Induction of labour during the COVID-19 pandemic: a national survey of impact on practice in the UK
Abstract Background Induction of labour (IOL) is one of the most commonly performed interventions in maternity care, with outpatient cervical ripening increasingly offered as an option for women undergoing IOL. The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the context of practice and the option of returning hom...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2021-04-01
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| Series: | BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-021-03781-x |
| _version_ | 1818927378211012608 |
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| author | M. Harkness C. Yuill H. Cheyne S. J. Stock C. McCourt On behalf of the CHOICE Study Consortia |
| author_facet | M. Harkness C. Yuill H. Cheyne S. J. Stock C. McCourt On behalf of the CHOICE Study Consortia |
| author_sort | M. Harkness |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Induction of labour (IOL) is one of the most commonly performed interventions in maternity care, with outpatient cervical ripening increasingly offered as an option for women undergoing IOL. The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the context of practice and the option of returning home for cervical ripening may now assume greater significance. This work aimed to examine whether and how the COVID-19 pandemic has changed practice around IOL in the UK. Method We used an online questionnaire to survey senior obstetricians and midwives at all 156 UK NHS Trusts and Boards that currently offer maternity services. Responses were analysed to produce descriptive statistics, with free text responses analysed using a conventional content analysis approach. Findings Responses were received from 92 of 156 UK Trusts and Boards, a 59% response rate. Many Trusts and Boards reported no change to their IOL practice, however 23% reported change in methods used for cervical ripening; 28% a change in criteria for home cervical ripening; 28% stated that more women were returning home during cervical ripening; and 24% noted changes to women’s response to recommendations for IOL. Much of the change was reported as happening in response to attempts to minimise hospital attendance and restrictions on birth partners accompanying women. Conclusions The pandemic has changed practice around induction of labour, although this varied significantly between NHS Trusts and Boards. There is a lack of formal evidence to support decision-making around outpatient cervical ripening: the basis on which changes were implemented and what evidence was used to inform decisions is not clear. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-20T03:12:03Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-8a0bb2fc0a2a4793912faafe10ec1c68 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1471-2393 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-20T03:12:03Z |
| publishDate | 2021-04-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth |
| spelling | doaj.art-8a0bb2fc0a2a4793912faafe10ec1c682022-12-21T19:55:27ZengBMCBMC Pregnancy and Childbirth1471-23932021-04-012111810.1186/s12884-021-03781-xInduction of labour during the COVID-19 pandemic: a national survey of impact on practice in the UKM. Harkness0C. Yuill1H. Cheyne2S. J. Stock3C. McCourt4On behalf of the CHOICE Study ConsortiaNursing Midwifery and Allied Health Professionals Research Unit (NMHAP-RU), University of StirlingCentre for Maternal and Child Health Sciences, School of Health Sciences, City, University of LondonNursing Midwifery and Allied Health Professionals Research Unit (NMHAP-RU), University of StirlingUsher Institute, University of Edinburgh NINE Edinburgh BioQuarterCentre for Maternal and Child Health Sciences, School of Health Sciences, City, University of LondonAbstract Background Induction of labour (IOL) is one of the most commonly performed interventions in maternity care, with outpatient cervical ripening increasingly offered as an option for women undergoing IOL. The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the context of practice and the option of returning home for cervical ripening may now assume greater significance. This work aimed to examine whether and how the COVID-19 pandemic has changed practice around IOL in the UK. Method We used an online questionnaire to survey senior obstetricians and midwives at all 156 UK NHS Trusts and Boards that currently offer maternity services. Responses were analysed to produce descriptive statistics, with free text responses analysed using a conventional content analysis approach. Findings Responses were received from 92 of 156 UK Trusts and Boards, a 59% response rate. Many Trusts and Boards reported no change to their IOL practice, however 23% reported change in methods used for cervical ripening; 28% a change in criteria for home cervical ripening; 28% stated that more women were returning home during cervical ripening; and 24% noted changes to women’s response to recommendations for IOL. Much of the change was reported as happening in response to attempts to minimise hospital attendance and restrictions on birth partners accompanying women. Conclusions The pandemic has changed practice around induction of labour, although this varied significantly between NHS Trusts and Boards. There is a lack of formal evidence to support decision-making around outpatient cervical ripening: the basis on which changes were implemented and what evidence was used to inform decisions is not clear.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-021-03781-xInduction of labourCervical ripeningCOVID-19Choice |
| spellingShingle | M. Harkness C. Yuill H. Cheyne S. J. Stock C. McCourt On behalf of the CHOICE Study Consortia Induction of labour during the COVID-19 pandemic: a national survey of impact on practice in the UK BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth Induction of labour Cervical ripening COVID-19 Choice |
| title | Induction of labour during the COVID-19 pandemic: a national survey of impact on practice in the UK |
| title_full | Induction of labour during the COVID-19 pandemic: a national survey of impact on practice in the UK |
| title_fullStr | Induction of labour during the COVID-19 pandemic: a national survey of impact on practice in the UK |
| title_full_unstemmed | Induction of labour during the COVID-19 pandemic: a national survey of impact on practice in the UK |
| title_short | Induction of labour during the COVID-19 pandemic: a national survey of impact on practice in the UK |
| title_sort | induction of labour during the covid 19 pandemic a national survey of impact on practice in the uk |
| topic | Induction of labour Cervical ripening COVID-19 Choice |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-021-03781-x |
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