AJ Macfarlane, B Blondel, AD Mohangoo, M Cuttini, J Nijhuis, Z Novak, HS Olafsdottir, J Zeitlin, the Euro-Peristat Scientific Committee
The persisting wide variations in caesarean section and instrumental vaginal delivery rates point to a lack of consensus about practice and raise questions for further investigation. Further research is needed to explore the impact of differences in clinical guidelines, healthcare systems and their financing, and parents’ and professionals’ attitudes to care at delivery.
Helen L. Watson and Soo Downe
There is evidence of discrimination against Romani women in maternity care in Europe. Interventions to address discrimination against childbearing Romani women and underlying health provider prejudice are urgently needed, alongside analysis of factors predicting the success or failure of such initiatives
Kirstie Coxon, Cristina Fernandez Turienzo, Liselotte Kweekel, Bahareh Goodarzi, Lia Brigante, Agnes Simon, Miriam Morlans Lanau
We have a thriving research community in Europe and beyond, and midwives across the world are rising to the challenge of finding new ways of working based on useful, applicable evidence. The Midwifery journal is planning a special issue to bring together research on COVID-19 in pregnancy, and we know that the rapid dissemination of good evidence will help. We also know that we should not be complacent, and that we need to maintain vigilance and speak up for staff safety and for the safe, high-quality care for women and families during the COVID-19 era.
S. Lausberg || Obstetric Violence, at Stake in the Struggle to End Violence against Women
Depuis quelques années, les « violences obstétricales » occupent une place significative dans le militantisme féministe à échelle mondiale et dans les médias. Avec une approche historique, cet article revoit la corrélation entre les violences envers les femmes et leur corps sexué. L’article conclut sur la nécessité de distinguer entre « violences volontaires » et « maltraitances ordinaires » afin d’éviter la reproduction d’un biais cognitif qui ne refléterait pas les progrès récents, visibles tant sur le plan institutionnel que dans le chef des médecins eux-mêmes.
This paper aims to provide a brief outline of the systemic and widespread nature of gynaecological and obstetric violence across many countries in Europe, and to make recommendations to European and national decision-makers to tackle this form of violence.
While this paper does not provide an exhaustive overview of gynaecological and obstetric violence in Europe, it highlights its widespread nature and calls for action from the EU and its Member States. The recommendations include implementing criminal laws to recognize and prohibit such violence as institutional gender-based violence and a human rights violation, adopting policies to respect women's choices in healthcare, collecting more data on the phenomenon, training healthcare professionals on gender-sensitive approaches, tackling sexism and discrimination in healthcare, improving working conditions for health professionals, raising awareness among the general population, and fostering cooperation between medical institutions and civil society organizations.
Raquel Costa, Carina Rodrigues, Heloísa Dias, Benedetta Covi, Ilaria Mariani, Emanuelle Pessa Valente, Mehreen Zaigham, Eline Skirnisdottir Vik, Susanne Grylka-Baeschlin, Maryse Arendt, Teresa Santos, Lisa Wandschneider, Zalka Drglin, Daniela Drandić, Jelena Radetic, Virginie Rozée, Helen Elden, Antonia N. Mueller, Catarina Barata, Céline Miani, Anja Bohinec, Jovana Ruzicic, Elise de La Rochebrochard, Karolina Linden, Sara Geremia, Claire de Labrusse, Stephanie Batram-Zantvoort, Barbara Mihevc Ponikvar, Emma Sacks, Marzia Lazzerini, on behalf of the IMAgiNE EURO study group
To describe the perception of quality of maternal and newborn care (QMNC) around the time of childbirth among migrant and nonmigrant women in Europe. Methods: Women who gave birth at a health facility in 11 countries of the WHO European Region from March 2020 to July 2021 were invited to answer an online questionnaire including demographics and childbirth experience. Data were analyzed and compared for 1,781 migrant and 20,653 nonmigrant women. Conclusion: Gaps in overall QMNC were reported by both migrant and nonmigrant women, with improvements to healthcare necessary for all.
Marzia Lazzerini, Benedetta Covi, Ilaria Mariani, Zalka Drglin, Maryse Arendt, Ingvild Hersoug Nedberg, Helen Elden, Raquel Costa, Daniela Drandi, Jelena Radeti, Marina Ruxandra Otelea, Celine Miani, Serena Brigidi, Virginie Rozee, Barbara Mihevc Ponikvar, Barbara Tasch, Sigrun Kongslien, Karolina Linden, Catarina Barata, Magdalena Kurbanovic, Jovana Ruzicic, Stephanie Batram-Zantvoort, Lara Martín Castaneda, Elise de La Rochebrochard, Anja Bohinec, Eline Skirnisdottir Vik, Mehreen Zaigham, Teresa Santos, Lisa Wandschneider, Ana Canales Viver, Amira Cerimagic, Emma Sacks, Emanuelle Pessa Valente
Interpretation: Reports from mothers have highlighted significant inequities in Quality of Maternal and Newborn Care (QMNC) across countries in the WHO European Region. It is urgently necessary to implement quality improvement initiatives aimed at reducing these disparities and promoting evidence-based, patient-centered, respectful care for all mothers and newborns, both during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.
