Emma and Embla are active researchers at the University of Iceland and have published several peer reviewed papers. We have collected some of the most recent ones on this page where you can read a short abstract or click on the link to read the full articles.
The aim of this study was to describe pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic pain management in labor and birth over a ten year period (2007-2018) in Iceland, and especially to investigate whether there was a difference in pain management strategies among Icelandic and migrant women. The results show that migrant women were less likely to use pain management strategies overall compared to Icelandic women, and specifically were less likely to use nonpharmacological pain management strategies such as acupuncture, TENS, aromatherapy, shower/tub compared to Icelandic women. However, this did not result in higher use of pharmacological pain management strategies such as epidural analgesia and nitrous oxide inhalation among migrant women.
This study showed a reduction in elective cesarean section during the COVID-19 lockdown in Iceland in 2020.
There was also an overall reduction in preterm birth during the first lockdown as well as a reduction in spontaneous preterm birth following the first lockdown. Further research is needed to shed light on the underlying mechanisms for these findings.
This study estimated changes in the rates of adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes in Iceland between 1997 and 2018 to assess whether the changes can be explained by an increased rate of labor induction.
The study found that rates of adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes decreased over the study period. However, there was no evidence that this decrease could be explained by the increased rate of labor induction.
Women’s citizenship and country of citizenship Human Development Index scores are significantly associated with a range of maternal and perinatal complications and interventions, such as episiotomy and instrumental birth. The results indicate the need for further exploration of whether Icelandic perinatal healthcare services meet the care needs of migrant women.
This study is the first to report findings on a combination of one-to-one and group antenatal care. The intervention study was carried out in Reykjavik, Iceland and suggests that this novel model may be beneficial in terms of providing education and support, as well as lowering childbirth fear.
The iPOP Study will involve at least 121 researchers in 37 countries, including obstetricians, neonatologists, epidemiologists, public health researchers, environmental scientists, and policymakers.
This group will leverage the most disruptive and widespread “natural experiment” of our lifetime to make rapid discoveries about preterm birth. Whether the COVID-19 pandemic is worsening or unexpectedly improving perinatal outcomes, this research will provide critical new information to shape prenatal care strategies throughout (and well beyond) the pandemic.
This study explored ways in which Dutch and Icelandic midwifery students identify role models in contemporary midwifery education.
Role models contribute to the development of students’ skills, attitudes, behaviors, identity as a midwife and trust in physiological childbirth. More explicit and critical attention to how and what students learn from role models can enrich educational programmes.
This a study about Enhanced Antenatal Care - a model which combines one-to-one and group antenatal care. In this study, interviews with participants suggested that this model of antenatal care was well received by expecting parents and beneficial in terms of providing education and support.
This study reports on the characteristics and validity of a new measure for childbirth fear prior to pregnancy. The study suggests that the measure is valid and reliable.
This is a study of obstetric interventions in Iceland over a 20 year period.
The use of labor induction and epidural analgesia increased considerably over time, while the cesarean delivery rate remained low and stable. Increases in labor induction and epidural analgesia were most pronounced for women without a diagnosis of diabetes or hypertensive disorder and were not explained by maternal characteristics such as advanced age.
This study reports on interventions that may be suitable to lower childbirth fear and anxiety.
The results suggest that prenatal education, midwifery support and yoga were effective in lowering childbirth fear and anxiety among pregnant women.
This study assessed birth intentions among women who have not yet been pregnant or had a baby. Women with low fear of birth and high confidence in their birth knowledge were more likely to have natural birth intentions.
The study suggests that addressing concerns about pain, safety, the perceived unpredictability of birth and worries about the physical impact of childbirth may strengthen natural birth intentions.
This is a study about how antenatal care plays an important role in preparing women for birth. But the study also shows that there is room for improvement.