Birthwrite
Trusting women and birth despite the ‘risks’
There are different ideologies and models in maternity care, each with underlying assumptions and philosophies relating to women and the care provided to them during the childbirth continuum. The...
Feminism, midwifery and the medicalisation of birth
Historically, childbirth was the domain of women only, for it was regarded as a female mystery, of which women alone had special knowledge and understanding. From the 1700s, with the rise of science...
Improving outcomes through education and co-creation
The recent Mothers and Babies: Reducing Risk through Audits and Confidential Enquiries across the UK (MBRRACE-UK) report has exposed some shocking findings regarding the maternity outcomes amongst...
Provision of supportive care
The increased pace and involuntary nature of labour physiology renders it a period of maximum stress for both the fetus and the mother, particularly within the second stage of labour (McDonnell and...
Physiology's role in labour assessment
This article considers the importance of observing the physiological and behavioural cues exhibited by women during advanced labour to facilitate labour assessment In-depth knowledge of labour...
Is it time for a more holistic assessment of labour progress?
This article considers the assessment of labour progress and questions the generalised acceptance of undertaking routine vaginal examinations during the care provision of women experiencing low-risk...
The value of clinical mnemonics
In the final article of my series exploring neonatal topics relevant to the midwife, I'd like to explore the newborn and infant physical examination (NIPE), and share some aids I have created to...
Neonatal transitional care: what it is and isn't
In the second article of my series exploring neonatal topics relevant to the midwife, I'd like to discuss the contemporary topic of neonatal transitional care (NTC) This is an area of particular...
Remember the late preterm neonate
In the first of a series of articles exploring neonatal topics relevant to the midwife, I'd like to start with the often overlooked late preterm (LP) neonate As a midwifery lecturer, and occasional...
Why breech birth matters
I was recently teaching a physiological breech birth training day for Breech Birth Network, CIC where I met a wonderful doula with a vast amount of knowledge on physiological birth and supporting...
Induction of labour—the debate
Induction of labour is currently a topical issue in midwifery This month, I am risking controversy by discussing my thoughts on the debate over increasing induction of labour Over the past two years,...
Abdominal palpation—a core skill
My mind starts to wander to the days spent training and the basic midwifery skills taught to the midwives in the health centres The two health centres I taught at were in remote ‘kebeles’ (villages)...
Reflecting on #16DaysofActivism2019
During November and December 2019, I was delighted to see so much activity around the international ‘16 Days of Activism’ campaign to end violence against women and girls This years' theme was ‘Orange...
Midwives in 2020: time to flourish and change perceptions
The international year of the midwife (and nurse) is nearly upon us Throughout the year 2020, the whole world will be focused upon our professions As such, we have an opportunity to shape how we...
‘They/them’ in the birth room
New research is required to understand the needs of transgender people in the birth room
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