Publication Date April 1, 2024 Research & Evidence

Labor Induction and Augmentation Practices in India: How the Use of Uterotonic Medications Affects Stillbirth, Neonatal Mortality, and Use of Cesarean Deliveries Research Consolidation Bundle

Overmedicalization of childbirth is a growing global problem, increasing the use of medical interventions and costs without a clear health benefit and often putting both mother and baby at risk. Stillbirth, early birth asphyxia, and neonatal death remain major concerns in India and the association between these health outcomes and the use of uterotonics to induce and augment labor is an important topic to explore. The story deck serves as an advocacy tool to build momentum for additional targeted research; the overview report outlines how the story deck can be used and shares next steps to engage in this work.

Publication Date December 1, 2023 Program & Technical Resources

MOMENTUM Safe Surgery in Family Planning and Obstetrics in India: Gender-Integrated Response to Emerging COVID-19 Priorities in India – Health Facility and One Stop Center Posters

These two posters were designed to serve as resources for women and girls facing violence. The health facility poster defines certain types of violence and provides contact information including a helpline, referral to One Stop Centers (OSCs), community or facility-based health workers. The OSC poster describes the services provided by OSCs to survivors. 

Publication Date December 1, 2023 Program & Technical Resources

MOMENTUM Safe Surgery India Gender Integrated Response to Emerging COVID-19 Priorities Technical Briefs and Informational Leaflet

This series of three technical briefs reflects MOMENTUM Safe Surgery in Family Planning and Obstetrics' work on: 1) Gender-based Violence Prevention and Response; 2) Development of a digital mental health app to connect Community Health Workers (CHWs) with mental health services and support to address stress and burnout during the COVID-19 pandemic; 3) Emergency Respiratory Management; and 4) Strengthening Gender-based Violence Referral and Response through Community Radio. A two-page leaflet also provides an overview of the project's response.

Publication Date December 1, 2023 Program & Technical Resources

Learning from MOMENTUM: Community Engagement and Systems Strengthening Approaches to Addressing Gender-Based Violence

Published in recognition of the 2023 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) campaign, this brief highlights six innovative approaches—related to community engagement and system strengthening—for addressing GBV. The case studies from three MOMENTUM projects offer practical insights for gender experts, practitioners, and advocates, particularly those working in GBV pre­vention and response, to apply and adapt in their own work.

Publication Date December 1, 2023 Research & Evidence

Learning From Health Systems Strengthening Responses to COVID-19

The global COVID-19 pandemic challenged health systems worldwide, examining their resilience in maintaining essential services while preventing and responding to COVID-19. MOMENTUM Knowledge Accelerator conducted a learning synthesis to understand the extent to which three MOMENTUM projects in India and Sierra Leone used health systems strengthening (HSS) approaches in their COVID-19 response activities. Furthermore, the work sought to distill factors that facilitated, or inhibited, the implementation and outcomes of HSS-oriented COVID-19 response activities. Lessons and recommendations can inform future approaches to integrating HSS in outbreak and pandemic responses.

Publication Date November 1, 2023 Program & Technical Resources

Counseling, Informed Consent, and Debriefing (CCD) for Cesarean Section: Hard to Define, Achieve, and Monitor – Key Findings from a Mixed Methods Study in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), India, and Nigeria

Counseling, informed consent, and debriefing (CCD) before and after cesarean section comprise important aspects of respectful maternity care. However, prior research indicates significant gaps may exist in these elements of care in many low- and middle-income countries. To better understand attitudes, preferences, and practices related to CCD in the context of both emergency and non-emergency surgical obstetric care, MOMENTUM Safe Surgery in Family Planning and Obstetrics conducted a mixed methods study (including interviews, focus group discussions, observations, and record reviews) in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), India, and Nigeria. This fact sheet outlines key findings. 

Publication Date November 1, 2023 Research & Evidence

Safe Cesarean Delivery Checklist Landscape Analysis

The Safe Cesarean Delivery Checklist Landscape Analysis presents findings from a landscape analysis to identify current global and regional tools being used to improve communication and decision-making during cesarean deliveries. The landscape analysis also includes a care pathway delineating critical moments in service delivery for cesarean deliveries and identifies gaps in how existing tools address the type and quality of care patients receive along this pathway. This work will inform the future development of a new Safe Cesarean Delivery Checklist in India. 

Publication Date November 1, 2023 About MOMENTUM

MOMENTUM Projects in South Asia: Regional Reference Brief

The South Asia Regional Reference Brief summarizes MOMENTUM’s projects and activities in Bangladesh, India, Nepal, and Pakistan to improve equitable access to respectful quality maternal, newborn, and child health and nutrition, voluntary family planning, and reproductive health care for all individuals and communities. The brief will be updated periodically as project activities evolve throughout the life of the project.

Publication Date October 1, 2023 Research & Evidence

MOMENTUM Safe Surgery India: Rapid Assessment Findings Fact Sheet

India conducted a total of 13 million surgeries in 2019 to 2020 related to obstetrics and family planning (FP) including 4.1 million cesarean deliveries (CDs), 3.4 million sterilizations, and 5.5 million long-acting reversible contraceptive (LARC) insertions. To understand the full landscape, a Rapid Assessment was conducted during the startup phase of the MOMENTUM Safe Surgery in Family Planning and Obstetrics in India, with the objective of assessing the current prevalence and identifying the barriers for safe surgery in FP and obstetrics. It included a literature search, secondary data analysis, and key informant interviews focusing on the three broad themes of the project – CDs, surgery for FP, and use of LARCs among adolescents and youth. Assessment findings were used to define key strategies and targeted interventions aligned with government priorities.

Publication Date October 1, 2023 Program & Technical Resources

Cesarean Delivery Informational Video

This video profiles a couple in India, Seema and her partner Vijay, as they visit with their provider at a hospital in the days prior to Seema’s delivery. Seema receives a checkup, and the provider assures Seema that she will likely deliver without incident. However, the doctor lets the couple know that cesarean section is an option in the event it is needed to protect the life of the mother and baby – often when there are multiples, the baby is in breech position, or when there an emergency, such as prolonged labor. The provider advises the couple how to identify and prepare for emergency obstetrics situations. The couple is grateful for the advice and support of the doctor, and the health worker in their community. In Hindi and Kannada (with English subtitles).