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Should midwives measure blood loss in the fourth stage of labour?

The fourth stage of labour is defined in some research as the first 1 to 2 hours following delivery of the placenta (Kashanian et al, 2010; Gungorduk et al, 2011) However, in undertaking a literature...

Discourse on dystocia: A much needed professional dialogue

When I first read the recent article in the May issue of BJM on ‘Managing shoulder dystocia: understanding and applying the RCOG guidance’ (Jenkins, 2014), I was immediately engaged and interested in...

Healthcare system reform and professional identity

Recently I have been reflecting on my experiences as an independent midwife from 2000 to 2001 and as part of a group practice between 2001 and 2003 While at times challenging and emotionally...

Education, education, education

It has been almost 3 years since the publication and launch of the MINT project (Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), 2010) and two things have brought this back to the forefront of my mind. The...

Is there such thing as safe drug use in pregnancy?

From nausea and sickness to depression, it is universally acknowledged that pregnant women get ill. However, drug taking in pregnancy is a contentious issue and most midwives and doctors steer clear...

Midwifery past and present

When I was asked to write this column I immediately agreed without giving a thought to what I would write about that would interest you the readers.

Communication is a two-way street

It is well known that effective communication encompasses both verbal and non-verbal methods. Hurst-Brown and Keens (1990) identified eight areas that are required in order to be able to successfully...

Deaf Nest: Time for change!

Hearing loss is one of the most neglected, under-researched and unrecognised public health issues affecting one in six of the population in the UK. It is widespread and growing with 14.5 million...

European Union law denies commissioning parents paid leave on the birth of their child

The European Court of Justice (ECJ) has ruled that parents who have a child through a surrogacy arrangement are not entitled to paid leave equivalent to either maternity leave or adoption leave in the...

Birth complications more likely in assisted reproduction babies

Australia Australian researchers have found that birth complications are higher among babies conceived by assisted reproductive therapies than those conceived naturally The risk of complications...

An exploratory study into student midwives understanding of the role of the physiotherapist

The role of the obstetric physiotherapist is well defined, during the antenatal phase, they ‘aim to prevent or alleviate the physical and emotional stresses of pregnancy and labour’ Postnatally, they...

Collaborative Action in Lowering Maternity Encountered Deaths

The Collaborative Action in Lowering Maternity Encountered Deaths (CALMED) project aims to send vocational training teams (VTTs) to provide training for a group of ‘master trainers’ in two different...

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