-Candel
Dr. Anna Martín-Arribas
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • perinatal care
  • organization of care, maternal mental health
  • postpartum support
  • pediatric healthcare
  • continuity of care
  • family-centered services
  • women-centered care
  • women’s experience
  • community engagement
  • digital health solutions

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

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12 pages, 260 KiB  
Article
Work Situation of Midwives in Spain: Perception of Autonomy and Intention to Leave the Profession: A Cross-Sectional Study
by Susana Iglesias-Casás, Rafael Vila-Candel, Desirée Mena-Tudela, Anna Martín-Arribas and Fátima Leon-Larios
Healthcare 2024, 12(19), 1994; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare12191994 - 6 Oct 2024
Viewed by 1379
Abstract
Background: Developed countries report specific issues regarding the declining midwifery workforce, and their shortage could have serious consequences for women’s sexual and reproductive health. The aim was to understand the perception of autonomy among midwives working in Spain, as well as factors related [...] Read more.
Background: Developed countries report specific issues regarding the declining midwifery workforce, and their shortage could have serious consequences for women’s sexual and reproductive health. The aim was to understand the perception of autonomy among midwives working in Spain, as well as factors related to their intention to leave the profession and their work environment. Method: A descriptive and cross-sectional study using an online questionnaire. Population: midwives working in Spain in any field (clinical, research, teaching, or management). Results: A sample of 1060 midwives was obtained. Of these, 53.7% (n = 569) feel autonomous in their work, 92.4% (n = 978) perceive that their profession frequently suffers from external interference, 46.6% (n = 494) have experienced sexist behaviors at work, and 53% (n = 561) have considered leaving the profession in the last year. Midwives with less than 10 years of experience (57.7%), those aged 31–45 years (59.8%), those with temporary contracts (38.3%), and those working in hospital care (71.9%) show a higher rate of considering leaving the profession (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Considering the current midwifery workforce crisis in Spain, it seems urgent to improve the working conditions of midwives to ensure the continuity and quality of women’s sexual and reproductive healthcare. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Building the Continuum of Care for Pregnant Women and Young Families)

Other

Jump to: Research

18 pages, 605 KiB  
Systematic Review
Influence of Perceived Maternal Self-Efficacy on Exclusive Breastfeeding Initiation and Consolidation: A Systematic Review
by Steven Saavedra Sanchez, Isabel Rodríguez-Gallego, Fatima Leon-Larios, Elena Andina-Diaz, Rosa Perez-Contreras and Juan D. Gonzalez-Sanz
Healthcare 2024, 12(23), 2347; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare12232347 - 24 Nov 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1333
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Different international organizations recommend exclusive breastfeeding during the neonate’s first six months of life; however, figures of around 38% are reported at the global level. One of the reasons for early abandonment is the mothers’ perception of supplying insufficient milk to their [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Different international organizations recommend exclusive breastfeeding during the neonate’s first six months of life; however, figures of around 38% are reported at the global level. One of the reasons for early abandonment is the mothers’ perception of supplying insufficient milk to their newborns. The objective of this research is to assess how mothers’ perceived level of self-efficacy during breastfeeding affects their ability to breastfeed and the rates of exclusive breastfeeding up to six months postpartum. Methods: A systematic review for the 2000–2023 period was conducted in the following databases: Cochrane, Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed, Science Direct, and CINAHL. Original articles, clinical trials, and observational studies in English and Spanish were included. Results: The results comprised 18 articles in the review (2006–2023), with an overall sample of 2004 participants. All studies were conducted with women who wanted to breastfeed, used the Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale or its short version to measure postpartum self-efficacy levels, and breastfeeding rates were assessed up to 6 months postpartum. Conclusions: The present review draws on evidence suggesting that mothers’ perceived level of self-efficacy about their ability to breastfeed affects rates of exclusive breastfeeding up to 6 months postpartum. High levels of self-efficacy are positively related to the establishment and maintenance of exclusive breastfeeding; however, these rates decline markedly at 6 months postpartum Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Building the Continuum of Care for Pregnant Women and Young Families)
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