title: Pharmacotherapy in the perinatal period--an exploratory study in midwifery.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To gather information on the adherence to the Dutch national neonatal vitamin K policy and on the administration of prescription medication during labor by community midwives.
  
  
  METHODS
  A telephone questionnaire under community midwives in the North of the Netherlands.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the main, the vitamin K practices follow the guidelines with respect to who receives the first dose and maintenance therapy. There is possibly underdosing. Midwives use their license to administer medicines during labor in moderation: 91% report to never use tocolytics, oxytocics or analgesics.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In general, the national vitamin K policy is followed. Information gathered prospectively is needed on the use of pharmacotherapy by community midwives in the perinatal period.
authors.affiliation: University of Groningen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Tobi
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Schirm
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Verdegaal
authors.forename: L T
authors.initials: LT
authors.lastname: de Jong-vd Berg
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000700:Analgesics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D036861:Delivery, Obstetric; D004358:Drug Therapy; D004363:Drug Utilization; D005260:Female; D006490:Hemostatics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008880:Midwifery; D009426:Netherlands; D010120:Oxytocics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011247:Pregnancy; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013689:Telephone; D014812:Vitamin K / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000700:Analgesics; D006490:Hemostatics; D010120:Oxytocics; D014812:Vitamin K