This website is intended for healthcare professionals

Literature Review

The role of fetal movement counting and ‘kick charts’ to reduce stillbirths in pregnancies ≥28 weeks’ gestation

Despite advances in maternity care internationally, stillbirths remain a significant global issue (Frøen et al, 2011) with approximately 26 million cases reported in 2015 (Lawn et al, 2016) In...

Cultural qualities and antenatal care for black African women: A literature review

Historically, black African women in the UK have an increased risk of dying in childbirth, compared to other ethnic minority groups, a phenomenon that has been noted since 2000 This has been related...

Are women empowered to make decisions about the use of antidepressants in pregnancy?

Depression and anxiety are two of the most common health problems in pregnancy in the UK, affecting 12% and 13% of women, respectively (Heron et al, 2004; Gavin et al, 2005; Vesga-Lopez et al, 2008)...

Does frenotomy improve breastfeeding problems in neonates with ankyloglossia?

Breastfeeding is the natural way of providing neonates with all the nutrients they need for growth and development; with exclusive breastfeeding recommended for the first 6 months of life (World...

Reviewing the effect of hyperemesis gravidarum on women's lives and mental health

Hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) is a pregnancy condition characterised by extreme levels of intractable nausea and vomiting, fatigue, distorted olfaction responses and hypersalivation Symptoms can lead to...

The midwife's role in suicide prevention

Pregnancy and transition to motherhood is traditionally perceived as a happy event, yet 20% of mothers experience mental illness (National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE), 2015)

Outpatient induction of labour with prostaglandins: Safety, effectiveness and women's views

Induction of labour is a procedure that is offered to women when it is considered that giving birth is of greater benefit to the mother or baby than remaining pregnant (Thomas et al, 2014) Labour may...

Mindfulness for men with pregnant partners: An integrative literature review (Part two)

Pregnancy is an important time of change, growth and stress, not only for the woman, but also for her partner, children and family (Duncan and Bardacke, 2010) The transition into parenthood can be...

Mindfulness for men with pregnant partners: An integrative literature review (Part one)

The transition to parenthood for men is commonly described as both stressful and challenging (Genesoni and Tallandini, 2009; Leach et al, 2016)

Why is education for pelvic floor muscle exercises a neglected public health issue?

Pelvic floor muscle exercises are suggested as a method to improve pelvic muscle control in the antenatal and postnatal period (Dinc et al, 2009; Bo and Haakstad, 2011; Langeland-Wesnes and Lose,...

What can be done to raise midwives' awareness of female genital mutilation?

Female genital mutilation (FGM) is described by the World Health Organization (WHO, 2016) as the partial or total removal of the external genitalia as well as other non-medical injury to this region...

Does extending time limits in the second stage of labour compromise maternal and neonatal outcomes?

The second stage of labour is defined as full cervical dilation until delivery of the baby In fact, it is so much more The woman embodies both physical strength and emotional vulnerability as with...

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