International Journal of Nursing and Midwifery Research

The Impact of Prenatal Perineal Massage on the Risk of Perineal Tears During Vaginal Childbirth

2026-03-09T03:44:25+00:00

Perineal trauma is one of the most common complications experienced by women during vaginal childbirth. A Perineal Tear can cause several short-term and long-term maternal health problems, including pain, infection, postpartum hemorrhage, and dyspareunia. One non-invasive intervention that has gained increasing attention in maternal health care is Perineal Massage, which aims to increase the elasticity and flexibility of the perineal tissues and prepare them for the stretching that occurs during childbirth. This study aims to examine the impact of prenatal perineal massage on the risk of perineal tears during vaginal delivery. This study used a quasi-experimental design involving pregnant women in their third trimester who planned to deliver vaginally. Participants were divided into an intervention group and a control group. The intervention group performed prenatal perineal massage starting from 34–36 weeks of gestation with a frequency of three to four times per week, while the control group received routine prenatal care without the massage intervention. Data were collected through direct observation during childbirth and review of medical records to identify the incidence and severity of perineal tears. The results showed that the incidence of perineal tears was lower in the intervention group compared with the control group. Women who performed prenatal perineal massage experienced fewer and less severe tears, and a higher proportion maintained an intact perineum during delivery. Statistical analysis using the Chi-square test showed a significant difference between the two groups (p < 0.05). These findings suggest that prenatal perineal massage is a simple and effective intervention to reduce perineal trauma and improve maternal health outcomes during vaginal childbirth.

Effectiveness of the Posyandu Program on the Nutritional Status of Toddlers in Indonesia

2026-03-11T09:13:55+00:00

Toddler nutrition remains a significant public health concern, particularly in developing countries such as Indonesia, where problems such as underweight, stunting, and wasting can affect children’s growth and development. Community-based health services play an important role in addressing these issues, one of which is the Posyandu (Integrated Health Service Post), which provides services such as growth monitoring, immunization, nutrition counseling, and supplementary feeding for mothers and children. This study aimed to analyze the effectiveness of the Posyandu program on the nutritional status of toddlers. The research employed a quantitative cross-sectional design conducted in several Posyandu units within the study area. The study population consisted of toddlers aged 0-59 months and their mothers, from which a sample was selected using a simple random sampling technique. Data were collected through anthropometric measurements, observation, and structured questionnaires. The nutritional status of toddlers was assessed using indicators such as weight-for-age, height-for-age, and weight-for-height. Data analysis was performed using descriptive statistics and the Chi-square test to determine the relationship between participation in Posyandu activities and toddler nutritional status. The results showed that the majority of toddlers who regularly attended Posyandu had normal nutritional status, while those who attended irregularly were more likely to experience nutritional problems. Statistical analysis also indicated a significant relationship between Posyandu participation and toddler nutritional status. In conclusion, the Posyandu program is an effective community-based health strategy for monitoring child growth and improving the nutritional status of toddlers. Strengthening community participation and enhancing the quality of Posyandu services are essential to support better child health outcomes.

Effectiveness of Early Screening for Postpartum Depression Among Mothers with a History of Depression

2026-03-09T08:05:39+00:00

Postpartum Depression is a common mental health condition that affects many women after childbirth and can significantly impact maternal well-being, infant development, and family functioning. Despite its potential consequences, postpartum depression is often underdiagnosed due to the absence of systematic mental health screening in many maternal healthcare services. Early screening is therefore essential to detect depressive symptoms at an early stage and provide appropriate psychological support and intervention. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of early screening in detecting postpartum depression among mothers with a history of depression. This research employed a quantitative cross-sectional design. The participants consisted of postpartum mothers with a documented history of depression who attended postnatal care services in hospitals, maternal health clinics, and community health centers. Data were collected using standardized screening instruments, including the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale and the Patient Health Questionnaire-9. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize participant characteristics and the prevalence of depressive symptoms, while inferential analyses, including chi-square tests and logistic regression, were conducted to examine the relationship between screening results and potential risk factors. The findings showed that approximately 28.3% of participants had screening scores indicating postpartum depression, while a substantial proportion exhibited mild to moderate depressive symptoms. Early screening using standardized tools demonstrated good sensitivity and specificity in identifying mothers at risk. Early screening is an effective strategy for identifying postpartum depression among high-risk mothers. Integrating routine mental health screening into maternal healthcare services can improve early detection, enable timely intervention, and enhance maternal mental health outcomes during the postpartum period.

The Effectiveness of Breast Care on Smooth Breast Milk Production in Postpartum Mothers

2026-03-12T07:59:45+00:00

Breast milk is the most important source of nutrition for infants and plays a crucial role in supporting growth, development, and immunity during the early stages of life. However, many postpartum mothers experience difficulties in producing sufficient breast milk, especially during the early postpartum period. Problems such as delayed milk production, breast engorgement, and inadequate stimulation of the breast can interfere with the breastfeeding process. One of the non-pharmacological interventions that can help improve breast milk production is breast care. This study aimed to analyze the effectiveness of breast care on smooth breast milk production in postpartum mothers. This research used a quantitative approach with a quasi-experimental design using a one-group pretest–posttest method. The study was conducted at a maternal health service facility and involved 30 postpartum mothers selected using purposive sampling. Data were collected using observation sheets to assess indicators of breast milk production before and after the breast care intervention. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and the Wilcoxon signed-rank test to determine the significance of the intervention. The results showed that before the breast care intervention, the majority of respondents (70%) experienced unsmooth breast milk production, while after the intervention, most respondents (76.7%) experienced smooth breast milk production. Statistical analysis showed a significant difference between pretest and posttest results (p = 0.001). In conclusion, breast care is effective in improving smooth breast milk production in postpartum mothers. Therefore, health workers are encouraged to provide education and guidance on breast care practices to support successful breastfeeding.

The Role of Nutritional Counseling in Reducing the Incidence of Anemia among Pregnant Women with Iron Deficiency

2026-03-10T09:33:34+00:00

Anemia during pregnancy is a common nutritional problem that can negatively affect maternal and fetal health, primarily caused by iron deficiency and inadequate nutritional intake. This condition can increase the risk of complications such as fatigue, infection, premature birth, and low birth weight. Therefore, effective interventions are needed to improve maternal nutrition and prevent anemia during pregnancy. This study aimed to analyze the role of nutritional counseling in reducing the incidence of anemia among pregnant women with iron deficiency. The research used a quantitative approach with a quasi-experimental pretest–posttest design involving 30 pregnant women diagnosed with iron deficiency, selected using purposive sampling. Data were collected through questionnaires to assess maternal nutritional knowledge, 24-hour dietary recall to evaluate iron intake, and hemoglobin measurements to determine anemia status. The intervention consisted of structured nutritional counseling sessions conducted during antenatal care visits. Data analysis was performed using descriptive statistics and paired t-tests to compare hemoglobin levels and knowledge scores before and after the intervention. The results showed that nutritional counseling significantly improved pregnant women’s knowledge regarding iron nutrition and anemia prevention, encouraged healthier dietary behavior, and increased the consumption of iron-rich foods and adherence to iron supplementation. In conclusion, nutritional counseling is an effective strategy to improve maternal nutritional knowledge, dietary practices, and hemoglobin levels, and its integration into routine antenatal care services can contribute to the prevention of anemia and the improvement of maternal and fetal health outcomes.