Women and Birth最新文献

{"title":"The transition to motherhood among first-time mothers in China during the first six months postpartum: A qualitative study based on the transition shock model","authors":"Yuyang Zhu ,&nbsp;Yue Zhao ,&nbsp;Yulu Zhu ,&nbsp;Qianfeng Zhang ,&nbsp;Ting Li ,&nbsp;Ying Mao ,&nbsp;Xiaojun Shen ,&nbsp;Xia Wang","doi":"10.1016/j.wombi.2026.102170","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.wombi.2026.102170","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Problem</h3><div>Little is known about the transition to motherhood of first-time mothers in China within the first six months postpartum, particularly the multidimensional shock encountered.</div></div><div><h3>Background</h3><div>The transition to motherhood is a multidimensional and dynamic process encompassing physical, emotional, intellectual, and sociocultural and developmental changes, profoundly influenced by sociocultural contexts and directly impacting maternal and infant health outcomes.</div></div><div><h3>Aim</h3><div>To explore the multidimensional transition experiences of first-time mothers in China during the first six months postpartum using the Transition Shock Model.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A descriptive qualitative study design was employed. Using purposive sampling, 16 first-time mothers were recruited for semi-structured interviews. Data were analysed using the framework <strong>method</strong>.</div></div><div><h3>Findings</h3><div>Four main themes and ten sub-themes emerged: 1) Inevitable physiological burden; 2) Complex emotional turbulence; 3) Knowledge and skills dilemma; 4) <strong>Structural dilemma of motherhood within sociocultural frameworks.</strong></div></div><div><h3>Discussion</h3><div>The findings validate the applicability of the Transition Shock Model in the Chinese context and reveal culturally specific stressors, such as “cognitive conflicts in intergenerational parenting cultures” and “intergenerational power imbalances and role encroachment”.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>The transition to motherhood presents first-time mothers with a series of multidimensional and complex challenges in the postpartum period.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48868,"journal":{"name":"Women and Birth","volume":"39 2","pages":"Article 102170"},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146098759","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Evaluating midwife-led continuity of care and breastfeeding outcomes: A quasi-experimental study","authors":"Emma V. Shipton ,&nbsp;Nigel Lee ,&nbsp;Katie Foxcroft ,&nbsp;Susan de Jersey ,&nbsp;Leonie Callaway","doi":"10.1016/j.wombi.2026.102167","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.wombi.2026.102167","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Midwife-led continuity of care is associated with many positive health outcomes for women and babies. However, little is known about the relationship between model of care and breastfeeding rates or duration.</div></div><div><h3>Aim</h3><div>The primary aim of this study was to compare breastfeeding outcomes for women within midwife-led continuity of care and standard care models across postnatal timepoints. The secondary aim was to assess breastfeeding education received during pregnancy between groups.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A quasi-experimental, prospective longitudinal study was conducted, with women from midwife-led continuity of care and standard care enrolled. Questionnaires were administered at five time points across the pregnancy and postnatal continuum (second trimester, third trimester, and one week, one month, and four months postnatal).</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>In total, 383 women consented to participate, with 214 completing the questionnaire at the final postnatal timepoint (94 in midwife-led continuity of care, 120 in standard care). Across postnatal time points, breastfeeding rates (exclusive and any breastfeeding) were statistically similar between groups. During pregnancy, women who received midwife-led continuity of care reported less comprehensive breastfeeding discussions than those cared for within standard care.</div></div><div><h3>Discussion</h3><div>Breastfeeding support and education are part of a midwife’s role and may encourage continuation and exclusivity. However, decisions surrounding breastfeeding are complex and can be influenced by other internal and external factors.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Midwife-led continuity of care was not associated with a statistically significant difference in breastfeeding rates up to four months postnatal. Further investigation to better understand how midwives can support women to improve breastfeeding outcomes is required.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48868,"journal":{"name":"Women and Birth","volume":"39 1","pages":"Article 102167"},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146076767","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Midwifery as a career choice for school leavers: A scoping review of the international literature","authors":"Tanya Capper ,&nbsp;Terri Downer","doi":"10.1016/j.wombi.2025.102142","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.wombi.2025.102142","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Problem</h3><div>Applications to study midwifery are declining despite the need to grow the workforce. With school leavers traditionally comprising a significant proportion of applicants, understanding how they view midwifery as a career choice is important.</div></div><div><h3>Background</h3><div>A steady pipeline of new graduates is essential for midwifery workforce growth. While mature students and registered nurses represent a significant portion of applicants, it is important to explore how school leavers view midwifery as a career.</div></div><div><h3>Aim</h3><div>To identify and synthesise what is known about midwifery as a career choice for school leavers.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>PubMed, CINAHL Ultimate, Web of Science, MIDIRS, Joanna Briggs Institute EBP, ProQuest Nursing and Allied Health and Scopus databases were searched for literature exploring midwifery as a career choice for school leavers. Data from seven documents were charted and thematically analysed.</div></div><div><h3>Findings</h3><div>Five themes were identified: ‘Family and social influences’, ‘Career guidance and information’, ‘Career motivation: vocational vs economic drivers’, ‘Perceptions and professional identity’ and ‘Barriers and challenges.’ These highlight how school leavers decisions about midwifery are influenced by an interplay of social, economic, informational, and systemic factors.</div></div><div><h3>Discussion</h3><div>School leavers’ interest in midwifery is shaped by social influences, especially family opinions, television, internet and media portrayals. To support workforce growth, early promotion through improved career guidance and accurate information is essential.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Understanding the factors that influence school leavers’ career choices is vital to promoting midwifery as a rewarding profession. By providing accurate information, guidance, and support, the profession can be positioned as a fulfilling career path.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48868,"journal":{"name":"Women and Birth","volume":"39 1","pages":"Article 102142"},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145624572","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Parallel journeys: Exploring the lived experience of pregnant women with alcohol/substance use problems in Scotland","authors":"Samantha Ross ,&nbsp;Ruth H. Brown ,&nbsp;Stewart McDougall ,&nbsp;Suzanne O’Rourke","doi":"10.1016/j.wombi.2025.102148","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.wombi.2025.102148","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>The impact of prenatal alcohol and/or substance use on fetal development is well established. While past research has sought to better understand the experiences of individuals affected by such fetal exposures, less is known about the experiences of pregnant women themselves. The current study therefore aimed to examine their lived experiences of accessing services, perceptions of risk, stigma, and how women make sense of this journey as they transition into motherhood.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Semi-structured interviews were conducted with six pregnant women, engaged with a specialist substance misuse midwifery service in Scotland. Data were analyzed using Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis (IPA), finding three super-ordinate themes and associated subthemes.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Participants discussed complex life histories, including trauma, domestic violence, and mental health challenges. Cultural norms surrounding alcohol and substance use were highlighted as complicating recovery and, for some, exacerbated prenatal substance use. Pregnancy was however considered a turning point; a circumstance that enabled sustained engagement with services and provided motivation for initiating recovery. For those continuing to use, their experiences were often characterised by feelings of guilt, worry, and disappointment. All participants described experiencing stigma and judgement, which in turn increased mistrust and created barriers to recovery, accessing care, and recovery.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Findings underpin the importance of non-judgmental and trusting relationships with professionals in promoting service engagement. Recommendations include integrating care models and improving access to recovery resources tailored for the pregnancy period. Addressing societal stigma remains critical to improve the outcomes for pregnant women with substance use dependencies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48868,"journal":{"name":"Women and Birth","volume":"39 1","pages":"Article 102148"},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145688860","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Evaluating two childbirth education programs for improving birth outcomes and consumer satisfaction with their birth experience: A quasi-experimental study.","authors":"Linda Sweet ,&nbsp;Margie McCormick ,&nbsp;Sally Miller ,&nbsp;Alemayehu Mekonnen ,&nbsp;Lucy Gladwell ,&nbsp;Shannon Lambert ,&nbsp;Alanah Hillier ,&nbsp;Cathy Craggs ,&nbsp;Kathleen Murphy ,&nbsp;Vidanka Vasilevski","doi":"10.1016/j.wombi.2025.102139","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.wombi.2025.102139","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Childbirth education aims to inform women about labour and birth physiology, prepare them for parenting, promote health, and build support networks. However, evidence of its impact is mixed, necessitating further research.</div></div><div><h3>Aim</h3><div>This study investigated the effects of two childbirth education programs: a complementary therapies-based program (CTP) and a traditional model (EmpowerEd), on clinical outcomes and consumer’s preparation, knowledge, and confidence related to labour and birth.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A quasi-experimental study was conducted with primiparous women from October 2023 to May 2024. Participants were randomly allocated to one of two antenatal education programs and were case-matched to controls who did not attend education at the health service. Clinical outcomes were extracted from hospital records. Surveys assessed satisfaction, knowledge, and confidence about birth and early parenting over three time points.</div></div><div><h3>Findings</h3><div>There was n = 179 women in CTP and n = 187 in EmpowerEd, with the same number of matched controls. No significant differences were found in caesarean section rates and most other clinical outcomes between the education groups and their controls. Significantly fewer women in the EmpowerEd group used epidurals (43.9 %(n = 75) vs. 55.3 %(n = 88), p &lt; 0.05) compared to the CTP group. EmpowerEd participants were more likely to value pain medication (p = 0.046), report adequate support for labour (p = 0.04), and have higher literacy in pregnancy, postnatal self-care, and newborn care (p &lt; 0.001). Satisfaction was high in both groups.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>While childbirth education showed limited effects on clinical outcomes, both programs improved women’s knowledge and confidence for labour and birth.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48868,"journal":{"name":"Women and Birth","volume":"39 1","pages":"Article 102139"},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145624571","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The State of Asia’s Midwifery 2024 report: Implications for regional and national midwifery workforce policy and practice","authors":"Andrea Nove ,&nbsp;Boe Calvert ,&nbsp;Federica Maurizio ,&nbsp;Caroline SE Homer ,&nbsp;Megan Wylie ,&nbsp;Catherine Breen Kamkong","doi":"10.1016/j.wombi.2026.102165","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.wombi.2026.102165","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Investment in the midwifery workforce is a key element of strategies to improve sexual, reproductive, maternal, newborn and adolescent health outcomes. To document progress and identify challenges in Asia, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) recently published a regional midwifery workforce report. The aim of this paper is to make the findings, and their policy and strategy implications, more visible and accessible.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>The report contained information from 21 Asian countries. The two main data reporting mechanisms were the World Health Organization National Health Workforce Accounts platform and a survey of stakeholders in participating countries, facilitated by UNFPA.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Policy and regulatory frameworks are strong, but often restrict the services that midwives are authorised to provide. Most countries have enough midwives to meet population need for essential care, but some have shortages and/or structural barriers to midwives meeting that need. Most midwife education programs meet global standards for course duration and have curricula guided by national standards, but few align fully to global quality standards. Few countries deploy midwives strategically through data-driven workforce planning, have retention strategies, or midwives in senior leadership positions responsible for setting strategic directions for midwifery.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>The Asian region has made considerable progress in advancing midwifery as a profession, but sustained action is needed to build on that progress, including: accelerate midwife production in countries with a shortage, align education curricula with global quality standards, expand the midwife’s scope of practice to align with global standards, and invest in data-driven workforce planning, deployment, and retention.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48868,"journal":{"name":"Women and Birth","volume":"39 1","pages":"Article 102165"},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145968327","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effect of Ngarrama maternity service on maternal and neonatal health outcomes for First Nations women in three maternity services: a retrospective cohort study in Australia","authors":"Sonia Pervin ,&nbsp;Lauren Kearney ,&nbsp;Tara Denaro ,&nbsp;Sherry Holzapfel ,&nbsp;Jodi Dyer ,&nbsp;Phillipa E. Cole ,&nbsp;Sonita Giudice ,&nbsp;Leonie Callaway","doi":"10.1016/j.wombi.2025.102132","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.wombi.2025.102132","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Problem</h3><div>First Nations women experience health inequities that can increase the risk of adverse health outcomes. Culturally safe continuity of midwifery care is associated with improved pregnancy outcomes, yet First Nations women have had limited access to such models. In 2011, the Ngarrama Maternity Service (hereafter called Ngarrama) was established within Metro North Health, Brisbane, Queensland to provide maternity services for First Nations women and their families. However, the outcomes of the model have not been robustly evaluated.</div></div><div><h3>Aims</h3><div>This study aims to evaluate the pregnancy and birth outcomes of First Nations women and babies receiving care through Ngarrama.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A retrospective cohort study was undertaken. Mothers of First Nations babies who received care from Ngarrama in urban Brisbane, between 2020 and 2021, were included. Outcomes assessed included preterm birth, birth weight, newborn morbidity, neonatal unit admission, antenatal visits, active resuscitation after birth, smoking after 20 weeks of gestation, and breastfeeding 24 h before discharge from hospital.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>1009 First Nations babies were included in the analyses: 522 in the Standard Care group and 487 in the Ngarrama care. Women receiving care within Ngarrama were less likely to give birth to a preterm baby than women receiving standard care (7.1 % compared to 11.2 %). After controlling for confounders, the Ngarrama care significantly reduced the odds of having a preterm birth (OR=0.58, 95 % CI 0.43, 0.78, p &lt; 0.001); smoking after 20 weeks of gestation (OR=0.69, 95 % CI 0.61, 0.77, p &lt; 0.001); and lower neonatal morbidity before discharge (OR=0.58, 95 % CI 0.47, 0.72, p &lt; 0.001).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>The care provided within the Ngarrama Maternity Service reduced preterm birth, smoking during pregnancy, and neonatal morbidity, confirming the effectiveness of a hospital-based continuity of midwifery care model working with community. Increased access and rollout of services of this kind are urgently needed.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48868,"journal":{"name":"Women and Birth","volume":"39 1","pages":"Article 102132"},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145552339","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Evaluating a midwifery student employment model in Aotearoa New Zealand: A national cross-sectional survey of students and midwives","authors":"Caitlin Woods ,&nbsp;Robin Cronin ,&nbsp;Vanessa Jordan ,&nbsp;Dianne Wihone ,&nbsp;Shekinah Gafa ,&nbsp;Katie Groom","doi":"10.1016/j.wombi.2025.102145","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.wombi.2025.102145","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Problem</h3><div>The Maternity Care Assistant (MCA) role was introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic to provide midwifery workforce support in Aotearoa-New Zealand, but its broader impact remains unclear.</div></div><div><h3>Background</h3><div>The MCA role offers casual paid employment to Bachelor of Midwifery students. While designed to support the workforce, its impact has not been formally evaluated, particularly for Māori and Pacific students.</div></div><div><h3>Aim</h3><div>To evaluate the MCA role and its impact on the transition to practice.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A national cross-sectional survey was distributed through midwifery networks using Qualtrics®. Final-year student midwives, early-career midwives, and senior midwives were invited to participate, including those without MCA experience to allow comparison between groups. Survey items were guided by <em>Te Mauri o Rongo</em> (2023 New Zealand Health Charter). Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics and Mann-Whitney U tests; qualitative responses underwent thematic analysis.</div></div><div><h3>Findings</h3><div>Of 150 responses, MCA students (n = 42) reported significantly greater belonging (p &lt; .001), preparedness for professional relationships (p &lt; .001), and comfort seeking support (p = .008) than non-MCA peers (n = 21). Early-career midwives with prior MCA experience (n = 25) reported stronger belonging (p = .006), feeling valued (p = .004), and confidence entering practice (p = .042). Senior midwives (n = 50) supported the role but noted unclear scope of practice limited student development and workforce contributions. Māori and Pacific participants emphasised the value of whanaungatanga (relationships) fostered by the MCA role.</div></div><div><h3>Discussion</h3><div>The MCA role enhances relationships, belonging, confidence, and readiness but lacks consistent definition, limiting its full potential.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Clearer governance is needed to strengthen the MCA role and improve its contributions to workforce development.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48868,"journal":{"name":"Women and Birth","volume":"39 1","pages":"Article 102145"},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145673308","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"‘Making it up as we go’: Midwives’ perceptions of preparedness and role clarity in surrogacy birth care","authors":"Jutharat Attawet ,&nbsp;Leo Ng ,&nbsp;Yunjing Qiu ,&nbsp;Evie Kendal ,&nbsp;Myles Ojabo ,&nbsp;Sarah Jefford ,&nbsp;Micah DJ Peters","doi":"10.1016/j.wombi.2026.102168","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.wombi.2026.102168","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Surrogacy poses unique clinical, psychosocial, and organisational challenges. Midwives, often with limited experience, education, and guidance, may feel uncertain about providing appropriate care, potentially affecting the quality of care and experiences of surrogates, intended parents, and newborns.</div></div><div><h3>Objective</h3><div>This study explored how midwives navigate surrogacy birth care, with a focus on role clarity, involvement of intended parents, and preparedness across the intrapartum and postnatal continuum.</div></div><div><h3>Method</h3><div>An interpretative phenomenological design was adopted. Five midwives with experience in surrogacy births were recruited through professional networks and the Australian College of Midwives newsletter. In-depth interviews were conducted and analysed using reflexive thematic analysis.</div></div><div><h3>Findings</h3><div>Four interrelated themes were identified. <em>Navigating uncertainty without guidance</em> described midwives’ reliance on personal judgement in the absence of surrogacy-specific policies. <em>Balancing multiple parents in the birthing space</em> highlighted tensions when surrogates, their partners, and intended parents all sought presence and recognition during labour and birth. <em>Carrying the emotional labour of ethical tensions</em> captured the moral strain midwives experienced when negotiating competing rights and expectations. Finally, <em>gaps in education and professional development reflected pa</em>rticipants’ limited preparation for surrogacy care, compounded by the rarity of such cases.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>This study highlights how midwives navigate surrogacy birth care without clear guidance, relying on personal judgement while balancing expectations of surrogates and intended parents. Their experiences reveal uncertainty, ethical strain, and limited preparedness, underscoring the need for surrogacy-specific education and organisational guidance to support equitable, inclusive, and women-centred care.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48868,"journal":{"name":"Women and Birth","volume":"39 1","pages":"Article 102168"},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146076768","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A systematic review and thematic synthesis of women’s coping strategies for early to late miscarriage","authors":"Jayde M.Y. Lee ,&nbsp;Claire Feeley ,&nbsp;David Wyatt","doi":"10.1016/j.wombi.2025.102144","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.wombi.2025.102144","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Miscarriage is a common adverse pregnancy outcome that can have long-term negative impacts on women. Coping strategies can indicate how someone attempts to manage their response to a stressor and may provide an indication of how to support them after a traumatic event. Despite emerging qualitative research on miscarriage experiences, there has been no comprehensive synthesis focusing on how women cope with miscarriage.</div></div><div><h3>Aim</h3><div>This study aims to explore women’s experiences of coping with a miscarriage without a known cause occurring up to 24 weeks gestation.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A double-blinded systematic review and thematic synthesis of qualitative papers was conducted. A search of seven databases, supplemented with a manual search was carried out. Articles published in academic journals between 2014 and 2024 were included. Papers were critically appraised using two tools, analysed thematically and critically discussed through a thematic synthesis.</div></div><div><h3>Findings</h3><div>Nine studies conducted across eight countries published between 2016 and 2024 were included. Four themes were identified: Denying or Commemorating the Lost Child, Changed Outlook after the Loss, Seeking a Cause or Meaning, and Social Interactions as a Source of Support or Pain. These themes demonstrate that women cope with miscarriage in diverse ways but with some similarities across different contexts.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>The impact of miscarriage is felt by women cross-culturally. Coping strategies after miscarriage are both highly individualised and deeply interconnected with social attitudes. Maternity and healthcare professionals should consider how their support and response has the potential to empower or further impact the experience of miscarriage.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48868,"journal":{"name":"Women and Birth","volume":"39 1","pages":"Article 102144"},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145624573","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}