Sistema Regional de Información
en línea para Revistas Científicas de América Latina,
el Caribe, España y Portugal

This essay proposes a reading of the book Contos exemplars by Sophia de Mello Breyner Andresen, published in 1962 under the light of the Cultural Humanistic Geography of phenomenological background given the singular relationship between topophilic and topophobic space, besides the anthological presence of the sea as a living Sophia’s lyrical metaphor. The critical reflection will fall under three of the seven short stories that make up the book: “A viagem”, “Praia” e “Homero”, as they set up the aesthetical paradigm that characterizes the similar production of this Portuguese writer.

The tentacular capacity and omnivorous character of tourism have promoted its expansion to almost any area, theme or territory, including literature, as the emergence of literary tourism (in its various forms) shows. The intersections between literature and culture with tourism demand new analytical approaches and renewed critical readings. The aim of this paper is to re-evaluate the reasons and ways to study these connections. To this end, some significant features of current tourist practice are set out, as well as the ongoing academic debates about the nature of this phenomenon or about its interrelationship with culture and with identities (in a local, regional or national level). Secondly, I intend to explore the reasons for analyzing tourism in literature and culture studies and to offer some lines of research that may be relevant in this orientation, such as its proximity to the idea of canon, the role of literary and cultural products in the construction of tourist imaginaries or its (dis)connection with travel literature.

From an epistemological and methodological point of view, this article analyzes the contributions of the theories of interactions between space and creation, focusing in particular on geopoetics, geocritics and cultural geography. On the basis of this state of the art of a theoretical ecosystem that maps out the critical territories of space in relation to various scientific perimeters, the challenge is to grasp the conceptual approaches of space, territory used by literary studies and geography. Then, from a perspective that crosses « literary geography » and information and communication sciences, the study proposes to rediscover the territory by showing the interest of a specific cultural device: the residence of authors. Thanks to a field study, this analysis combines a study of literary forms that shape the image of places and a reflection on the links between literary creation and societal space. Between topophilia, topography of places ("landscape poems", "poem from the border") and interactions (collective creation), the scientific objective is to show how geopoetics strongly renews the territorial approach for cultural institutions thanks to a different spatial configuration that articulates contemporary literature and mediations.

Notre travail cherche à approfondir le concept d’incertitude spatiale, partant d’une étude de cas, le roman Desde el cielo de Manuel Murguía. Premièrement, nous nous attarderons sur les difficultés qui entourent la notion d’incertitude, de même que les défis de sa représentation cartographique. Deuxièmement, nous aborderons le traitement spatial de l’œuvre de Murguía, caractérisé par une peinture diffuse et imprécise des lieux. Finalement, nous proposerons une typologie qui cherche à éclaircir les limites de l’incertitude spatiale.

IntroductionSterile water injections in the Rhombus of Michaelis are used as a simple technique to alleviate back pain during childbirth. However, the technique itself is painful and requires two professionals to carry it out. ObjectiveTo assess the level of pain associated with the technique of sterile water injection after the injection of lidocaine, compared to the technique of sterile water injection without lidocaine. The aim was also to assess whether both techniques (with and without lidocaine) reduce back pain during childbirth. Material and Methods A semi-experimental study was carried out. The level of pain was assessed using the VAS scale before the technique, during the technique, and 30 minutes after the technique in two groups of expectant mothers (with and without lidocaine). The expectant mothers were divided randomly into two groups. The SPSS programme was used for the data analysis. Results The results showed that the technique with lidocaine could be undertaken by one professional and was significantly less painful than the technique without the anesthetic. In both cases, the level of pain stated prior to the sterile water injection was reduced 30 minutes after the injection. The reduction in pain was clinically relevant. Conclusions Sterile water injection in the Rhombus of Michaelis is an effective technique for reducing back pain during childbirth. The injection of lidocaine prior to the technique enables its use without the main disadvantage: pain on injection of sterile water.

IntroductionAlthough the incidence of non-cephalic presentation in the last trimester of pregnancy is not high, around 4% of expectant mothers have this presentation at the time of childbirth, which tends to lead to a cesarean birth. Many women today prefer a birth that is as safe as possible, but with little medical intervention. One of the objectives of the World Health Organisation is to keep the number of cesareans below 21% of all births. Currently, there are two techniques for trying to turn the fetus to a cephalic presentation: the external cephalic version and moxibustion. ObjectiveTo assess the base of research evidence for correcting breech presentation with the use of moxibustion. Material and MethodsPapers were identified by sequential searching of the following databases: Medline, Cochrane, Web of Science and Scopus. Papers that assess the efficacy of moxibustion in pregnant women with breech presentation were analysed.ResultsFourteen papers were selected for analysis. Moxibustion at V67 in pregnant women with breech presentation seems to be effective at turning the fetus to cephalic presentation.ConclusionsMoxibustion is a simple technique that is well accepted by pregnant women and economical. It should always be undertaken by expert acupuncture professionals. Future research is required to support this technique.

IntroductionThe World Health Organisation recommends exclusive breastfeeding of infants during the first six months of life, followed by the introduction of proper and secure food from then onwards and the maintenance of maternal breastfeeding until the age of two or even later. Breastfeeding problems, such as mastitis, blocked ducts, and/or cracked nipples, can lead to early abandonment of breastfeeding. ObjectivesTo identify the energy state of participating women, select a suitable acupuncture treatment and assess its effectiveness.Material and MethodsThe sample was comprised of five women. Data were gathered between October and December 2014. A physical and emotional medical history was taken, together with an examination of the breasts, pulse and tongue, an assessment of breastfeeding, and an individual energy assessment. Acupuncture points were then selected. ResultsCommon symptoms were pain on breastfeeding, tiredness, frequent waking, irritability and nervousness, along with problems in family relations and little support for breastfeeding. The energy assessment was similar in cases of mastitis/blocked ducts, and cracked nipples. The elements that were most altered were: Earth, Water, Wood and Fire, with stagnation of dampness and heat. A treatment designed to balance the affected elements contributed to reducing the symptoms and resolving the problems.ConclusionsAcupuncture could be an effective tool for resolving the symptoms of mastitis, blocked ducts and/or cracked nipples. The symptoms diminished rapidly after the sessions, and the women felt more relaxed and confident in nursing their children. Research in this area should be increased to studies with larger samples and clinical trials. 

IntroductionThe induction of lactation enables women who have not given birth to breastfeed their child in cases of adoption, surrogacy or lesbian couples. There are pharmacological and non-pharmacological methods for inducing lactation. ObjectiveTo identify non-pharmacological methods for inducing lactation. Material and MethodsA literature search of the Pubmed, Cinahl and Web of Science databases was carried out in October 2015. A total of fifteen papers were found on inducing lactation. Results There are a few cases of inducing lactation in which only non-pharmacological methods are used, but stimulation is essential in all cases. There is no standard guide on methods for this process. Each case of induction is carried out in a different way, and it is difficult to make comparisons. Conclusions More studies are required on non-pharmacological methods for inducing breastfeeding. This will help to standardise the care provided to mothers who decide to go through this process, considering each case individually.

Women have always cared for their children’s and relatives’ health with elements that nature has provided: plants (herbal medicine and aromatherapy), the sun (heliotherapy), water (hydrotherapy), and even with their own hands as the only resource.Nursing has taken advantage of these natural therapies as complementary tools in nursing care.The classification used by the Official College of Nurses of Barcelona (COIB) for these therapies is divided into five categories or domains: alternative medical systems, mind-body interventions, biology-based therapies, methods of manipulating the body, and energy-based therapies.In Spain today, there is controversy over the acceptance and regulation of natural therapies. To contribute to the advance of our regulations and to develop deeper knowledge of complementary and integrative therapies, we have dedicated this issue of Musas: Revista de Investigación en Mujer, Salud y Sociedad (Muses: Journal of Research into Women, Health and Society) to therapies that are applied to women in stages of the reproductive process, including labour, postpartum, puerperium and breastfeeding, and specifically in the case of endometriosis.

IntroductionThe early abandonment of breastfeeding is closely related to tiredness and postpartum depression. The side effects of drugs have led to a high demand among users for natural therapies as an alternative. ObjectivesTo determine the effects of aromatherapy in postpartum mothers, in relation to mood and the impact on breastfeeding. Material and MethodsA literature review was carried out with searches of the Medline, Pubmed, Cochrane, LILACS, Google Scholar and Web of Science databases between 2006 and 2017.ResultsA total of six clinical trials were found, two of which were non-randomised. In all trials, lavender essential oil was used in women in the postpartum period, and mood was assessed before and after the application of the treatment. ConclusionsNo studies were found that related aromatherapy with breastfeeding, but all concluded that essential oil could be a preventative treatment for postpartum depression.