BackgroundInterventions can be lifesaving when properly implemented but can also put the lives of both mother and child at risk by disrupting normal physiological childbirth when used indiscriminately without indications. Therefore, this study was performed to investigate the effect of frequent interventions during labor on maternal satisfaction and to provide evidence-based recommendations for labor management decisions.MethodsThe study was performed in descriptive design in a state hospital in Kars, Turkey with 351 pregnant women who were recruited from the delivery ward. The data were collected using three questionnaires: a survey form containing sociodemographic and obstetric characteristics, the Scale for Measuring Maternal Satisfaction in Vaginal Birth, and an intervention observation form.ResultsThe average satisfaction scores of the mothers giving birth in our study were found to be low, at 139.59 ± 29.02 (≥150.5 = high satisfaction level, < 150.5 = low satisfaction level). The percentages of the interventions that were carried out were as follows: 80.6%, enema; 22.2%, perineal shaving; 70.7%, induction; 95.4%, continuous EFM; 92.3%, listening to fetal heart sounds; 72.9%, vaginal examination (two-hourly); 31.9%, amniotomy; 31.3%, medication for pain control; 74.9%, intravenous fluids; 80.3%, restricting food/liquid intake; 54.7%, palpation of contractions on the fundus; 35.0%, restriction of movement; 99.1%, vaginal irrigation with chlorhexidine; 85.5%, using a “hands on” method; 68.9%, episiotomy; 74.6%, closed glottis pushing; 43.3%, fundal pressure; 55.3%, delayed umbilical cord clamping; 86.0%, delayed skin-to-skin contact; 60.1%, controlled cord traction; 68.9%, postpartum hemorrhage control; and 27.6%, uterine massage. The satisfaction levels of those who experienced the interventions of induction, EFM, restriction of movement, two-hourly vaginal examinations, intravenous fluid, fundal pressure, episiotomy, palpation of contractions on the fundus, closed glottis pushing, delayed umbilical cord clamping, delayed skin-to-skin contact, fluid/food restriction, and of those who were not provided pharmacological pain control were found to be lower (p < 0.05).ConclusionMedical interventions carried out at high rates had a negative impact on women’s childbirth experience. Therefore, a proper assessment in the light of medical evidence should be made before deciding that it is absolutely necessary to intervene in the birthing process and the interdisciplinary team should ensure that intrapartum caregivers will “first do no harm.”

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To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first to evaluate the effect of environmental factors on SG formation. Moreover, our study group is one of the largest in the published work. Environmental factors can affect the formation of striae gravidarum. Further studies with different ethnic groups are needed.

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The objective of this survey was to determine the sexual and reproductive health needs of conservative and/or economically challenged adolescent girls. A total of 310 subjects (16.5 ± 2.2 years old), attending three private institutes teaching Islamic matter and the holy Quran and two private institutes teaching carpet-weaving in Erzurum, Turkey, were interviewed between November 2004 and February 2005. The questionnaire covered knowledge on reproductive health and sexual matters to attain their feelings prior to their first menarche, their practices during menstruation, and their awareness of gynecological and sexually transmitted diseases as well as their attitudes toward and responsiveness to domestic violence. Their responses showed that these issues were considered taboo and/or embarrassing to share. Also, a considerable percentage of the girls had no or limited knowledge on reproductive health and sexual matters and mismanaged gynecological problems and domestic violence. Moreover, those had knowledge revealed that their sources were non-scientific information from unprofessional individuals. In conclusion, the conservative and/or economically challenged adolescent girls who are not attending regular high schools need professional lectures on reproductive health and sexual matters.

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Bu çalışma, kadınların doğum sonu dönemde yenidoğan bakımına yönelik yaptıkları geleneksel uygulamaları belirlemek amacıyla tanımlayıcı olarak yapılmıştır. Yöntem: Ocak-Nisan 2013 tarihleri arasında bir hastanesinin doğum servisinde yatan en az bir canlı doğum yapmış loğusa kadınlardan çalışmaya katılmayı kabul eden 500 kadın araştırma kapsamına alınmıştır. Veriler araştırmacı tarafından hazırlanan anket formu ile toplanmıştır. Form kadınlara yüz yüze görüşme yöntemi ile uygulanmıştır. Verilerin değerlendirilmesinde yüzdelik dağılımlar kullanılmıştır. Bulgular: Araştırmaya katılan kadınların %70'inin farklı derecelerde geleneksel uygulamalara önem verdiği ve %80'inin yenidoğan bakımı ile ilgili geleneksel bir uygulama yaptığı belirlenmiştir. Kadınların yenidoğan bakımına yönelik yaptıkları geleneksel uygulamalar arasında ise ilk sıralarda bebeğin kırkını çıkarmak (%97.8) ve bebeği nazardan korumak için (%93) yapılan uygulamaların yer aldığı belirlenmiştir. Ayrıca %66.1'i kundağa sarılan bebeklerin bacaklarının düzgün olacağına inandıklarını belirtmişlerdir. Çalışmada 30 yaş üzerinde olan, eğitim düzeyi düşük olan ve gelirini giderden az olarak tanımlayan kadınların yenidoğan sağlığı ile ilgili geleneksel uygulamaları daha fazla oranda yaptıkları saptanmıştır. Sonuç: Araştırma kapsamında yer alan kadınların doğum sonu dönemde yenidoğan bakımına yönelik bazı geleneksel uygulamaları sürdürdükleri bulunmuştur. Kadınlara bebek bakımı konusunda eğitim verilerek yanlış geleneksel uygulamalar konusunda bilgilendirilmesi ve eğitimlerin sürekli ve düzenli yapılması önerilmektedir. Anahtar Sözcükler: Doğum sonu dönem, Yenidoğan bakımı, Geleneksel uygulamalar. Determining of the Traditional Practices at Postpartum Period Which is Applied to Maintenance of Infant in KarsAim:This search has been done to determine the traditional practices at postpartum period which is applied to maintance of infant in Kars. Method: A total of 500 women attending in the obstetrics department of a hospital who had at least one living birth between January and April 2013 and accepting to participate in this study were included in this study. A questionnaire, prepared by the researcher, was used to collect data. The form has been filled through applying face to face negotiating method to the women. Percentage distributions were used in the analysis of the collected data. Results: 70% of the women participating in the study consider important to some traditional practices in different levels. It was determined that during their postpartum period 80% conducted traditional practices related to infant care. It has been determined the traditional practices at postpartum period which is applied to maintenance of infant as follows: making the forties of infant (97.8%) and the applications to keep evil eye of infant (93%). Also 66.1% stated that the baby's legs were swaddled for obtaining normal shape. In the research the women older than 30, low levels of education, and whose income is less than outcome, apply traditional practices associated with infant...