WOMENS EXPERIENCES OF BIRTH IN ST. PETERSBURG, RUSSIAN-FEDERATION, FOLLOWING A MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH INTERVENTION PROGRAM

Background: An educational program for professionals in maternal and c hild health care in St. Petersburg, Russian Federation was conducted b etween 1994 and 1997. Methods: The program was designed to provide 12 workshops in evidence-based antenatal and intrapartum care, and approp riate preparation of parents for pregnancy, birth, and parenthood for health care professionals in the city. Results: Observations on the qu ality of maternity care service provided for women at the start and af ter the completion of the intervention program are reported. Significa nt changes occurred in maternity care practices during the period in w hich training programs were offered in St. Petersburg. In particular m ore family centered care services were introduced, and breastfeeding p ractices improved. Significant reductions in maternal and perinatal mo rtality occurred. Conclusions: Most maternity hospitals showed a reduc tion in the use of interventions in delivery over the period of study, although one or two showed tendencies to follow in their Western coun terparts' footsteps, including the emergence of a high cesarean delive ry rate. This is not yet a cause for concern, but is worth future moni toring by local authorities.