The aim of this study was to investigate the utilization of self-care brochure for relieving mother's minor discomforts during pregnancy. Methods: An interventional quasiexperimental research design was carried out at Antenatal Clinic of Mansoura University Hospital-Mansoura City on 90 primigravida women at ≤34 gestational weeks, who were selected by simple random sampling technique. They were free from any medical and obstetric problems, can read and write, and reported one or more of the associated pregnancy minor discomforts. They were divided into either control or intervention group 45 per each group. The intervention group: had received a self-care brochure beside the routine antenatal care. While the control group had received the routine antenatal care only. Mother's attitude regarding self-care was assessed utilizing Likert scale. Results: Providing the pregnant mothers with a self-care brochure was associated with relieving most of the self-reported pregnancy discomforts among the study group compared to those of the control group as reported by women 3 weeks post intervention. Conclusion: the intervention group had agreed that the self-care guide is easy to be used and the majority of them reported that they will use it in the future pregnancy.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of lavender oil inhalation on labor pain among parturient women. Methods: A quasi-experimental trial was carried out at Labor and Delivery Unit of Mansoura University Hospital-Mansoura City on 250 parturient women in the active phase of the 1st stage of labor, who were selected by purposive sampling technique. They were free from any medical and obstetric problems, age between 20-35 years, with single viable fetus, occiptoanterior position and gestational age from 37 to 42 weeks. They were divided into either control or intervention group 125 per each group. The intervention group: inhaled two drops of 2% pure Lavender oil while the control group inhaled two drops of placebo oil. Pain score were measured by Numeric Pain Intensity and FLAAC Scales just before, immediately and after 30-40 minutes after oil inhalation. Results: pain level of the intervention group was lower than that of the control. Recommendation: the study suggests that lavender oil should be integrated into care provided during 1st stage of labor. Conclusion: lavender oil inhalation associated with lower pain level during the 1st stage of labor.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of applying of spontaneous pushing technique during second Stage of labor in early postpartum fatigue. Methods: A quasiexperimental research design was used to carry out this study at the Labor and delivery unit of Mansoura University Hospital on 100 primigravida women at ≤37 gestational weeks, who were selected by purposive sampling technique. They were free from any medical and obstetric problems, can read and write. They were assigned either to the control or intervention group (n= 50 per each group). The intervention group: had received spontaneous pushing during second stage of labor, while the control group had received the routine pushing technique. Three tools for data collection were used; an interviewing questionnaire schedule, Visual analogue scale for fatigue and women's satisfaction questionnaire. Results: The study showed significant different between the two groups regarding the duration of second stage ,newborn health status &Apger score(7.8 ±1 versus 4 ±1.4 respectively, 0<0.001).Women expressed greater satisfaction with spontaneous pushing (98% versus 44% respectively, p<0.001).Conclusion spontaneous pushing technique is an effecting method in reducing women's fatigue. Recommendation Educating women about the spontaneous pushing technique in the first stage of labor and providing support for spontaneous pushing in the second stage for decrees postpartum fatigue.

Study aim was to assess woman's satisfaction with vaginal birth after caesarean section (VBAC) and caesarean section after vaginal birth (CSAVD). Methods: A descriptive study was carried out at Postpartum Inpatient Ward and Labor and Delivery Unit of Mansoura University Hospital on 60 postpartum women, thirty of them had vaginal birth after a previous cesarean section and thirty had a cesarean section after vaginal birth. Their age ranged between 20 to 35 years, can read and write, and delivered a single full term live neonate. Two tools were used for data collection; a structured interview questionnaire to assess woman's general characteristics and Mackey scale to assess woman's childbirth satisfaction Results: Most of women (93.3%) in the VBAC group were satisfied with their childbirth experience compared to 43.3% in the CSAVD group (p<0.001, X2 =18.266). Conclusion: Most women in the VBAC group were more satisfied with their childbirth experience compared to those in the CSAVD group. Recommendation: The maternity hospitals should encourage obstetricians and maternity nurses to counsel women with a previous CS to undergo VBAC trial in absence of contraindications.

Background: Postpartum blues is a transitional depressive state that viewed as a highly prevalent mental health problem.Setting of the study: the study was conducted in Obstetrics and Gynecology department at Mansoura University Hospitals. Aim of this study: is to assess the effectiveness of an instructional Brochure on relieving postpartum blues. Research Hypothesis: The intervention group who will receive informational instructions brochure about postnatal blues within the first day of giving birth will experience lesser blues at end of 1st week postpartum than the control group. Study Design: Intervention study design carried out between of January 2013 to July 2013. Methods: Intervention study design was conducted in Obstetrics and Gynecology department at Mansoura University Hospitals on 184 postnatal women. Women divided into two groups: control group; received routine discharge instructions and intervention group received information on postpartum blues, on top of routine discharge instructions. Socio-demographic data questionnaire and Arabic version of Beck Depression Inventory Questionnaire (BDI) are used for data collections. Participants filled in both tools on first day of birth and BDI alone at end of 1st and 2nd week postpartum. Results: The study findings revealed that frequency of blues at end of 1st week postpartum is lower in the intervention group than the control group (20.7% versus 69.5%). Conclusion: Instruction information about postnatal blues within the first day of giving birth is an effective method on relieving postpartum blues. Recommendations: The educational brochure was recommended to be distributed and implemented in all maternity health services and MCH center in Mansoura Governorate.