Issue 32:4 of The Journal of Perinatal & Neonatal Nursing is the Selected Topics Issue. Within the Perinatal section, there are 4 articles: 1 international qualitative study, 1 research study using hospital discharge and birth certificate data, 1 pilot study, and 1 study submitted as part of a larger body of research work.
The Perinatal Continuing Education article is "Mothers at Risk: Factors Affecting Maternal Postpartum Length of Stay" by Otterloo et al. The purpose of this study was to identify risk factors with the greatest odds of increasing postpartum length of stay (LOS) using hospital discharge and birth certificate data. Chronic hypertension was associated with extended stay as were puerperal infections, eclampsia, and transfusions. Cerebrovascular conditions and infection conferred the highest odds of an extended LOS for those women experiencing a cesarean birth. Multiple risk factors add to the potential for worsening outcomes.
"A Qualitative Study on Midwives' Perceptions of Physiologic Birth in Singapore" in an obstetric-led environment is presented by Wong et al. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis resulting in perceived facilitators and barriers to physiologic birth in this setting. Factors such as supporting the entire birthing team and utilizing antepartum education within this setting could be useful in supporting physiologic labor in the future. The authors noted that advanced age of some of the midwives was found to be a barrier to physiologic birth, but with a small sample size, which would need to be restudied.
The use of a newborn weight check during the postpartum period is discussed by DiTomasso et al in "Postpartum Mothers' Experiences With Newborn Weight Checks in the Home." This study, part of a larger study, measured helplessness, impact on newborn feeding, and confidence among mothers who used a home-based digital scale to monitor newborn weight. A cross-sectional design was used with an online survey. This scale was found to be most helpful to primiparous women. Feeding frequency often changed on the basis of neonatal weight, but only 9% changed the type of feeding method. Confidence in breastfeeding increased in 90% of participants.
"Where Are the Dads: A Pilot Study of a Dads-Only Session in Group Prenatal Care" by Deibel et al involves a small group of fathers (only male partners in this study). The partners/fathers participating in this pilot study indicated the feasibility and beneficial status of including fathers/partners in group prenatal care. The incorporation of fathers/partners in specific activities within group prenatal care warrants further research and investigation.
We encourage the reader to peruse the Perinatal Expert column on latent labor as well as the Legal and Risk Management column on the discovery process in a lawsuit. Parting Thoughts for this issue reflects on maternal morbidity and mortality issues.
In this issue, the neonatal section features a variety of articles on selected topics that are relevant to nurses caring for newborns and their families. The topics included in this issue range from neonatal skin injuries and chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG)-based antisepsis in early premature infants by Vanzi and colleagues to Caring about Preemies' Safe Sleep (CaPSS), which is an educational program aimed at improving adherence to safe sleep recommendations by mothers of preterm infants by Dowling and colleagues. Takahashi and colleagues have reported on the positive association between the duration of skin-to-skin contact and blood glucose level in full-term infants, an important area of practice where more evidence is needed. The research findings from a randomized crossover trial are reported from deFreetas and colleagues on the biobehavioral responses of preterm infants to conventional and swaddled tub baths. An important and often underreported issue pertaining to abusive head trauma and coping with infant crying is reported on by Rabbit and colleagues, with an educational intervention proposed and evaluated.
Please be sure to review additional articles published online. Dr Cleveland and colleagues have reported on Brazilian neonatal nurses' experience with palliative care. Dr Shorey and colleagues report on the effectiveness of the neonatal discharge program for very low birth weight infants on parental efficacy and psychological distress in Singapore. Finally, Dr Tandeberg and colleagues from Norway have written about parent-infant closeness, parent's participation, and nursing support in single-family room and open-bay neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). It is important to note that all 3 of these articles include authorship groups from outside North America, highlighting the increasing number of authors and readers of the Journal of Perinatal and Neonatal Nursing (JPNN) from around the world.
As always, our columnists, Sara Rostas and Joan Smith, have each provided a thought-provoking column for our consideration and reflection. Sara has reported on early caffeine and essentials for the neonatal nurse. Joan reports on the importance of resiliency, which is a core competency in today's NICU nurse leader.
As always, thank you for reading the JPNN. Please reach out to us with any thoughts or suggestions for the journal. Please also note that we have 3 great topic areas planned for forthcoming issues of the journal: innovations in clinical practice, disparities and access to care, and emergency and disaster readiness. It is never too soon to begin preparation of a manuscript for one of these topics-we welcome your submissions!
-Diane J. Angelini, EdD, CNM, NEA-BC, FACNM, FAAN
Perinatal Editor
-Katherine E. Gregory, PhD, RN
Neonatal Editor