Effects of Pushing Techniques in Birth on Mother and Fetus, Essay Example

Research Question

The proposed research study by Yildirim and Beji (2008) was designed to evaluate the effects of pushing on mother and fetus during the birthing process.

Rationale for Treatment

The Valsalva technique is recommended because it is already commonly used during the second stage of labor in Turkey on a regular basis, and its widespread utilization and effectiveness were worthy of further evaluation (Yildirim and Beji, 2008).

Methodology

Design

The study used a randomized design and involved the recruitment of 100 women who were divided into two pushing groups (Yildirim and Beji, 2008). The study falls under category III on the Level of Evidence scale, which is used to evaluate different types of evidence-based practice research studies.

Subjects

Study subjects were recruited on the basis of their stage of pregnancy (between 38-42 weeks) who anticipated a routine birthing process and to deliver a normal fetus (Yildirim and Beji, 2008). Of the original study subjects, those who required emergency cesarean sections were not eligible for participation, as well as subjects who were admitted to the hospital during the evening hours due to monitoring requirements during the day (Yildirim and Beji, 2008).

Variables

The independent variable is the pushing technique and the dependent variables were the expectation of normal birth so that the pushing technique could be used, as well as those women between 38-42 weeks of pregnancy (Yildirim and Beji, 2008).

Measurement/Evaluating Technique

Based upon the pushing technique that was used, study participants were encouraged to push at different times throughout the birthing process (Yildirim and Beji, 2008). After birth, hemoglobin levels were evaluated and any signs of hemorrhage were identified; in addition, a “postpartum interview form” was used to determine whether or not the pushing technique they were asked to use was acceptable (Yildirim and Beji, 2008).

Discussion Section

History

It is possible that external factors could lead to different study outcomes, such as lack of oxygen and the timing of the pushing technique (Yildirim and Beji, 2008). In addition, the lack of consensus regarding when the second stage of labor begins is problematic when using a technique of this nature (Yildirim and Beji, 2008).

Subject Maturation

It is possible that throughout the study, any changes in the women’s health status could have had a significant impact on their ability to push using the required technique and their subsequent participation (Yildirim and Beji, 2008).

Testing

In this research study, it is not possible to repeat the testing of the dependent variable due to the spontaneous and irreversible nature of the birthing process.

Instrumentation

The study did not change instrumentation at any point in the process, and the procedure remained the same for all subjects.

Statistics: An experienced statistician performed the data analysis function using several different logistic regression analyses (Yildirim and Beji, 2008).

Results: Based upon the study analysis, demographic information regarding the study population was derived; in addition, fetal surveillance and oxygen use were evaluated and were not significantly different (Yildirim and Beji, 2008). Furthermore, hemorrhaging events were minimal and pushing techniques did not have a significant impact on labor in the second stage or on newborn Apgar scores after birth (Yildirim and Beji, 2008).

Conclusions

The two featured pushing techniques do not provide any significant benefits to patients under controlled conditions; nonetheless, those patients who used spontaneous pushing did experience more control and less pain during the birthing event (Yildirim and Beji, 2008). Based upon this observation, the technique should perhaps be examined more closely and objectively and modifications be made to current techniques in accordance with these observations.

References

Yildirim, G., and Beji, N.K. (2008). Effects of pushing techniques in birth on mother and fetus: a randomized study. Birth, 35(1), 25-30.