Search Results for: induction

Why Induction Matters

Why Induction Matters: book release

Posted on October 5, 2018 by

Updated: July 2019 My book Why Induction Matters  is now available from all the usual retailers: Amazon; Book Depository; Booktopia; Capers Bookstore; Wordery Around 1 in 4 women have their labour induced (1 in 3 in the UK and Australia). This book is … Continue reading →

Posted in intervention, publications | Tagged , | 23 Comments

Post-Dates Induction of Labour: balancing risks

Posted on July 13, 2016 by

Updated: August 2019 In Australia 33% of labours are induced (40.5% of first time mothers). The most common reason for induction is to prevent a ‘prolonged pregnancy’. That’s an awful lot of babies outstaying their welcome and requiring eviction. I am … Continue reading →

Posted in baby, birth, intervention | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 263 Comments

Induction: a step by step guide

Posted on March 18, 2015 by

Updated: August 2019 This post has been inspired by conversations I’ve had with women about their experiences of induction. Induction of labour is increasingly common, yet women often seem to be very mis-informed about what it involves, or what was … Continue reading →

Posted in birth, intervention | Tagged , , , , , , | 166 Comments

Big Babies: the risk of care provider fear

Posted on September 2, 2019 by

Big babies are normal in well resourced countries. Over 10% of babies born in the UK and Australia weigh 4kg (8lb 13oz) or more. Healthy well nourished women grow healthy well nourished babies. Genetic factors also influence the size of … Continue reading →

Posted in birth, intervention, midwifery practice, pregnancy, uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 14 Comments

No Woman’s Land: a student midwife’s call (guest post)

Posted on April 9, 2019 by

I received the following from an Australian midwifery student who has agreed for me to publish the post anonymously.  Whilst it can be confronting, it is so important to listen to midwifery students with open ears and hearts. They see … Continue reading →

Posted in guest post, midwifery practice, opinion and thoughts | Tagged , | 40 Comments

Perineal ‘Bundles’ and Midwifery

Posted on May 9, 2018 by

Updated: August 2020 I’ve tried to avoid tackling this issue for months now but it won’t go away. It seems that the ‘bundle’ is one of the main topics of concern amongst midwives and students at the moment. So here … Continue reading →

Posted in birth, intervention, law, midwifery practice | Tagged , , , , | 37 Comments

Gestational Diabetes: beyond the label

Posted on March 20, 2018 by

Updated: August 2019 I have written this blog post in response to readers’ requests. Trying to make sense of the research and guidelines hurt my brain, and I almost gave up a few times. So, for those who asked – I … Continue reading →

Posted in baby, birth, intervention, pregnancy | 42 Comments

Understanding and Assessing Labour Progress

Posted on February 3, 2017 by

Updated: October 2019 I have previously written about how the current framework for understanding and assessing labour progress is inaccurate, not supported by evidence, and fails to incorporate women’s experience of birth. This post is in response to readers asking … Continue reading →

Posted in birth, midwifery practice | Tagged , , , , | 15 Comments

Pre-labour Rupture of Membranes: impatience and risk

Posted on January 11, 2017 by

Updated: July 2019 Amniotic sac and fluid play an important role in the labour process and usually remain intact until the end of labour. However, around 10% of women will experience their waters breaking before labour begins. The standard approach to this situation is to induce labour … Continue reading →

Posted in baby, birth, intervention, midwifery practice, pregnancy | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 227 Comments