Dorota Cwiek

Publications of Dorota Cwiek

• [Role of the nurse and midwife in educating parents of neonates treated at intensive care units].

  Authors: Dorota Fryc, Jacek Rudnicki, Dorota Cwiek

  Annales Academiae Medicae Stetinensis. 01/2010; 56(2):133-6.

  Health education is an important element in the therapeutic process of every patient. If the patient is a neonate at an intensive care unit (ICU), the parents or legal guardians become the object ofHealth education is an important element in the therapeutic process of every patient. If the patient is a neonate at an intensive care unit (ICU), the parents or legal guardians become the object of education. Knowledge and skills learned by parents at neonatal ICUs are later reflected in the quality of their childcare. The nursing and midwifery staff at ICUs plays an important role in the process of parental education. The aim of this study was to define educational needs of parents of neonates in intensive care and the impact of education on future parental childcare skills. We used the diagnostic poll method and the research tool was a questionnaire, which was addressed to parents of neonates treated at the neonatal intensive care unit of the Second University Hospital and the SPSZOZ Zdroje Hospital in Szczecin. The study was carried out in December-January of 2004/2005 and the group comprised 53 persons. The results were subjected to mathematical analysis. The following conclusions were drawn: (1) As all the parents wished to stay with their children at the neonatal ICU, special facilities for this purpose should be created at hospitals possessing such units. (2) Parents of neonates weighing more than 1000 g reported that their need to help their children was satisfied through participation in diagnostic, therapeutic, and nursing activities, which also gave them a sense of proximity with their offspring. extremely low birthweight to participate in the therapeutic process. (3) Parents expected to be taught by nurses and midwives and were interested in the activities of support groups. (4) Participation by parents in nursing activities is of importance for their unassisted childcare exercised later at home.

• Reasons for giving up breastfeeding and support during problems with lactation in the north-western part of Poland.

  Authors: Dorota Cwiek, Dorota Branecka-Woźniak, Dorota Fryc, Elzbieta Grochans, Witold Malinowski

  Annales Academiae Medicae Stetinensis. 01/2010; 56(2):129-32.

  Breastfeeding is the optimal way of feeding for neonates and infants. Its duration is of vital importance for the child's development and health. The World Health Organization recommends exclusiveBreastfeeding is the optimal way of feeding for neonates and infants. Its duration is of vital importance for the child's development and health. The World Health Organization recommends exclusive breastfeeding until the end of the sixth month of life. Many mothers give up breastfeeding earlier than recommended. Professional and non-professional support plays a great role in motivation to start and continue breastfeeding. The aim of this study was to determine how long infants from Szczecin, the capital city of the North-Western region of Poland, are breastfed, what are the reasons for giving up breastfeeding, and whether mothers obtain support in case of problems with lactation. One hundred randomly chosen mothers with children aged 12-18 months, living in Szczecin, were examined. A questionnaire was administered to the mothers during a direct interview. Prior to the interview, consent of the mothers to participate in the study was obtained. More than 8% of the mothers gave up breastfeeding during the first month after delivery, 68% were breastfeeding till the end of the third month, 31.5% were breastfeeding till the end of the sixth month, and only 2% continued to breastfeed for one year or longer. The most frequent reasons for giving up breastfeeding were: return to work (43.4%), small volume of milk (29.3%) and child's reluctance to suck (18.5%). 62% of breastfeeding women benefited from support during lactation problems but only 6% visited an outpatient breastfeeding service or joined a breastfeeding mothers support group. Support was obtained from the family midwife (37%), pediatrician (32%), and midwife at an outpatient clinic (25.8%). Most women (74.2%) were satisfied with the support. (1) It is necessary to promote breastfeeding so that all women could decide to start breastfeeding after childbirth. 2. As the percentage of women who continue breastfeeding after the sixth month of the infant's life is unsatisfactory, mothers should be encouraged to breastfeed longer. (3) A system of professional lactation support for breastfeeding mothers should be developed.

• [Women's opinions regarding gynaecological examination in a hospital]

  Authors: Katarzyna Szymoniak, Dorota Cwiek, Elwira Berezowska, Dorota Branecka-Woźniak, Iwona Dzióbek, Witold Malinowski

  Ginekologia polska. 08/2009; 80(7):498-502.

  A visit to the gynaecologist is connected with considerable embarrassment and stress for most women. AIM OF THE RESEARCH: To ascertain patients' opinions about gynaecological examination, frequencyA visit to the gynaecologist is connected with considerable embarrassment and stress for most women. AIM OF THE RESEARCH: To ascertain patients' opinions about gynaecological examination, frequency of visits, and doctors' attitudes towards patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A hundred women from Western-Pomeranian region underwent an anonymous examination. The women were divided into three age groups: 20-40, 41-60 and 61+. The study was carried out in two hospital clinics of the Pomeranian Medical University: the Clinic of Procreation and Gynaecology and the Clinic of Obstetric and Gynaecology, between 2006-2007. RESULTS: 70% of the respondents find the gynaecological examination embarrassing and stressful. According to patients, the most unpleasant moment during their visit to the gynaecologist is time spent in the gynaecological chair (47%) and preparation for the examination (30%), whereas the least embarrassing moment is the gynaecological examination itself (21%). However, the most embarrassing moment of the examination is vaginal examination (40%), rectal examination (33%), colposcopy (27%), and breast examination (2%). All the women stated that gynaecological examination is necessary; with 40% of them having examinations once every twelve months, 32% once every six months, 9% once every twenty-four months and 19% even more seldom. Sense of safety and psychical comfort during the examination is ensured by the presence of a qualified midwife (46%), presence of another doctor (9%), privacy (only the doctor and the patient are present) (36%). 53% of the respondents stated that the doctor ensures intimacy during the examination and 47% gave negative answer. Analysis of the doctor's gender indicated that 56% women prefer to be examined by a woman, 37% by a man, and 7% find the gender to be of no importance. The respondents would prefer if the doctor were nice, good-tempered and communicative. CONCLUSIONS: (1) Gynaecological examination is embarrassing and stressful for women and that is why patients expect the gynaecologist to ensure intimacy and sense of safety during the examination, as well as a pleasant individual approach to a patient, and presence of a midwife. (2) The most embarrassing moment is climbing to the gynaecological chair and the most unpleasant moment is the vaginal examination. (3) The fact that women go to the gynaecologist so rarely is particularly worrisome.

• [Self-care and demand for social support in women with infertility].

  Authors: Dorota Cwiek, Dorota Branecka-Woźniak, Dorota Fryc, Elzbieta Grochans, Magdalena Rygielska

  Annales Academiae Medicae Stetinensis. 01/2009; 55(2):35-8.

  The prevalence of infertility among married couples is growing. It is estimated that every fifth married couple in Poland is infertile. Infertility is often a source of significant stress for theThe prevalence of infertility among married couples is growing. It is estimated that every fifth married couple in Poland is infertile. Infertility is often a source of significant stress for the spouses. It is therefore important to provide professional support, demonstrate interest, listen to the problem, and be present in difficult moments. Social support considerably reduces the feeling of abandonment, fosters self-care, accelerates recovery, strengthens coping, and helps modify views and habits or attitudes towards treatment. The aim of this study was to assess self-care in women with infertility and to identify the most common sources of social support. The study group consisted of 100 women diagnosed or treated for infertility at the Department of Reproduction and Gynecology, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin. The diagnostic poll was done with the aid of a standardised research tool--the Social Support Scale Questionnaire by Danuta Zarzycka. The study protocol was approved by the Bioethics Committee of the Pomeranian Medical University. The study was performed between July 2005 and March 2007. (1) Self-care in women with infertility is adequate. (2) Women with infertility usually expect professional support from a physician; the role of the nurse is undervalued. Thus, the role of the nurse and midwife needs further promotion.

• [The impact of education in birthing schools on the course of pregnancy, labor, puerperium, and neonatal care]

  Authors: Dorota Cwiek

  Annales Academiae Medicae Stetinensis. 02/2006; 52(1):79-90.

  INTRODUCTION: Pregnancy represents a special period in the life of a woman. It is the time of many joyous, sublime, and touching moments experienced by the family although not free from anxiety,INTRODUCTION: Pregnancy represents a special period in the life of a woman. It is the time of many joyous, sublime, and touching moments experienced by the family although not free from anxiety, uncertainty and doubt in the minds of the future parents. It is also the time of an intense quest for answers to annoying questions and a motivating factor to search for information on the physiology of pregnancy, as well as on labor, puerperium and child care. A birthing school is nowadays the most important institution which prepares for parenting in a most professional way. This form of education is gaining widespread acceptance. This study was designed to: 1. Study the effects of participation in birthing school classes on the course of pregnancy, labor, and puerperium. 2. Search for relationships between the birthing school program and motivation of mothers to breast feeding. 3. Determine the influence of education in a birthing school on the ability of mothers to cope with problems during puerperium. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was done in 294 women hospitalized at the Obstetrics Ward of the Chair and Department of Obstetrics and Perinatology, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, between June 2001 and December 2002. Two groups were formed: group I--"study group"--comprised 129 gravida who participated in birthing school classes during at least one pregnancy but not earlier than two years before the present study; group II--"control group"--included 165 gravida who never participated in any organized form of birthing education. A questionnaire was developed consisting of 105 questions. Answers were recorded by the researcher and the results in both groups were compared statistically. CONCLUSIONS: Participation in birthing school classes helps develop healthy attitudes during pregnancy, reduced the feeling of pain and blood loss during labor, but does not alter the duration of labor in primipara nor has any effect on problems related to puerperium. Graduates of birthing schools are better motivated to start breast feeding, less often switch to artificial feeding during puerperium, and cope better with problems encountered during puerperium.

• [Analysis of some pro-health behaviors of pregnant women after a childbirth education class]

  Authors: Dorota Cwiek, Elzbieta Grochans, Ilona Sowińska-Gługiewicz, Przemysław Wysiecki

  Wiadomości lekarskie (Warsaw, Poland : 1960). 02/2004; 57 Suppl 1:48-51.

  Nowadays the school of childbirth is one of the most important forms of antenatal education. The aim of the study was to compare some pro-health behaviours of women after courses at school ofNowadays the school of childbirth is one of the most important forms of antenatal education. The aim of the study was to compare some pro-health behaviours of women after courses at school of childbirth with pro-health behaviours of women without such education. A group of 129 women after courses at schools of childbirth who were hospitalized in the Chair and Department of Obstetrics and Perinatology of Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin were introduced into the study. The control group contained 165 women who did not take part in any antenatal education. The questionnaire was a research tool; it was completed 2-5 days after childbirth and also patients' documentation was analyzed. The test results were statistically analyzed. Investigations showed that woman attending classes at school of childbirth were highly aware of pro-health behaviours during pregnancy; they often changed their lifestyle during pregnancy, they smoked less frequently, they had more appointments with their obstetricians and they earlier had their first medical visit. It seems necessary to intensify the classes of nourishing during pregnancy at schools of the childbirth, because no statistically significant differences in the increase of body mass were showed. Moreover, it is necessary to educate every pregnant woman of the hygiene, nourishing and stimulant abuse during pregnancy not only at schools of the childbirth, but also during obstetric consultation.

• [Sources of women's knowledge relating pregnancy and childbirth]

  Authors: Dorota Cwiek, Violetta Luczyńska, Anna Jurczak, Katarzyna Augustyniuk

  Wiadomości lekarskie (Warsaw, Poland : 1960). 02/2004; 57 Suppl 1:52-8.

  Future parents have the huge range of possibility to afford theoretical knowledge from different sources: books, periodicals, advice of close, doctor's advice or the midwife in outpatient clinic andFuture parents have the huge range of possibility to afford theoretical knowledge from different sources: books, periodicals, advice of close, doctor's advice or the midwife in outpatient clinic and more. One of the most professional sources of knowledge preparing to parenthood is the delivery school. The aim of investigations is the analysis of sources of women's knowledge preparing to maternity at schools of childbirth and without such form of education. Investigations were conducted on Maternity Ward at the Chair and Department of Obstetrics and Perinatology of Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin. Investigations were having taken over 129 women after delivery school. Control group was 165 women, who did not take any antenatal education. Investigations appeared that women participating in activities of the delivery school more often read professional magazines and books, watching films preparing to birth control. This is probably the result of significantly frequent higher education in this group as well as the projection of educational films in delivery school. Moreover woman without preparation in delivery school more often had to need the help of hospital staff during delivery.

• [Sources of women's education about the puerperium and breast feeding]

  Authors: Dorota Cwiek, Violetta Luczyńska, Katarzyna Augustyniuk, Anna Jurczak

  Wiadomości lekarskie (Warsaw, Poland : 1960). 02/2004; 57 Suppl 1:59-65.

  Future parents have a wide range of possibilities in gaining theoretical knowledge from books, magazines, relatives' advice, doctor or midwife' consultations in outpatient clinics. The mostFuture parents have a wide range of possibilities in gaining theoretical knowledge from books, magazines, relatives' advice, doctor or midwife' consultations in outpatient clinics. The most professional ways of getting skills in that matter are birth schools. The aim of this study was to analyze the sources of knowledge about puerperium and breast feeding at birth schools in comparison to mothers who did not attend such training. The study was undertaken in the Department of Obstetric and Perinatology in Szczecin. Group I (investigated) consisted of 129 women who finished birth school training course and group II (control) consisted of 165 women with no formalized prenatal education. A questionnaire and medical histories were used in our analysis. The results showed that the birth school attendants were more likely to use a lot of education sources in the field of breast feeding and that some law aspects in puerperium and puerperium pathology need more attention because books and magazines are the main source of knowledge in that matter instead of birth schools classes.