One of the valuable benefits for Lamaze International members is a subscription to Lamaze International's official journal - The Journal of Perinatal Education (JPE).  The mission of the JPE is to promote, support, and protect natural, safe, and healthy birth through education and advocacy. The journal publishes peer-reviewed articles and evidence-based, practical resources that childbirth educators and other healthcare professionals can use to enhance the quality and effectiveness of their care or teaching to prepare expectant parents for birth.

Through evidence-based articles, the JPE advances the knowledge of aspiring and seasoned educators in any setting-independent or private practice, community, hospital, nursing or midwifery school-and informs educators and other healthcare professionals on research that will improve their practice and their efforts to support natural, safe, and healthy birth.

The journal's content focuses on pregnancy, childbirth, the postpartum period, breastfeeding, neonatal care, early parenting, and young family development. In addition to childbirth educators, the JPE's readers regularly include nurses, midwives, physicians, and other professionals involved with perinatal education and maternal-child health care.  Which highlighted below articles are the ones that you want to explore?

Consider joining Lamaze International to receive this member benefit along with other perks.  There is value and benefit to all birth professionals in joining Lamaze and helping families have safe and healthy births.

This third quarter of 2018's publication is, as usual, chock full of useful information.  Articles include:

Transforming Maternity Care in the United States

Author: Lothian, Judith, PhD, RN, LCCE, FACCE, FAAN

Abstract

In this column, the associate editor of The Journal of Perinatal Education provides a snapshot of the current state of maternity care in the United States and highlights the efforts of researchers, childbirth educators, and professional organizations to transform maternity care practices and, in doing so, to improve outcomes for mothers and babies. The associate editor also describes the contents of this issue, which offer a broad range of resources, research, and inspiration for childbirth educators in their efforts to promote, support, and protect natural, safe, and healthy birth.

Right on Time - Quinn's Birth

Author: Cutler, Kacy

Abstract

In this column, Kacy shares the birth story of her daughter, Quinn. Through using comfort measures for labor that she learned in her exposure to Lamaze Childbirth Educators and Doulas, and by listening to her intuition, Kacy was able to have the hospital birth she desired.

Blueprint for Advancing High-Value Maternity Care Through Physiologic Childbearing

Authors: Avery, Melissa D., PhD, CNM, FACNM, FAAN, Bell, Amy D., DNP, RNC-OB, NEA-BC, CPHQ, Bingham, Debra, DrPH, RN, FAAN, Corry, Maureen P., MPH, Delbanco, Suzanne F., PhD, MPH, Gullo, Susan Leavitt, RN, BSN, MS, Ivory, Catherine H., PhD, RN-OB, FAAN, Jennings, John C., MD, Kennedy, Holly Powell, PhD, CNM, FACNM, FAAN, Kozhimannil, Katy B., PhD, MPA, Leeman, Lawrence, MD, MPH, Lothian, Judith A., PhD, RN, LCCE, FAAN, Miller, Harold D. Ogburn, Tony, MD, Romano, Amy, MBA, MSN, CNM, Sakala, Carol, PhD, MSPH, Shah, Neel T., MD, MPP, FACOG

Abstract

The Blueprint for Advancing High-Value Maternity Care Through Physiologic Childbearing charts an efficient pathway to a maternity care system that reliably enables all women and newborns to experience healthy physiologic processes around the time of birth, to the extent possible given their health needs and informed preferences. The authors are members of a multistakeholder, multidisciplinary National Advisory Council that collaborated to develop this document. This approach preventively addresses troubling trends in maternal and newborn outcomes and persistent racial and other disparities by mobilizing innate capacities for healthy childbearing processes and limiting use of consequential interventions. It provides more appropriate care to healthier, lower-risk women and newborns who often receive more specialized care, though such care may not be needed and may cause unintended harm. It also offers opportunities to improve the care, experience and outcomes of women with health challenges by fostering healthy perinatal physiologic processes whenever safely possible.

Outcomes of Care for 1,892 Doula-Supported Adolescent Births in the United States: The DONA International Data Project, 2000 to 2013

Authors: Everson, Courtney L., PhD, Cheyney, Melissa, PhD, CPM, LDM, Bovbjerg, Marit L., PhD

Abstract

This is the largest study to-date to report on outcomes of care for a national sample of doula-supported adolescent births (n = 1,892, birth years 2000 to 2013). Descriptive statistics were calculated for maternal demographics, risk profiles, labor/birth interventions and occurrences, and birth outcomes. In this national sample, childbearing adolescents and their neonates experienced improved health outcomes and lower rates of intervention relative to national statistics for adolescent deliveries in the United States. Key findings are consistent with previous studies on the effects of doula care for marginalized and medically underserved communities. Results strengthen the case for doulas as a perinatal care strategy for improving maternal and infant health outcomes and decreasing inequities among childbearing adolescents.

Cognitive Breastfeeding Counseling: A Single Session Help Improve Latch Score

Authors: Sreekumar, Kavita, MD, D’Lima, Annely, MD, Silveira, M. P., MD, Gaonkar, Riddhima, MDS

Abstract

Antenatal counseling improves the rate of exclusive breastfeeding. But routine antenatal counseling may not be effective in achieving this. Cognitive behavioral therapy derived techniques may be more useful in improving breastfeeding outcomes. We did this study to test the effectiveness of a single session of cognitive counseling compared to routine counseling in the third trimester for improving LATCH score. Fifty mother–baby dyads were enrolled. Twenty-six mothers underwent cognitive counseling and 24 mothers underwent routine counseling. After birth, the LATCH scores were assessed within the first 24 hours in the newborn. A single session of cognitive breastfeeding counseling in the third trimester is effective in significantly improving the LATCH scores in the immediate newborn period.

Intrapartum Nurse Perception of Labor Support After Implementation of the Coping With Labor Algorithm

Authors: Chance, Kasey D., DNP, FNP-C, Jones, Stacey J., DNP, FNP-BC, Gardner, Carrie Lee, DNP, FNP-BC

Abstract

The purpose of this research project was to determine if using the Coping with Labor Algorithm would lead to changes in the perception of the intrapartum (IP) nurses’ beliefs toward birth practices and frequency of labor support interventions. Twenty-three participants completed the preintervention survey, which included the IP Nurses’ Belief Toward Birth Practice Scale and the Labor Support Scale. Following completion of the preintervention survey, participants received a copy of the Coping with Labor Algorithm and Toolkit and then began implementation of the Coping with Labor Algorithm. After implementation, 13 IP nurses completed the postintervention survey. The surveyed IP nurses reported positive changes in their perceived frequency of labor support and a slight change in their birth beliefs.

“I Didn’t Know What to Ask About”: First-Time Mothers’ Conceptions of Prenatal Preparation for the Early Parenthood Period

Authors: Pålsson, Petra, RN, RM, MSc, Kvist, Linda J., RN, RM, PhD, Ekelin, Maria, RN, RM, PhD, Hallström, Inger Kristensson, RN, RSCN, PhD, Persson, Eva K., RN, RM, RNT, PhD

Abstract

The aim of this phenomenographic study was to describe first-time mothers’ conceptions of prenatal preparation for the early parenthood period in relation to their experiences of early parenthood. Eighteen first-time mothers were interviewed approximately 1 month after giving birth. The categories identified in the analysis were: accessing appropriate sources of support, gaining knowledge to form realistic expectations, and mobilizing and strengthening personal resources. First-time mothers want health professionals to actively address postnatal issues as they have difficulties in knowing prenatally what knowledge will prepare them for early parenthood. Both professional and peer support during pregnancy were conceived as important for gaining knowledge. Professionals can support by guidance to reliable sources of information and encouraging personal reflections and partner communication.

Traumatic Childbirth and Its Aftermath: Is There Anything Positive?

Authors: Beck, Cheryl Tatano, DNSc, CNM, FAAN, Watson, Sue, Gable, Robert K., EdD

Abstract

Up to 45% of new mothers have reported experiencing birth trauma. For some individuals who have experienced a traumatic event, there can be a positive legacy called posttraumatic growth. Using Tedeschi and Calhoun’s Posttraumatic Growth Model as the theoretical framework, the purpose of this pilot study was to determine levels of posttraumatic stress, core beliefs disruption, and posttraumatic growth in women who have experienced traumatic childbirth. Thirty mothers completed the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptom Scale-Self Report, Core Beliefs Inventory, and Posttraumatic Growth Inventory. Type of birth and length of time since the traumatic birth occurred predicted 38% of the variance in posttraumatic growth. In order to help mothers, childbirth educators need to understand the process involved in posttraumatic growth.

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