• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.65-78
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• 2021

Objectives: This study was aimed to investigate the weight change of the high-risk group and the general maternal group and weight-relating factors in the early postpartum period. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of those who received postpartum care from January 1, 2020, to December 31, 2020, in the postpartum care center affiliated with one Korean Medicine hospital. A total of 257 postpartum women's medical charts were included and divided into the high-risk group and the general maternal group. We investigated the weight changes and Body mass index (BMI) of the postpartum women and compared the difference between the two groups after taking the postpartum care. Finally, we used a Pearson correlation analysis to identify the weight-relating factors in the early postpartum period. Results: All the postpartum women showed the following results; 33.81±4.03 years old as the mean age; 22.23±3.28 as pre-pregnancy BMI; 58.21±9.18 kg of pre-pregnancy weight increased into 70.75±9.70 kg in the last month of pregnancy. Of the total 257 patients, 149 (58.0%) of high-risk pregnancy experience and 108 (42.0%) of general pregnancy were included. The edema index right after childbirth was significantly higher in the high-risk group than in the general maternal group (p<0.001), but there was no significant difference in BMI. After treatment with Korean medicine treatments, body weight, BMI, and edema index decreased significantly in both groups (p<0.01). As a result of correlation analysis, weight gain during pregnancy had a significant negative correlation with pre-pregnancy weight and pre-pregnancy BMI and a significant positive correlation with weight and BMI of the last month of pregnancy. In particular, pre-pregnancy BMI and body weight showed a significant negative correlation only in the high-risk group. Postpartum weight loss was significantly positively correlated with pre-pregnancy weight, pre-pregnancy BMI, weight & BMI of the pregnancy last month, weight gain during pregnancy, and decrease in edema (p<0.01) Conclusions: The weight during pregnancy of the high-risk group increased in inverse proportion to the pre-pregnancy BMI. The level of edema right after childbirth was significantly higher than that of the general maternal group, but showed a significant decrease after 2 weeks of Korean medicine treatments. Although it implicates the need for active Korean medicine treatments in the early postpartum period, further studies with controlled groups are needed.

• Journal of the Korean Home Economics Association
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• v.36 no.12
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• pp.25-41
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• 1998

HALS(Hypermedia-Aided Learning System) is very useful computer networking educational system in high information society, and was developed by Kyungwon University. This system has three characteristics; 1) face to face learning, 2) ultra high speed information networing, 3) web based hypermedia courseware. So, the purpose of this study is to try the application to pre-parent eucational program(session 4 : becoming parents through the experience of pregnancy and childbirth). For this purpose it is described the definition and characteristics of HALS. Next, it is represented the model of pre-parent educational program applied to HALS and the pictures of the session 4 (initial window, help function window, etc).

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.173-195
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• 2023

Objectives: To investigate and analyze the assessment indicators and tools used in clinical practice to assess Korean medicine (KM) treatment for infertility, and to establish a basis for assessment tools to diagnose and assess infertility. Methods: Relevant studies published until March 2023 were extracted from Pubmed, Research Information Sharing Service, and National Digital Science Library databases. Results: Sixty-four studies comprising 4,105 patients were included. We investigated pregnancy outcomes, and assessed pregnancy- and childbirth-related factors, overall health, reproductive health, and mental health. Pregnancy result was most common primary outcome. Ongoing pregnancy, stillbirth, miscarriage, and ectopic pregnancy rates were suggested as indicators of pregnancy and childbirth-related assessment. Overall health was most commonly assessed with Likert and Visual analogue scale (VAS). Among reproductive health variables, menstrual history was most frequently assessed. Moreover, indicators such as reproductive function, sexual intercourse, and gynecological disease were assessed. The Infertility Stress Scale and the Fertility Quality of Life tool (FertiQoL) were used to assess mental health. Conclusions: Subjective scales and objective assessment tools, such as the Likert scale and blood tests/ultrasonography, respectively, are used to assess KM infertility treatment. Inconsistent assessment tools make quantitative analyses more challenging. The development of a standardized mental and physical function assessment questionnaire with confirmed reliability and validity ensure the effectiveness of KM infertility treatment, and promote future studies on infertility treatment.

• Journal of the Korean Society of School Health
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.284-294
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• 2017

Purpose: Along with the country's decreasing birth rate, many South Korean women are currently facing the issue of high risk pregnancy. Despite the increasing number of women who prefer to get married at an older age, fewer of them are aware of how to prepare for healthy pregnancy at such age. The following study has been conducted to check the level of awareness and educational demand regarding healthy pregnancy among female university students who are not majoring in medical fields. Methods: Google Forms was used to survey 245 female students attending a university located in the Province of Gyenongi. We asked about their attitudes to and knowledge of pregnancy, their lifestyle, and the demand for pregnancy education. Results: The average age of the participants was 20.4 years. Although the majority of the correspondents answered that they have received education about pregnancy before, many of them displayed a low level of knowledge regarding pregnancy. On contrast, the demand for education about pregnancy and high risk pregnancy was high. Conclusion: For healthier pregnancy and childbirth, more preparation is needed before entering pregnancy. Management programs to be given prior to pregnancy should be developed to promote the knowledge and awareness of healthy pregnancy.

• Journal of Korean Public Health Nursing
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.325-343
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• 2015

Purpose: This study was conducted in order to identify and describe the experiences of health care during pregnancy, birthing, and postpartum period for Vietnamese marriage immigrants. Methods: The participants were 15 Vietnamese married immigrant women who became pregnant and gave birth within the last five years. Data were collected by in-depth interview with Vietnamese women. Data were analyzed using Colaizzi's method of phenomenology. Results: Six theme clusters were extracted as follows: 'being left with no other option in loneliness and longing filled in a limited life', 'continued trials and errors amidst frustration and fear', 'silently following orders despite the quality of medical services that change with each medical care provider', 'compromise by selecting amidst confusion between the Korean way and the way at home', 'depending on family, who is the communication channel, but becoming disappointed', and 'finding the reason for existence and struggling by herself to become a mother amidst doubled confusion'. Conclusion: A program for effective empowerment of Vietnamese immigrant women should be developed. In addition multicultural family centered programs should be developed with emphasis on acceptance of women's culture, respect for her culture, and supports. Medical staffs and nurses should also improve culturally sensitive competence in order to provide care for immigrant women.

• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.85-97
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• 2012

Purpose: This study was done to explore the lived experience of pregnancy, childbirth, postpartum and early child rearing in married immigrant women in urban areas. Methods: Data were collected from February to April, 2011 through in-depth interviews. Nine immigrant women were selected in a metropolitan area through the purposive and snowball sampling method. After obtaining IRB permission and informed consent from the participants, all interviews were recorded with MP3 recorder and transcribed for analysis. Using the phenomenological approach, data collected through in-depth interviewing were analyzed following Colaizzi style. Results: Data analysis revealed 4 categories and 10 themes related to pregnancy, childbirth, postpartum and early child rearing of married immigrant women in urban areas. These four categories were 'A clumsy foreigner's life with nostalgia', 'Crisis in the crisis', 'Unprepared for motherhood', and 'Living together with new family without regrets'. It was a common finding that they were not ready to be mothers because of the very short time for adjustment in Korea. Compared to rural, immigrant women urban women had various in social support systems. Conclusion: The results indicate that adequate education is needed for immigrant women regarding motherhood, and that this education should be culturally appropriate for these women.

• Health Policy and Management
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.585-598
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• 2011

This study was conducted to examine the trend of national health insurance service use with relation to pregnancy, childbirth, and the puerperium among pregnant and postpartum women older than 35 over the last decade. A descriptive analysis was conducted, using the data which were drawn from the "nationwide claim database of Korean National Health Insurance Corporation(NHIC)". Data were composed of the total cases related to pregnancy, childbirth, and the puerperium (International Classification of Disease, $10^{th}$revision [ICD-10] codes O00-O99) from 2001 to 2008. During 2001-2008, the number of pregnant and postpartum women older than 35 had continuously increased and the percentage of them also had increased in both hospital and ambulatory care. There are similar trends in their total use of national health insurance service and total expenditure. According to demographic characteristics, there was the biggest increase of the percentage in residents in large cities, self-employed workers, ones in the highest income level. According to ICD-10 codes, there was the biggest increase of the percentage in O10-O16 (oedema, proteinuria and hypertensive disorders in pregnancy, childbirth and the puerperium). According to the major prevalent disease, there was the biggest increase of the percentage in O60 (preterm labor and delivery). Throughout the past decade, the necessity has been emphasized of supporting pregnant and postpartum women older than 35. But in maternal and child health care, they are in an early stage of development. The findings of this study would be helpful in developing the support programs for the aged pregnant and postpartum women.

• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.379-387
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• 2021

Purpose: This study aimed to determine the actual state of childbirth in Korean women with natural childbirth and the degree of damage to the perineum during childbirth. Methods: This retrospective study analyzed the medical records of mothers who had natural childbirth at a hospital in Seoul, Korea in 2018. Data from 358 women with cephalic births at greater than 37 gestational weeks were analyzed. To determine natural childbirth characteristics and the degree of damage to the perineum, descriptive statistics were done. The difference in the degree of perineal injury according to obstetric characteristics was analyzed using independent t-test and one-way analysis of variance. Results: The mean age was 33.18±3.68 years, and 49.2% were primiparas, while 39% gave birth with a doula. The degree of perineal damage differed by age (F=9.15, p<.001), parity (t=19.13, p<.001), number of births in multiparity (F=3.68, p=.027), previous vaginal delivery in multiparity (F=3.00, p=.032) and birthing posture (F=7.44, p<.001). Having received therapeutic procedures (t=-4.62, p<.001), specifically fluid administration (t=-2.72, p=.007), oxygen supply (t=-2.76, p=.006) and epidural anesthesia (t=-2.77, p=.006) were statistically significant for perineal damage. There were no differences, however, by gestational period, doula use, water room use in labor, baby head circumference, or birth weight. Conclusion: Study findings suggest that support for older women, primiparas, and those who require therapeutic procedures may help to decrease the possibility of perineal damage during childbirth. As perineal damage was also associated with birthing posture, this should be considered when providing intrapartum nursing care.

• Korean Parent-Child Health Journal
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.1-10
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• 2013

Purpose: This study is descriptive research to identify characteristics and childbirth experience of women who selected delivery with midwives. Methods: The research methods included structured questionnaires, open questions and charts and data were collected from March 2009 to May 2010 at one midwifery clinic. The 108 data of primipara and multipara were analyzed using descriptive statistics and grouping in same meaning. Results: The general characteristics of participants were age of 31~35, housewife, college or university graduate, religion 'yes', and economic state 'middle'. The obstetric characteristics of participants were abortion rate of 23.1%, none complication to pregnancy and delivery of 97.2%, and none postpartum complication. This study was analyzed using positive experiences of 3 categories, that is 'comfortable and natural childbirth', 'satisfaction and trust to personal care of midwives', and 'experience of baby-and-family-centered childbirth' and negative experiences of 3 categories, that is 'improvement of healthcare environment', 'insufficient facilities and nursing care', and'burden of cost'. Conclusion: This study is significant, since it investigates in the absence of domestic research on the characteristics of women who delivered at midwifery clinic. Thus, this study provided basic data on the characteristics of women who delivered at midwifery clinic.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.278-290
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• 2018

This investigation reviewed 74 studies related to pregnancy and childbirth of married immigrant women that were selected from national dissertations and others in journals released in the past 10 years from 2007 that were identified using http://www.riss.kr. Analysis on the trend of research was done through result variances used in academic fields, planning researches, main themes and mediative studies. Of the 74 studies, 28 were national dissertations (38.6%) and 46 were articles in academic journals (61.4%), 37 of which were performed by nursing departments (50.0%). Additionally, 45 were quantitative (60.8%) and 29 were qualitative (39.2%) and descriptive research, and 22 in total(29.9%) took the most of the part of quantitative research. Key concepts were categorized into nursing, environment, health, and humans, which are the paradigms of nursing, while papers in all other categories were categorized as etc. Most themes of research were based on social psychological aspects of the health domain and the human domain. Among the eight mediative research studies, seven focused on postnatal married immigrant women and the remaining one focused on postnatal married immigrant women and infants. In the categorized research planning quantitative research took larger part than qualitative research and in quantitative research descriptive study took larger part than experimental research. In the case of experimental research, studies usually focused on married immigrant women who had experienced pregnancy and childbirth. Overall, the results indicated that development and provision of new nursing mediation programs are needed, not only for married immigrant women, but also for their families.