EVIDENCE-BASED MATERNAL CARE IN OBSTETRICNURSING: IMPROVING PREGNANCY OUTCOMES WITH SAFECHILD-MOTHERHOOD AND REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH

Abstract

Evidence-based maternal care in obstetric nursing is an essential approach that integrates the best available scientific evidence with clinical expertise and patient-centered values to enhance maternal and neonatal outcomes. It plays a significant role in promoting safe motherhood and reproductive health by ensuring that care provided during antenatal, intrapartum, and postnatal periods is grounded in current research and standardized clinical practices. Maternal morbidity and mortality continue to be major global health challenges, particularly in low-resource settings, where access to quality healthcare services is limited. The implementation of evidence-based interventions such as antenatal screening, skilled birth attendance, timely obstetric care, and postpartum follow-up has been shown to significantly reduce complications and improve survival rates. Obstetric nurses serve as key healthcare professionals in applying evidence to practice, ensuring safe, respectful, and culturally sensitive care for women throughout pregnancy and childbirth. Their role includes assessment, education, monitoring, and coordination of care. This article highlights the importance of conceptual frameworks, effective nursing roles, clinical interventions, and interdisciplinary collaboration in improving maternal health outcomes. It also addresses challenges in implementation and explores future directions, emphasizing that strengthening evidence-based practices is critical for achieving better pregnancy outcomes and overall maternal well-being.