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Maternal Health After Childbirth: A Prospective Cohort Study Of 1900 Nulliparous Women Recruited In Early Pregnancy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$697,150.00
Summary
Recent research highlights a concerning burden of ill health in recent mothers. Common health problems in the year after birth are chronic exhaustion, persisting pain, urinary incontinence, bowel problems, sexual problems and depression. This study will investigate the incidence, onset, severity and duration of health problems in the first 18 months after childbirth. A major focus of the study will be on the extent to which common health problems affecting women after childbirth occur as new pro ....Recent research highlights a concerning burden of ill health in recent mothers. Common health problems in the year after birth are chronic exhaustion, persisting pain, urinary incontinence, bowel problems, sexual problems and depression. This study will investigate the incidence, onset, severity and duration of health problems in the first 18 months after childbirth. A major focus of the study will be on the extent to which common health problems affecting women after childbirth occur as new problems in pregnancy, or after childbirth. This involves following women having a first child and measuring their health in pregnancy and the first year after birth. 1900 women having a first birth will be recruited to the study in early pregnancy, and followed up until 18 months after the birth. A major aim of the study is to provide stronger evidence about the role of pregnancy and birth factors in physical health problems after birth. In particular, the study will examine the contribution of method of delivery to pelvic floor disorders (urinary and anal incontinence, perineal pain and sexual problems). The study will also examine reasons why many women choose not to discuss physical and emotional health problems with health professionals in the postnatal period. The influence of cultural, social and economic factors on health service use and disclosure of maternal health problems will be explored. The study will provide the first Australian data on new health problems experienced for the first time after childbirth, and the extent to which pregnancy, labour and birth contribute to subsequent ill-health. The findings will provide stronger evidence on which to base the care of women during childbirth,development and evaluation of primary and secondary prevention strategies, and information to women and their families regarding the risks of obstetric procedures, such as caesarean section and vaginal birth assisted with forceps.Read moreRead less
The Second Australian Study Of Health And Relationships
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,637,477.00
Summary
The present proposal is for the Second Australian Study of Health and Relationships, a survey of 20,000 Australians aged 16–69, in 2011–12 in order to understand and document the changes in Australian sexual behaviour over the past decade. It is essential that policy and practice in the arena of sexual and reproductive health be evidence-based and that the evidence base be as current as is practicable.
The Australian Longitudinal Study Of Health And Relationships
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,292,187.00
Summary
Achieving satisfaction in our intimate relationships is a vital component of our well being. To date, most studies of sexual and reproductive health have focused on how common particular problems might be. Thus, studies have tended to have relatively narrow focuses on, for example, the prevalence of pregnancy, miscarriage and termination, or on patterns of sexual practice and contraceptive use, or on the frequency with which individuals experience sexual difficulties. Yet, all of these are inter ....Achieving satisfaction in our intimate relationships is a vital component of our well being. To date, most studies of sexual and reproductive health have focused on how common particular problems might be. Thus, studies have tended to have relatively narrow focuses on, for example, the prevalence of pregnancy, miscarriage and termination, or on patterns of sexual practice and contraceptive use, or on the frequency with which individuals experience sexual difficulties. Yet, all of these are inter-related aspects of sexual and reproductive health that can have profound impacts on each other. Importantly, most of these studies have looked at these issues at a single point in time and could only infer the likely contribution of prior events on currently observed patterns. This study will recruit a random sample of Australians aged 16 to 65 years and interview them annually, initially over a four-year period. It will collect detailed information about sexual and reproductive health and provide essential information about how sexual and reproductive health changes as we age. It will document the relationships between patterns of sexual behaviour, contraceptive choices, pregnancy and its outcomes, and sexual functioning including the experience of sexual problems and the achievement of satisfaction in our physical and emotional intimate relationships.Read moreRead less
The Australian Longitudinal Study Of Health And Relationships
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,624,798.00
Summary
Ensuring the sexual and reproductive health of the Australian population is essential for our wellbeing as a nation. As well as the overall importance, at least three aspects of sexual and reproductive health are among the key policy issues for present Australian governments: maintaining and increasing the birth rate; reducing the abortion rate; and preventing and controlling Chlamydia infections.
Hypnosis Antenatal Training For Childbirth (HATCh): A Randomised Controlled Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$222,754.00
Summary
Pain and fear associated with childbirth is commonplace. Currently utilised methods of pain relief have limitations and well recognised complications. Evidence suggests that learning self- hypnosis for childbirth may allow mothers to: reduce their need for drugs to relieve pain or to stimulate labour and, increase the chance of having a spontaneous vaginal birth. In addition self hypnosis may reduce a mother's anxiety and the chance of postnatal depression. This trial will take place in the larg ....Pain and fear associated with childbirth is commonplace. Currently utilised methods of pain relief have limitations and well recognised complications. Evidence suggests that learning self- hypnosis for childbirth may allow mothers to: reduce their need for drugs to relieve pain or to stimulate labour and, increase the chance of having a spontaneous vaginal birth. In addition self hypnosis may reduce a mother's anxiety and the chance of postnatal depression. This trial will take place in the largest tertiary maternity unit in South Australia. Women > 34 and < 39 weeks pregnant, who are planning a vaginal birth with one baby lying head first, are eligible to participate. Those women with previous experience of using hypnosis for childbirth; poor English requiring a translator; active severe depression or psychosis under the care of a psychiatrist; or pre-existing pain will be excluded. The women will be allocated by chance into one of three groups; Group 1 participants receive antenatal hypnosis training in preparation for childbirth administered by a qualified hypnotherapist with the use of an audio compact disc on hypnosis for re-enforcement; Group 2 women will receive antenatal hypnosis training in preparation for childbirth using an audio compact disc on hypnosis administered by a nurse with no training in hypnotherapy; Group 3 participants continue with their usual preparation for childbirth with no additional intervention. Women assigned to hypnosis groups commence hypnosis training as near as possible to 37 weeks pregnancy. We plan to recruit 150 women - group. This is the largest well designed trial investigating antenatal hypnosis group preparation for childbirth in late pregnancy. If effective, antenatal hypnosis training would be a simple, inexpensive way to improve the childbirth experience, reduce complications associated with drugs and yield cost savings in maternity care. In addition, this trial will provide clear evidence to guide clinical practice.Read moreRead less
A significant proportion of mothers give birth assisted by forceps or vacuum extraction (Ventouse) when problems occur during labour. A number of problems such as incontinence, haemorrhoids, persistent perineal pain, incontinence and sexual problems seem to be commoner after birth in mothers who have had an operative vaginal birth. It has been suggested that to avoid these problems more women should have an elective caesarean without going through labour at all. Although caesarean births would p ....A significant proportion of mothers give birth assisted by forceps or vacuum extraction (Ventouse) when problems occur during labour. A number of problems such as incontinence, haemorrhoids, persistent perineal pain, incontinence and sexual problems seem to be commoner after birth in mothers who have had an operative vaginal birth. It has been suggested that to avoid these problems more women should have an elective caesarean without going through labour at all. Although caesarean births would probably avoid the problems listed above caesarean births are not necessarily better for women's health in all ways - and they are much more costly. This study will follow-up 990 women who had an operative birth (vaginal or caesarean) in 1996-8, 'debriefing' after birth and assessment of health status and health problems 6 months after birth. It will assess their subsequent recovery and fertility, review the events of pregnancy, labour and birth in their medical records to identify factors associated with incontinence, perineal pain, haemorrhoids and sexual problems, and review the outcome of any pregnancies since the original study. The study will provide: * better long term information about health problems, recovery, and fertility after caesarean birth and after operative vaginal birth; * stronger evidence on factors during labour associated with incontinence and related problems; * documentation of the reasons why women with incontinence and related problems rarely seek help or treatment from GPs or specialists; * evidence of any long-term effects of 'debriefing' after birth.Read moreRead less
The Sexual Health And Attitudes Of Australian Prisoners
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,605,706.00
Summary
The second Sexual Health and Attitudes of Australian Prisoners study will be the largest population-based survey of prisoners’ sexual health, attitudes and behaviour undertaken in Australia. it has been nearly 10 years since the first survey. The 2nd survey will expand survey coverage and examine vulnerable prisoner subgroup, and provide up-to-date evidence essential to sexual and reproductive health policy and practice for this growing and disadvantaged population.