Abstract
Summary of Abstract: This study examines childbirth practices in Latvia (2020–2023), noting progress in reducing unnecessary interventions like episiotomy and fundal pressure but highlighting challenges as communication.
Introduction/Background: Maternal and newborn care is essential for improving health outcomes, with WHO advising on the importance of respectful care, effective communication and limiting unnecessary interventions. This research examines childbirth practices in Latvia to assessprogress and challenges.
Objectives: Focusing on factors in childbirth practices such as labor positions, cesarean rates, episiotomy, and post-cesarean pain relief, the study reveals trends and ongoing issues, aiming to enhance maternal care quality.
Methods: Data from two surveys conducted as part of the IMAgiNE EURO study examined maternal care quality in Latvian healthcare facilities among women aged 18+. The 2020–2021 dataset included 1860 labor cases and 219 pre-labor cesareans, while 2022–2023 data covered 807 and 82 cases. Phrasing differences were adjusted for comparability, and percentage changes were calculated to track shifts over time.
Results/Discussion: The analysis shows mixed outcomes in childbirth practices. Freedom of position during labor increased by 2.1% (52.8% to 54.9%), consent for instrumental vaginal births by 5.6% (40.3% to 45.9%), episiotomy rates dropped by 4.4% (21.0% to 16.6%), and fundal pressure decreased by 9.0% (66.4% to 57.4%). Pain relief after cesareans declined slightly from 92.1% to 88.2%. Communication about newborn care after cesareans dropped by 4.8% (60% to 55.2%), and emergency cesarean sections during labor rose by 5.4% (10.7% to
16.1%). Planned and pre-labor emergency cesareans remained stable (±1.5%), and instrumental vaginal births showed minimal change (−0.4%).
Conclusion: Childbirth care in Latvia (2020–2023) has improved, with reduced episiotomy rates and fundal pressure, aligning with WHO recommendations. However, communication about newborn care after cesareans needs enhancement. Continued monitoring and targeted efforts are needed to sustain gains and address challenges in maternal care.
Keywords: Childbirth practices, Maternal care, Episiotomy trends, Communication with patient, WHO guidelines.
Introduction/Background: Maternal and newborn care is essential for improving health outcomes, with WHO advising on the importance of respectful care, effective communication and limiting unnecessary interventions. This research examines childbirth practices in Latvia to assessprogress and challenges.
Objectives: Focusing on factors in childbirth practices such as labor positions, cesarean rates, episiotomy, and post-cesarean pain relief, the study reveals trends and ongoing issues, aiming to enhance maternal care quality.
Methods: Data from two surveys conducted as part of the IMAgiNE EURO study examined maternal care quality in Latvian healthcare facilities among women aged 18+. The 2020–2021 dataset included 1860 labor cases and 219 pre-labor cesareans, while 2022–2023 data covered 807 and 82 cases. Phrasing differences were adjusted for comparability, and percentage changes were calculated to track shifts over time.
Results/Discussion: The analysis shows mixed outcomes in childbirth practices. Freedom of position during labor increased by 2.1% (52.8% to 54.9%), consent for instrumental vaginal births by 5.6% (40.3% to 45.9%), episiotomy rates dropped by 4.4% (21.0% to 16.6%), and fundal pressure decreased by 9.0% (66.4% to 57.4%). Pain relief after cesareans declined slightly from 92.1% to 88.2%. Communication about newborn care after cesareans dropped by 4.8% (60% to 55.2%), and emergency cesarean sections during labor rose by 5.4% (10.7% to
16.1%). Planned and pre-labor emergency cesareans remained stable (±1.5%), and instrumental vaginal births showed minimal change (−0.4%).
Conclusion: Childbirth care in Latvia (2020–2023) has improved, with reduced episiotomy rates and fundal pressure, aligning with WHO recommendations. However, communication about newborn care after cesareans needs enhancement. Continued monitoring and targeted efforts are needed to sustain gains and address challenges in maternal care.
Keywords: Childbirth practices, Maternal care, Episiotomy trends, Communication with patient, WHO guidelines.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | EBCOG25-2305 |
| Pages (from-to) | 131-132 |
| Journal | European Journal of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Biology |
| Volume | 313 |
| Issue number | Suppl.1 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Sept 2025 |
| Event | 29th European Congress of Obstetrics and Gynaecology - Frankfurt am Main, Germany Duration: 5 Jun 2025 → 7 Jun 2025 Conference number: 29 https://www.esge.org/event-esge/ebcog-congress/ |
Field of Science*
- 3.2 Clinical medicine
- 3.3 Health sciences
Publication Type*
- 3.4. Other publications in conference proceedings (including local)