A midwife-led continuity model of care was implemented in governmental maternal facilities in Palestine. Midwives from the hospitals provided outreaching caseload ante- and postnatal care to women in rural villages clinics and homes. This study investigated if the model had impact on important maternal and neonatal health outcomes. A retrospective cohort design was used.
Background: A midwife-led continuity model of care was implemented in governmental maternal facilities in Palestine. Midwives from the hospitals provided outreaching caseload ante- and postnatal care to women in rural villages clinics and homes. This study investigated if the model had impact on important maternal and neonatal health outcomes. Method: A retrospective cohort design was used. Nablus governmental hospital, Rafidia's medical records were reviewed and data extracted involving 2199 women with singleton pregnancies, residing in rural villages, and their new-born babies born between January 2016 and February 2017. Outcomes were limited to the available information in the hospital's birth registry. Important maternal outcomes were postpartum anaemia (Hb \<11), mode of delivery and induction of labour. Important outcomes for new-borns were premature delivery \< 37 weeks, birth weight \< 2500g and 1500g and referral to neonatal intensive care unit. Outcomes were compared between women receiving the midwife-led continuity model of antenatal care and women receiving regular care.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
2,199
Midwives from the hospitals provided outreaching caseload ante- and postnatal care to women in rural villages clinics and homes
Palestinian Ministry of Health
Nablus, West Bank, Palestinian Territories
Emergency Caesarean section rate
Percentage of women undergoing emergency Caesarean section
Time frame: 17 months
Premature birth rate
Babies born before 37 weeks gestational age
Time frame: 17 months
Post partum anaemia in the mother
Low Hb Level at discharge from hospital
Time frame: 17 months
Induction of Labour rate
The rate of women in each group who received induction of labour
Time frame: 17 months
Birth weight
Weight immediately post partum: Low (\<2500g) Very low (\<1500)
Time frame: 17 months
APGAR score 5 minutes post partum
APGAR score
Time frame: 17 months
Referral to neonatal intensive care
Rate of babies that were referred to neonatal intensive care during hospital stay
Time frame: 17 months
Blood transfusion rate post partum
Rate of women receiving blood tranfusion during the hospital stay
Time frame: 17 months
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