Pharmacotherapy in the perinatal period--an exploratory study in midwifery.
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.
Tobi
H
H
University of Groningen, The Netherlands.
Schirm
E
E
Verdegaal
A M
AM
de Jong-vd Berg
L T
LT
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
D000700:Analgesics; D006490:Hemostatics; D010120:Oxytocics; D014812:Vitamin K