May
5
Mon
2025
17. Using pregnancy to facilitate physiological birth and future proof the health and well being of the family
May 5 @ 14:00 – 14:50
17. Using pregnancy to facilitate physiological birth and future proof the health and well being of the family @ Zoom

Speaker: Roisin Lennon

Facilitator: Adebukunola Olajumoke Afolabi

Background: Labour hopscotch, a visual tool that encourages activity during pregnancy and childbirth, has been used in one advanced midwife practitioner (AMP) service since 2017 and in Ireland since 2020. A rise in caesarean births and birth weights over 4kg, prompted the introduction of targeted weight gain as per Institute of Medicines (IOM) guidelines in 2022. Conversations about healthy eating and exercise in pregnancy occur at each antenatal visit with the labour hopscotch being a visual prompt to facilitate fetal optimal positioning.

Findings: Annual retrospective audits of both interventions have demonstrated the benefits of using them. Body mass index (BMI) rates over 25 account for 61-63% of the AMP caseload. Excess weight gain was 24% (2023) and 29% (2024) with a resulting EMCS rate of 42% (2023) and 29% (2024) which is higher than the AMP 16% (2023) and 19% (2024). Before the interventions, there was a 57% spontaneous onset of labour (SOL) rate, with 33% birthing before 41 weeks. After the implementation, there was a 72% SOL rate 2023 and 73% 2024. In 2023 92% birthed before 41 weeks and 83% in 2024. IOL dropped from 43% to 28% (2023) and 27% (2024), with emergency caesarean section (EMCS) rates following induction dropping from 33% to 23% (2023) and 25% (2024).

Conclusions: Pregnancy is an opportunity to encourage healthy eating and exercise. These interventions should be viewed as a long-term investment by reducing maternal and childhood complications associated with excess pregnancy weight gain as demonstrated in these retrospective audits