Blog Article
One in four women has a caesarean section. Most women recover quickly and without complications. However, some women develop an infection; this may be inside the womb, in the scar on the skin or a severe infection that is present in the blood stream. Developing an infection makes the women's recovery following caesarean more difficult and complicated. Researchers at 探花直播 designed a study aiming to reduce the number of women that develop infection after a caesarean section.听听
The PREPS Trial (Vaginal Preparation at caesarean section to Reduce Endometritis and Prevent Sepsis 鈥� a feasibility study of Chlorhexidine Gluconate) explored ways of reducing infections after caesarean section (C-section) and included a qualitative study focused on developing women-centred outcomes of wellbeing after delivery.听
Infections following c-section contribute to maternal morbidity and mortality. PREPs included the first qualitative study,听conducted by听Professor Annalise Weckesser,听focused on women鈥檚听c-section recovery in relation to infection and infection prevention.听
Professor Annalise Weckesser听found women undergoing c-sections need more information about what constitutes a 鈥榥ormal鈥� post-operative recovery as well as infection prevention information provided in a written format (rather than verbally post-surgery). Her study further evidenced how c-section stigma, and women鈥檚 feelings of guilt for needing them, negatively affected their recovery experiences.听听
Improving local maternal health and infant wellbeing
Research findings informed听探花直播 Women and Children鈥檚 Hospital鈥檚 quality improvement initiative to prevent infections post c-section and to improve information provision for women.听听This initiative was implemented听from January 2019 and 鈥渂y January 2020 the SSI (surgical site infection) rate had decreased by 10%鈥�.
A reduction of significance as the hospital鈥檚 SSI rate (21.08%) was twice that of the national average (9.6%) in 2018. 探花直播 Women and Children鈥檚 hospital delivers an average of 8,200 babies a year; approximately 30% of deliveries are by c-section as the hospital attracts high-risk pregnancies from across the region. SSIs contribute to maternal morbidity and mortality and disrupt postnatal recovery, breastfeeding and infant-parent attachment. Reduced SSI rates are key to improving maternal health and infant wellbeing.
Combatting 鈥淐-Section Guilt鈥澨�
Professor Annalise Weckesser听featured in a BBC educational video 鈥�鈥�, sharing PREPS findings on women鈥檚 experiences of stigma and guilt following caesarean section. The BBC鈥檚 Senior Broadcast Journalist who produced the video stated: 鈥淸The BBC] measures success with the discussion arising from the content as this means the audience was really engaged with the video. There were thousands of comments from women who said this video changed their perspective and made them feel less alone鈥�.听听In September 2020, the video broadcasted on the BBC website, News Channel and social media outlets and 鈥渞eceived 1,761,400 views across the BBC UK and international facing website, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram鈥�. 听听
Project Team:
- Professor Annalise Weckesser听led the Qualitative Study of PREPS
- Bid held by University of 探花直播, Chief Investigator Prof Katie Morris
- External co-investigators听,听,听,听,听
- This research was sponsored by听听
Publications:
- BBC special video on, featuring Prof A Weckesser:听