Feeding problem remains a common problem among preterm neonates. An experimental study was undertaken to assess the effect of oromotor stimulation on feeding and sucking performance of preterm neonates admitted in selected hospital, west Bengal. Quasi experimental time series design was adopted. From the population of preterm neonates 60 samples (30 in experimental group and 30 in control group) were selected by non-probability purposive sampling. After selection, initially the baseline data was collected using a record analysis proforma. On the 1st day sucking and feeding performance scoring was done before giving the oromotor stimulation to ascertain the homogeneity of the experimental and control group. After that in two consecutive feeding, oromotor stimulation was given to the neonates in experimental group before 15 minutes of the feeding. The intervention was given to the neonates in experimental group for the next two days, twice only in two consecutive feeding. Neonates in control group received routine care. Sucking and feeding performance scoring was done in both groups using a standardized non-nutritive sucking scoring scale and a validated and reliable early feeding performance scale. The result showed that there is significant difference in sucking performance (t=3.60, p<0.05) and feeding performance (t=3.78, p<0.05) among experimental and control group in final observation. It can be concluded that oromotor stimulation is effective to improve the feeding and sucking abilities of preterm neonates. In the neonatal care units, nurses can provide oromotor stimulation to improve feeding and sucking abilities of the preterm neonates. Keywords: Feeding, Sucking, Performance, Preterm, Oromotor stimulation, Neonates, Preterm neonates.

It was globally accepted that allowing Birth companion during labour and child birth is a core component for improving quality care for maternal and child health. But this concept is not universally applied to all health facility. So the researcher conducted “A study to assess effectiveness of presence of birth companion for intranatal women on maternal wellbeing and informative communication in selected government hospitals in West Bengal." The purpose of the study was to assess effectiveness of presence of birth companion for intranatal women on maternal wellbeing and informative communication. A descriptive evaluative research design was adopted to collect data among 64 (with birth companion-32, without birth companion-32) intranatal women selected by non-probability purposive sampling technique. Data were collected by validated and reliable observational checklist (part A), (part B) structured interview schedule and semi structured interview schedule (r=0.82, 0.76, 0.77). Finding revealed that all intranatal women with birth companion received more comfort measures for maternal wellbeing (deep slow breathing 53.13%, back rub 100%, ambulation 87.5%, micturition 62.5% intake sip of water 100% and continuous reassurance 100%) compare to without birth companion (deep slow breathing 28.13%, back rub 21.87%, ambulation 56.25%, micturition 53.13% intake sip of water 56.25% and continuous reassurance 59.37%). Study also revealed that most intranatal women with birth companion felt more comfort after practicing deep slow breathing (25%), back rub (84.37%), ambulating (31.25%), intake sip of water (53.13%) compare to only 6.25% intranatal women without birth companion felt more comfort after intake sip of water and other area those were received comfort measures felt little comfort. Another findings of this study was that most of the intranatal women with birth companion received information about intake fluid (100%), slow walking (34.37%), foetal wellbeing and lie in left lateral position (96.87%), birthing position (100%) and bearing down effort during child birth (96.87%) compare to intranatal women without birth companion received information about intake fluid (56.25%), slow walking (31.25%), foetal wellbeing and lie in left lateral position (87.5%), birthing position (100%) and bearing down effort during child birth (93.75%) during their 1st stage of labour. The main finding was that there was significant difference in maternal wellbeing in terms of comfort level after receiving comfort measures for maternal wellbeing between intranatal women with and without birth companion (t=7.77 at df (62), p<0.05). There was also significant difference in informative communication between intranatal women without birth companion (t=3.45 at df (62), p<0.05). There was statistically no significant association between maternal wellbeing in terms of comfort level and demographic variables and obstetrical profile of intranatal women with and without birth companion at 0.05 level of significance. But according to odd ratio (OR) most intranatal women with birth companion felt comfort in respect of having relationship with birth companion (of women 1.05 times higher than mother-in-law), with gravida ( primi gravida 1.05 times higher than multi gravida) and gestational age ( >37 weeks 1.63 times higher than <37 weeks).Hospital authority, nursing administrators can encourage and allow intranatal women to have reliable birth companion with her throughout birthing process. The further study can be done in the other area of informative communication in terms of progress of labour, maternal wellbeing in terms of reducing labour pain, duration of labour and effectiveness of birth companion in terms of maternal satisfaction, maternal and neonatal outcome. So we can conclude on the basis of findings that intranatal women feel more comfort and receive more information in the presence of birth companion during labour process. Keywords: birth companion, intranatal women, maternal wellbeing, informative communication.

The most common cause of maternal death worldwide is postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) and Active Management of Third Stage of Labour (AMTSL) is the most important prophylactic intervention for prevention of PPH. A study was undertaken to assess the effect of AMTSL with and without uterine massage on maternal outcome among postnatal mothers in a selected hospital, WB. In this quasi-experimental study, Total 60 (Experimental Group-30, Control Group-30) postnatal mothers who undergone spontaneous vaginal delivery were selected by non-probability purposive sampling technique followed by randomization. The uterine massage is applied for 1 min immediately after placental delivery to 2 hours of postpartum at every 15 mins interval. The results revealed that there was no statistically significant difference of mean amount of postpartum bleeding between experimental and control group at 1st hour, 2nd hour, 24 hours, and 48 hours [t1= 1.06, t2= 1.52, t3=0.47, t4=0.26 at df (58), p>0.05]. The general condition (BP, Pulse, Respiration) after 1st hour, 2nd hour, 24 hours and 48 hours were comparable and statistically not significant between the two groups. There was no significant association between amount of postpartum bleeding and obstetrical parameters like parity, gravida, POG, presence of episiotomy, birth weight, time of placental delivery, presence of tear and time of initiation of breast feeding etc. for both groups. Based on the results of the current study, it can be concluded that the mothers who received the uterine massage along with AMTSL get no additional benefit as compared to control group. Keywords: Active management of third stage of labour (AMTSL); Uterine massage; Maternal outcome; Postnatal mother.

Postnatal period is a very vulnerable time because most of the maternal and neonatal death occur during this period. Nurses and midwives are the most important stakeholders in the health care delivery system in order to meet the quality care for the patients. PDCA cycle as a rapid improvement cycle is very helpful to build a standard practice of quality care within the facility. A study was undertaken to assess nurses’ performance related to postnatal care against the International Confederation of Midwives competencies and impact of Plan-Do-Check-Act cycle in maternity unit of selected Hospital, Medinipur. Pre-experimental research design was adopted. Total 14 nurses working in postnatal ward of selected hospital were selected as study subjects by total enumerative sampling technique. Final data were collected by using validated and reliable semi-structured questionnaire (r=1), structured knowledge questionnaire(r=0.72), structured observation checklist(r=1) and semi-structured interview schedule(r=1). Three PDCA cycles were applied cyclically. The strategies undertaken in the PDCA cycle were identifying the gaps and reasons of gaps in postnatal care and rectifying them in the subsequent PDCA cycle. The main findings of the study revealed that in pretest, very few staff nurses (7.14%) had poor knowledge, more than half of the staff nurses (64.29%) had average knowledge and 28.57% staff nurses had good knowledge. So, gaps were present in nurses’ knowledge on postnatal care as only 35.71% nurses had good knowledge. Majority of the nurses (85.72%) had average skill and very few of staff nurses (7.14%) had poor skill and also very few nurses (7.14%) had good skill in postnatal care. The gaps were identified in skill of checking BP, temperature, breast condition, uterine involution, PV bleeding of mother, checking temperature, respiration and related complications, reflexes, general conditions & other complications of baby, providing support for breast feeding, health education and counselling services. The stated reasons for these gaps were inadequate supply of articles and equipment, less manpower in relation to nurse patient ratio, inadequate space and area for postnatal examination & discharge, forgetting proper steps of some procedures, others (some parameters were checked by doctors, so nurses did not check such as uterine involution of mother, reflexes, general condition & other complications of baby). After taking appropriate strategies in PDCA cycle to reduce the gaps in nurses’ performance it was seen that there was significant differences in mean values between pretest knowledge score with the posttest knowledge score in 3rd PDCA cycle [t=8.683 at df(13), p<005]. There were also significant differences in mean skill scores between pretest & 1st PDCA cycle, 1st & 2nd PDCA cycle, 2nd & 3rd PDCA cycle, pretest & 3rd PDCA cycle [t=16.312, t=8.0, t=6.624, t=17.539 at df(13), p<0.05] respectively. The study can be replicated for other nursing practice area to improve quality patient care through PDCA cycle. So, the current study concludes that PDCA cycle is effective to increase nurses’ knowledge and skill in postnatal care and to increase quality of postnatal care by reducing the gap in the administrative level, logistic level, human resource development (training on knowledge and skill), and infrastructure development. Keywords: Nurses’ performance, Postnatal care, The International Confederation of Midwives Competencies, Plan-Do-Check- Act cycle.