• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.407-414
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• 2011

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare birth outcomes between Korean women and immigrant women. Methods: Medical records were reviewed retrospectively from 201 immigrant women and 201 Korean women who delivered babies at K women's hospital in U city from January 2006 to December 2009. Maternal outcomes related factors included nationality, age, obstetric history, delivery type, indications of cesarean section, and complications of pregnancy and delivery. Principal neonatal outcomes were birth weight, Apgar scores, and complications of newborns. Results: Immigrant women were younger and had fewer pregnancies, abortions, and surviving children than Korean women. The rate of primary cesarean section and its indication in immigrant women were not significantly different from Korean women. However, immigrant women's newborn were more likely to have low birth weight and meconium staining. Conclusion: The results of this study indicate less equity of immigrant women in women's health care, although immigrant women's babies had lower Apgar score and more meconium staining. Nurses should help immigrant women cope with labor process effectively to prevent adverse health outcomes for their newborns.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.477-485
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• 2012

Purpose: This study was done to evaluate the effects of antenatal depression on birth outcomes. Methods: The participants were 255 pregnant women who were followed in a prospective study. Of these, 197 cases were examined included birth weight, Apgar scores at 5 minute, premature contraction, complication of labor, delivery types and laboratory data. Descriptive statistics, ANOVA, Chi square test of linear by linear association, Kruskal Wallis test, Relative Risk, univariate and adjusted multiple logistic regression were used for data analysis with SPSS/Win. Results: Level of antenatal depression was associated with low birth weight ($x^2$=7.69, p=.010). High risk pregnancy was a predictor of low birth weight (OR=6.98 [1.21-40.30]) and baby's weight (OR=2.12, [1.05-4.28]). Prepregnancy body mass index (BMI) was a predictor of complications in labor (OR=3.59, [1.03-12.48]). But there were no significant effects of antenatal depression on other birth outcomes. Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that women with antenatal depression, high risk pregnancy, prepregnancy $BMI{\geq}23kg/M^2$ should be monitored and managed to ensure favorable birth outcomes.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.137-144
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• 1986

A reveiw of 85 patients with uterine anomalies was made in respect to the incidence, chief complaints, the reason of infertility, fetal wastage rate, pregnancy complications, fetal presentations and obstetric outcome after metroplasty from 1980 to 1985. The results were summarized as follows: 1. Incidence of uterine anomaly was 0.18% among all outpatients (85/48,240). 2. Of the 85 patients, there were 36 with bicornuate deformities (42.3%), 21 septate (24.7%), 18 uterus didelphys (21.2%), 8 arcuate (9.4%) and 2 patients with unicornuate anomalies (2.4%). 3. Uterine anomalies were diagnosed by hysterosalpingogram (54.1%), pelvic examination (14.2%) and other operative procedures. 4. Chief complaints were primary infertility (41.2%), secondary infertility (15.3%), repeated pregnancy loss (12.9%), antenatal care (11.8%) and menstural disturbance (10.6%), etc. 5. Twenty-nine patients with uterine anomalies had primary infertility. The cause of infertility was proved nonuterine in 26 cases and remained unknown in 3 cases. 6. The obstetric outcome of 104 pregnancies was spontaneous abortion in 51.0%, premature delivery in 11.50/0 and fetal loss in 57.7%. 7. Complications of 41 present pregnancies were threatened abortion (22%), premature rupture of membrane (12%) and premature labor (10%), etc. The frequency of abnormal presentation was 35.3% and 64.7% of deliveries was made by Cesarian section. 8. Metroplasty was performed in 13 patients who didn't have a baby because of repeated miscarriage and unknown cause of infertility. Subsequently 8 patients had 9 successful pregnancies: 6 patients had 7 healthy babies and 2 patients are now in pregnancy without any complications.

• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.34-45
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• 2000

The study was to find whether the educational program contributed to increase of knowledge and self-efficacy of the postpartal primiparas. This study aimed at improvement of the educational effect for postpartal primiparas. The Subjects were 34 primiparas who were admitted to the obstetric ward in a University hospital from November 15th to December 9th, 1999. The Subjects were those who had no labor pain at the admission time, had no complications during labor and delivery and, gave birth to a healthy baby. They were tested on knowledge and self-efficacy two times, one at the admission time and prior to discharge. After the first test nurses in a maternity ward taught them on postpartal care. Two tools were developed by authors based on literature review. The test tool fr knowledge of postpartal car consisted of 23 items. The test tool for self-efficacy of postpartal care consisted of 16 items. Analysis of demographic data were analyzed with calculation of percentage. Score differences between the first test and the second test were analyzed with paired t-test. The Spss (Win 8.0) program was used for data analysis. The results are as follows. 1. There were not significant influencing general characteristics of primiparous to pre-educational knowledge. There were significant influencing general characteristics of primiparous to post-educational knowledge : occupation(t=13.04, p=0.00), postpartal education(t=5.51, p=0.02). 2. There were not significant influencing general characteristics of primiparous to pre-educational self-efficacy. There were significant influencing general characteristics of primiparous to post-educational self-efficacy : antenatal education(t=5.53, p=0.02) 3. Primiparas' knowledge of postpartal care increased significantly after education(t=13.04, p=0.00). 4. Primiparas' self-efficacy of postpartal care increased significantly after education(t=5.51, p=0.02). 5. Correlation between knowledge and self-efficacy was r=.360(p=0.03). We suggest follow-up studies to find whether primiparas' self-efficacy will last after discharge or not.

• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.284-297
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• 1996

A maternity ward in a hospital in Seoul has an educational program for postpartal mothers since its opening, but evaluation on the program has not been done. This study was to find whether the educational program contributed to increase of knowledge and confidence of the post-partal mothers in the area of postpartal self-care and the newborn baby care or not. This study aimed at improvement of the educational program for posrpartal mothers and the newborn babies. Subjects were 40 primiparae who were admitted to the obstetric ward in a general hospitals in Seoul from August 20th to September 10th, 1995. Subjects were those who had no labor pain at the admission time, had no complications during labor and delivery, gave a birth to a healthy baby, and agreed to participate in this study. All subjects were well educated and were in well-to-do group. Most of them received antenatal care adequately. They were tested on knowledge and self-confidence in the area of postpartal self-care and infant care two times, one at the admission time and the other prior to discharge. After the first test, nurses in a maternity ward and nursery taught them on postpartal self-care and infant care. Education consisted of a 1 hour planned program and incident teachings done at bed side. Four tools were developed by authors based literature review. The test tool for knowledge of postpartal self-care consisted of 15 items which included the definition of postpartum, dangerous symptoms in postpartum, lochia, time to begin coitus, postpartum exercise, sitz-bath, and perineal care. The test tool for self-confidence in postpartal self-care included such items as emergency care on dangerous symptoms in postpartum, sexual life and contraception after postpartum, self-confidence in postpartum exercise and perineal care. The test tool for knowledge of newborn baby care consisted of 18 items which included bathing, umbilical cord care, vaccination, breast feeding, abnormal symptoms of neonate. The test tool for self confidence in the newborn baby care included umbilical cord care, vaccination, breast feeding, emergency care for baby. Analysis of demographic data were analyzed with calculation of percentage. Score differences between the first test and the second test were analyzed with paired t-test. SAS / PC (Release 6.04 for DOS) program are as follows. 1. Mothers' knowledge of postpartal self-care increased significantly after education (t=10.04, df=38, p=0.0001). 2. Mothers' self-confidence in postpartal self-care increased significantly after education (t=6.53, df=38, p=0.0001). 3. Mother's knowledge of the newborn abay care increased significantly after education (t=9.74, df=38, p=0.0001). 4. Mothers' self-confidence in the newborn baby care increased significantly after education(t=8.22, df=38, p=0.0001) Suggestions for further studies and nursing practice were as follows. 1. We suggest studies by randomized control-group pretest-posttest design or nonequivalent control group pretest-posttest design will be done. 2. We suggest follow-up studies to find if mothers's confidence will last or not after discharge. 3. We suggest general hospitals to establish a phone-counseling system.

• Neonatal Medicine
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.94-101
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• 2010

Purpose:In recent years, Korea has showed a steady increase in the frequency of teenage birth, while the overall birth rate has declined. As the teenage birth is known as a high risk pregnancy itself, we examined perinatal complications of teenage mothers and whose neonates in aspects of medical problem, and social status and support. Methods:We examined the perinatal characteristics of teenage mothers and whose babies, who were hospitalized at Korea University Ansan Hospital from January 2004 to July 2009 using medical records retrospectively. Twenty-seven teenage mothers and their 28 babies were enrolled in this study. Results:Teenage mothers were all unmarried and showed high rates of preterm labor, maternal anemia, and unexpected delivery. Among them, 11 (40.7%) were from families that were separated. Eleven mothers (40.7%) did not have any antenatal care. There were high rates of prematurity and low birth weight (60.7% and 64.3%, respectively). The complication included: respiratory distress syndrome, patent ductus arteriosus and necrotizing enterocolitis. Fourteen babies (51.9%) were not going to be brought up by their biological parents. Conclusion:Teenage pregnancy had high rates of preterm labor and associated complications, often caused by the lack of proper antenatal care. Babies from unmarried mothers were likely to be adopted and this could be a social burden. Therefore, to reduce unplanned teenage pregnancy and births, sex education and social supports should be provided to all teenagers.