Guidelines (Instructions for Authors)

Download here theItalian Version of the Guidelines.

1. About Submissions

Article Processing Charges (APCs)

Lucina does not charge any fees for manuscript submission or publication. All articles accepted for publication are published free of charge. There are no submission fees, editorial processing charges, page charges, or colour figure fees. Editorial decisions are based exclusively on scientific quality, methodological rigor, and relevance to the journal’s scope, and are entirely independent of any financial considerations.

Language

Manuscripts should be written in clear, professional English. Authors whose first language is not English are strongly encouraged to have their manuscript reviewed by a fluent English speaker or professional language editing service prior to submission.

To comply with the requirements of the National Federation of the Orders of the Midwifery Profession (FNOPO), Lucina also accepts and publishes manuscripts in Italian, provided that an English version is also submitted.

How to Submit

All manuscripts must be submitted by email to editorialoffice.lucina@homnya.com. The journal will soon adopt an online submission system for manuscript submission and editorial communication.

2. Article Types

Lucina publishes high-quality scholarly contributions that advance knowledge, clinical practice, education, and policy in obstetrics, midwifery, maternal and perinatal health.

All submissions are subject to the journal’s double-blind peer review process (see Policies). Authors are responsible for selecting the most appropriate article category and ensuring compliance with the journal’s formatting and reporting standards.

Unless otherwise specified, word counts refer to the main text only (excluding title page, abstract, references, tables, figures, and supplementary material).

– Brief Communications / Short Reports

Concise reports of preliminary findings, pilot studies, innovative care models, or focused research observations. Submissions must maintain methodological clarity and scientific rigor.

Recommended length: Text: 1,000–1,500 words | Abstract: up to 200 words | References: up to 20 | Tables/Figures: up to 4

– Case Reports and Case Series

Case Reports and Case Series describe clinically significant, unusual, or educational cases that provide meaningful insights for obstetric practice. Manuscripts must clearly state clinical relevance and include confirmation of written informed consent from the patient(s).

Recommended length: Text: 1,500–2,000 words | Structured Abstract: 200–250 words | References: up to 20 | Tables/Figures: up to 5

– Clinical Protocols

Clinical Protocols describe the rationale and methodology of proposed or ongoing studies that have not completed participant recruitment at the time of submission. Protocols must include study objectives, design, eligibility criteria, sample size considerations (where applicable), planned statistical analyses, ethical approval details, and dissemination plans.

Recommended length: Text: 3,000–4,000 words | Abstract: up to 250 words | References: up to 50 | Tables/Figures: up to 6

– Clinical Trials

Clinical Trials report interventional research involving human participants designed to evaluate health outcomes. In accordance with international standards and the recommendations of the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE), clinical trials should be registered in a publicly accessible registry. The registry name and registration number must be reported in the Cover Letter, Abstract, and Methods section. Authors also must adhere to CONSORT reporting guidelines.

Recommended length: Text: 4,000–5,000 words | Abstract: 250–300 words | References: up to 50 | Tables/Figures: up to 6

– Commentaries and Perspectives

Commentaries and Perspective Articles provide scholarly reflection, contextual analysis, or expert interpretation of issues relevant to obstetric practice, maternal health policy, or professional development. These articles do not present original data.

Recommended length: Text: 1,500–2,500 words | Abstract: optional (up to 200 words) | References: up to 20 | Tables/Figures: up to 3

– Conference Proceedings and Meeting Reports

Conference Proceedings may include curated collections of abstracts. Meeting Reports summarize scientific meetings, symposia, or professional events relevant to obstetrics and midwifery. Authors are advised to contact the Editorial Office prior to submission.

Recommended length (Meeting Reports): Text: 1,000–1,500 words | No abstract required | References: as appropriate

– Editorials

Editorials offer authoritative insight into emerging topics, significant publications, or issues of strategic relevance to the journal’s readership.

Recommended length: Text: up to 2,000 words | No abstract required | References: up to 25 | Tables/Figures: up to 2

– Letters to the Editor

Letters to the Editor provide scholarly commentary on articles previously published in Lucina. Where appropriate, the authors of the original article will be invited to submit a Reply for publication alongside the Letter.

Recommended length: Text: 350–500 words | No abstract required | References: up to 5 | Tables/Figures: 1 (if essential)

– Meta-Analyses and Systematic Reviews

Meta-Analyses apply statistical techniques to quantitatively combine results from multiple studies. Systematic Reviews critically identify, appraise, and synthesize available evidence addressing a focused research question. Manuscripts must adhere to PRISMA guidelines and provide a transparent search strategy, eligibility criteria, risk-of-bias assessment, and detailed methods of analysis.

Recommended length: Text: 4,000–5,000 words | Structured abstract: 250–300 words | References: up to 70 | Tables/Figures: up to 6 combined

– Observational Studies

Observational Studies (e.g., cohort, case-control, cross-sectional, registry-based research) investigate associations, outcomes, or population-level patterns relevant to maternal and perinatal health. Authors must adhere to STROBE reporting guidelines.

Recommended length: Text: 3,500–4,500 words | Structured abstract: 250–300 words | References: up to 50 | Tables/Figures: up to 6

– Original Articles

Original Articles present novel empirical research that makes a significant contribution to obstetric science, midwifery practice, maternal–fetal medicine, public health, health systems, or professional education. Submissions must include a clearly defined research question, appropriate study design, transparent methodology, robust data analysis, and a discussion that contextualizes findings within existing literature. Authors must follow the appropriate reporting guideline according to study design (e.g., CONSORT, STROBE).

Recommended length: Text: 4,000–5,000 words | Structured abstract: 250–300 words | References: up to 50 | Tables/Figures: up to 6 combined | Keywords: 3–6

– Reviews

Reviews provide structured and critical overviews of topics of current relevance in obstetric practice, research, education, or policy. These articles should offer balanced interpretation of the literature, identify gaps in knowledge, and discuss future directions.

Recommended length: Text: 3,000–4,000 words | Abstract: up to 250 words | References: up to 50 | Tables/Figures: up to 6

Reporting Standards and Transparency

Authors must adhere to internationally recognized reporting standards appropriate to their study design, including:

  • CONSORT (randomized controlled trials)
  • STROBE (observational studies)
  • STARD (diagnostic accuracy studies)
  • PRISMA (systematic reviews and meta-analyses)

Manuscripts that do not comply with applicable reporting standards may be returned to authors prior to peer review.

3. Manuscript Preparation

Authors are responsible for preparing manuscripts in accordance with the journal’s scope, ethical standards, and formatting requirements. Submissions that do not comply may be returned prior to peer review.

Unless otherwise specified, word counts refer to the main text only (excluding abstract, references, tables, figures, and supplementary material). For the specific requirements of each article type, please refer to the section Article Types.

General Formatting Requirements

  • Submit in an editable format (e.g., Word, no PDF).
  • Use a standard readable font (11–12 pt).
  • 1.5 line spacing.
  • Number pages consecutively.
  • Use SI units.
  • Define a list of abbreviations at first mention and use consistently.

4. Submission Files

To comply with double-blind peer review, submit the following as separate files:

4.1 Cover Letter

Include:

  • Importance and originality of the work.
  • Confirmation the manuscript is not published and not under consideration elsewhere.

4.2 Title Page

Must include:

  • Full title and running head (short title).
  • Full names of all authors.
  • Affiliations for each author (Department, Institution, City, Country).
  • Corresponding author’s full address and email.
  • ORCID iDs (if available).
  • Funding statement.
  • Conflict of interest declaration.
  • Author contribution statement (if required).
  • Confirmation of ethical approval and informed consent.
  • Clinical trial registration details (if applicable).

4.3 Manuscript Files

For specific requirements for each article type, please refer to the “Article Types” section. For most research articles, manuscripts should be structured according to the guidelines provided in the “Manuscript Structure” section. Tables, figures, and supplementary materials should be submitted as separate files and not included within the main text of the manuscript (see “Figures, Tables and Supplementary Material” section).

4.4 Author Declaration and Copyright Agreement

The corresponding author, on behalf of all co-authors, must sign the Author Declaration and Copyright Agreement and submit it together with the manuscript.

5. Manuscript Structure

Title

Clear, concise, and reflective of the study.

Abstract and Keywords

  • Structured (Background, Methods, Results, Conclusions) depending on the article (see “Article Types” section).
  • 250–300 words unless otherwise specified by article type.
  • No references or undefined abbreviations.
  • Include 3–6 keywords (preferably MeSH terms where appropriate).

Main Text

Introduction

In the introduction section, the authors should situate the study within a broader scholarly context and clearly explain its relevance in relation to existing literature. They should explicitly state the objectives of the work and clearly articulate the specific hypothesis being tested.

The introduction should clearly present:

  • Context and rationale.
  • Clear study objectives or research question.

Methods

The Methods section must provide a clear, transparent, and sufficiently detailed description of how and why the study was conducted in a particular manner. The rationale underlying the study design and methodological decisions should be clearly explained to allow readers to understand the scientific approach.

The Methods should clearly present:

A) Setting and participants.

B) Data collection procedures (see 1 for “Participant Selection and Description” and 2 for “Animal studies“)

  1. Participant Selection and Description

Authors must provide a detailed explanation of how participants were selected for observational or experimental research.

This should include:

  • Clear eligibility and exclusion criteria;
  • Description of the source population;
  • Recruitment methods;
  • Sample size determination (if applicable);
  • Characteristics of study groups and control groups.

The sex and/or gender of participants must be reported and appropriately considered in the analysis. Any sex- or gender-based analysis should be clearly described. If only one sex or gender is included, this must be scientifically justified.

Control groups must be described with the same level of detail as experimental groups.

2. Animal Studies

Research involving animals must comply with internationally recognized ethical standards and adhere to the ARRIVE guidelines for reporting experiments involving live animals.

Authors must report:

  • Animal species and strain;
  • Sex;
  • Source (vendor name and location);
  • Age range;
  • Weight;
  • Housing and care conditions (where relevant);
  • Any additional relevant biological or environmental variables.

Ethical approval for animal research must be clearly stated, including the name of the approving body and approval reference number.

C) Statistical analysis (if applicable).

All quantitative studies must include a dedicated subsection titled Statistical Analysis.

This section must clearly describe:

  • Statistical methods applied;
  • Assumptions underlying the statistical tests;
  • Handling of missing data;
  • Adjustments for multiple comparisons (if applicable);
  • Significance thresholds;
  • Measures of effect size and precision;
  • Statistical software used, including version number.

Unless explicitly justified, two-tailed significance tests should be used.

Measures of central tendency must be accompanied by measures of variability (e.g., standard deviation, interquartile range, confidence intervals), together with appropriate probability values (e.g., p-values).

Clinical trial reports must include a description of sample size calculation and statistical power.

The level of detail provided must enable a knowledgeable reader to verify the results using the original dataset.

D) Ethical approval (including committee name and approval number).

All studies involving human participants must include a statement confirming approval by an appropriate ethics committee or institutional review board. The name of the approving body and the approval number must be reported.

Authors must confirm that the research was conducted in accordance with the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki and applicable national regulations.

If ethical approval was not required, a clear justification must be provided.

Results

This section should present all findings obtained during the study. Both primary and secondary outcomes should be described in a logical sequence, ensuring that the data are accurately represented without interpretation or discussion.

The Results should present:

  • Clear presentation of findings.
  • Avoid duplication between text and tables/figures.

Discussion

In the Discussion section, authors should provide a comprehensive interpretation of the findings. The results should be critically analyzed, explained in depth, and contextualized within the broader scientific framework.

The Discussion should present:

  • Interpretation of findings.
  • Comparison with existing literature.
  • Strengths and limitations.
  • Clinical or research implications.

Conclusions

The authors should clearly summarize the main findings and overall outcomes of the study, emphasizing their scientific and practical significance. The conclusions must be directly supported by the results presented and aligned with the original objectives and research questions.

6. Declarations

Authors must include the following sections in the Title page or immediately after the Conclusions (before the section “References“), in this order:

  1. Acknowledgements – Brief acknowledgements of individuals who made genuine contributions but do not meet authorship criteria.
  2. Artificial Intelligence (AI) – Assisted Technology Statement – Disclose whether AI-assisted technologies were used.
  3. Authors’ Contributions – Clear description of each author’s contribution.
  4. Clinical Trial Registration (if applicable)
  5. Conflict of Interest – Or: “The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest to disclose.”
  6. Data Availability Statement (if applicable)
  7. Ethics Approval – Or waiver with justification
  8. Funding – Or: “No funding was declared for this study.”
  9. Informed Consent – Required for case reports where identifiable details/images may appear
  10. ORCID ID (recommended)
  11. Supplementary Material (if applicable)

7. Figures, Tables and Supplementary Material

Figures

Figures must be submitted as separate files and must not be embedded in the main manuscript. Each file must include the figure number in the file name (e.g., Figure 1.jpg). Figures must be cited consecutively in the text using Arabic numerals.

Formats: TIFF, EPS, JPG

Minimum resolution at final size:

  • Line art: 600 dpi
  • Halftone photos (B/W or colour): 300 dpi
  • Combination: 600 dpi

Figure legends must be included in the main manuscript file (after the reference list), not within the figure file.

Tables

Tables must be included in the main manuscript, immediately after figure legends, and submitted in editable format (preferably Word). Tables must be self-contained, not duplicate the text, and be numbered consecutively.

  • Define abbreviations in footnotes.
  • Define statistical measures (e.g., SD, SEM) in the table heading.
  • Footnote symbols order: †, ‡, §, ¶
  • Reserve *, **, *** for p-values only.

Supplementary Material

Supplementary material may be submitted to support and enhance the scientific content of the manuscript. Examples include extended datasets, additional tables or figures, detailed methodological descriptions, statistical code, questionnaires, and multimedia files.

  • Supplementary files must be submitted separately from the main manuscript.
  • Each file must be clearly labelled (e.g., Supplementary Table 1).
  • All supplementary material must be cited in the main text.
  • Files should be provided in commonly accessible formats.

8. Nomenclature, Units and Abbreviations

Nomenclature

Scientific terminology should follow internationally recognized standards relevant to the discipline. Authors should:

  • Use accepted medical and scientific terminology.
  • Prefer generic names over proprietary or brand names for drugs, devices, and equipment.
  • Ensure consistency in terminology throughout the manuscript.
  • Use internationally accepted anatomical and clinical terminology.

Units of Measurement

All measurements must be reported using the International System of Units (SI).

  • Units should be expressed consistently throughout the manuscript.
  • A space should separate the numerical value from the unit (e.g., 10 kg, 5 mL).
  • Decimal points (not commas) should be used in English-language manuscripts.

Abbreviations

Abbreviations should be used sparingly and only when they improve readability.

  • Each abbreviation must be defined at first mention in the text.
  • The abbreviation should then be used consistently throughout the manuscript.
  • Abbreviations should not be introduced in the title.
  • Avoid using abbreviations in the abstract unless they are widely recognized.

9. References

Authors are responsible for the accuracy and completeness of all references. References must be formatted according to the journal’s reference style and must be cited in the text in numerical order.

References should follow the ICMJE recommendations (Vancouver style).

Citation in the Text

  • References should be cited using superscript Arabic numerals, in the order in which they first appear in the text.
  • Multiple references should be separated by commas (e.g., 3,4,7).
  • Consecutive references should be indicated using a hyphen (e.g., 5–8).

How to Cite Journal Articles

Author(s). Title of article. Journal Title. Year;Volume(Issue):Page range. doi

Example: Smith AB, Johnson CD. Midwifery-led care and maternal outcomes. Women Birth. 2022;35(3):210–217. doi:10.xxxx/xxxxxx

If there are more than six authors, list the first six followed by “et al.”

How to Cite Books

Author(s). Title of Book. Edition (if not first). Place of publication: Publisher; Year.

Example: Brown L. Evidence-Based Midwifery Practice. 2nd ed. London: Academic Press; 2020.

How to Cite Online Resources

Author(s) or Organization. Title of document. Website name. Published year. Available at: URL. Accessed [Month Year].

Where available, a DOI should be used instead of a URL.

10. Submission Checklist

Manuscript Files

Content and Structure

  • Abstract within limits and correctly structured
  • 3–6 keywords provided
  • Tables/figures cited in text
  • References formatted correctly

Ethical and Legal Requirements

  • Ethics approval statement included
  • Informed consent statement included (if applicable)
  • Trial registration details provided (if applicable)
  • Conflict of interest statement included
  • Funding statement included
  • AI statement included (as applicable)

Double-Blind Compliance

  • No identifying information in the manuscript file

Final Verification

  • Manuscript proofread for language and clarity
  • All required sections complete
  • Corresponding author details accurate