Evidence-Based Practices during Spontaneous and Cesarean Delivery

Abstract

The aim of this research is to investigate evidence-based practices used for maternal optimal care during birth. Investigating the use of evidence-based practices for spontaneous and cesarean deliveries will contribute to maternal optimal care during delivery. This descriptive and cross-sectional study was completed with 371 women giving birth. The study was conducted in a maternity hospital in Turkey. The Descriptive Information Form and the Optimality Index-Turkey (OI-TR) were used in the data collection. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. In spontaneous and cesarean delivery groups, the nonstress test was performed in 100%. Skin-to-skin contact was not ensured between the mother and neonate in any of them (100%). Also, for spontaneous delivery group labor induction or augmentation was applied to 73.1%, there was no person providing support during labor (except the medical team) in any of them (100%), the non-supine position was not used at birth in any of them (100%) and episiotomy was applied to 59.1%. Our study results point to non evidence-based routine clinical practices in delivery were determined. This situation made the delivery process in the hospital far from optimal. This study revealed that midwives,nurses and clinicans should make knowledge and behavioral changes in their evidence-based practices.