Group antenatal care, initially developed in the U.S. several decades ago, is a promising model that responds to women’s health and information concerns during pregnancy. Management Sciences for Health is testing the feasibility and acceptability of person-centered, group antenatal care in the context of eastern Uganda…read more
“Dropping Out” Before Delivery: When Skilled Care Is not High Quality Care
Posted onWomen who receive skilled care during pregnancy often “drop out” during a critical period of the continuum of care and end up delivering at home or in the community without a certified, properly trained health professional. Based on nationally representative data from 28 African countries, researchers explored the relationship between women’s antenatal care experiences and their likelihood of delivering with a skilled birth attendant…read more
Quality of Routine Labor and Delivery Care in Uttar Pradesh, India: Are Private Facilities Better?
Posted onWhile studies of public facilities in India have indicated generally poor quality of care, evidence from private facilities—particularly for normal labor and delivery—is scarce. In an effort to address this evidence gap, a recent article from the Bulletin of the World Health Organization assessed the quality of essential obstetric and newborn care during routine labor and delivery in Uttar Pradesh, India…read more
Facility-Based Delivery Has Increased in Africa and Asia – Now What?
Posted onEncouraging facility-based delivery as a strategy to increase skilled attendance at birth in order to reduce maternal and neonatal deaths has been a priority in the global maternal health agenda for decades. However, it has been widely recognized that expanding facility-based births without addressing issues of equity, quality and dignity is not sufficient for improving maternal health. A recent paper examined trends in delivery location in Africa and Asia and offered policy recommendations for moving forward…read more
Advancing an Evidence-Based Approach to Episiotomy
Posted onEpisiotomies have long been a topic of debate among clinicians, researchers and advocates. Over the past two decades, a growing body of literature and increased advocacy efforts have led to a general consensus that episiotomy should not be conducted as a standard practice. Nevertheless, in many parts of the world, the majority of women still undergo episiotomy during childbirth…read more
Measuring Women’s Autonomy and Respect During Maternity Care
Posted onEnsuring that women receive high quality, respectful maternity care is essential, but designing and implementing indicators to accurately measure women’s experiences can be challenging. Professor Saraswathi Vedam and colleagues recently published two papers describing new measures related to the quality of maternal health care…read more
Disrespect and Abuse During Childbirth in Nigeria
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Although the literature on violations of respectful maternity care principles around the globe is substantial, there have been relatively few studies conducted in the Nigerian context. A recent systematic review in PLOS One examined the quantitative and qualitative evidence on women’s experiences of disrespect and abuse during childbirth in Nigeria…read more
[Summary] Too Much Too Soon: Addressing Over-Intervention in Maternity Care
Posted onOn 24 April 2017, providers, advocates, researchers and policymakers gathered at the Wilson Center to discuss the growing trend of overuse of medical interventions in global maternal health care. The event, titled, “Too Much Too Soon: Addressing Over-Intervention in Maternity Care,” was part of the Advancing Dialogue in Maternal Health Series…read more
Respectful Maternity Care: A Basic Human Right
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Respectful maternity care is not only a crucial component of quality of care; it is a human right. In 2014, WHO released a statement calling for the prevention and elimination of disrespect and abuse during childbirth, stating that “every woman has the right to the highest attainable standard of health, including the right to dignified, respectful care during pregnancy and childbirth.”…read more
Respecting Choice in Childbirth: Preferred Delivery Positions Among Ethnic Minorities in Vietnam
Posted onFor Vietnam’s ethnic minorities, their cultural preferences and traditions surrounding childbirth are often portrayed as obstacles to the uptake of maternal health services. One cultural preference that is viewed as a barrier to receiving maternal health care is the use of traditional birthing positions. Providing high quality care requires evidence-based policies that respect the cultural practices, preferences and needs of ethnic minorities…read more