This website is intended for healthcare professionals

Research roundup—November 2014

Respectful care The World Health Organization has recently published a statement on the prevention and elimination of disrespect and abuse during facility-based childbirth (WHO, 2014) It embraces...

Three in a bed

Three days after my child was born, we were transferred to the baby unit. My child was poorly and I was uncertain what was going to happen. During that time, every cell in my body was telling me to...

Cast your votes now

In response to the Government's announcement in March that 60% of NHS staff will not get any pay rise this year and only those at the top of their bands will receive a 1% unconsolidated lump sum, the...

What can midwives learn from New Zealand?

I have had a long-term connection with New Zealand since the early 1990s when both England and New Zealand started to implement policies for woman-centred care and continuity of care. Our shared...

Providing financial support at the time of greatest need

Like many good ideas, the Child Funeral Charity came about through personal experience. I've been in education most of my life and all Trustees are involved in the funeral industry.

Neonatal skin cleansing revisited: Whether or not to use skin cleansing products

Midwives are commonly asked by parents for advice on how they should clean their newborn infant and what should they use on his/her skin The answers are not as straight forward as might be supposed...

Comparison of instrumental vaginal births by assisted birth practitioner midwives and medical practitioners

Assisted birth practitioner (ABP) midwives are experienced midwives who have undertaken additional training through a recognised course such as the Assisted Birth Programme run by the University of...

Do women who have encountered vaginal childbirth experience long term incontinence or perineal pain?

Up to 85% of vaginal births result in perineal trauma, of which 69% require suturing (McCandlish et al, 1998; Liu, 2007) It has been suggested that suturing can increase the risk of dyspareunia...

Attitudes of student midwives caring for women with perinatal mental health problems

Psychiatric illness is one of the leading indirect causes of maternal mortality and maternal morbidity in the UK A confidential report on the causes of maternal death in the UK suggested a significant...

The healthy eating and lifestyle in pregnancy (HELP) feasibility study

The prevalence of obesity in pregnancy is increasing: around 1 in 5 women attending antenatal care in the UK are obese and in the current obesogenic environment, with a rise in the number of obese...

Clinical handover on the labour ward: A narrative synthesis of the literature

Clinical handover has long been identified as a critical point in patient care Safety and quality are considered key concepts within the provision of services in modern society The publication in the...

Childbirth and the future of homo sapiens

Childbirth and the future of homo sapiens Michel Odent's ‘Childbirth and the future of Homo Sapiens’ (2013) aims to promote and inform discussion and debate around the changing views of childbirth...

Why choose British Journal of Midwifery?

BJM supports midwives by sharing expertise and advice to help you build confidence, grow professionally and improve care.

What's included

  • Evidence-based best practice

  • Peer-reviewed research

  • Practical guidance

  • CPD support

Subscriptions start:

From £12.75 GBP