Category Archives: intervention

The Perineal ‘Bundle’ and Midwifery

Posted on May 9, 2018 by

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 goes – my … Continue reading →

Posted in birth, intervention, law, midwifery practice | Tagged , , , , | 29 Comments

Pre-labour Rupture of Membranes: impatience and risk

Posted on January 11, 2017 by

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 by using prostaglandins … Continue reading →

Posted in baby, birth, intervention, midwifery practice | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 224 Comments

Induction of Labour: balancing risks

Posted on July 13, 2016 by

In Australia 26% of labours are induced. The most common reason for induction is a ‘prolonged pregnancy’. That’s an awful lot of babies outstaying their welcome and requiring eviction. I am not going to get stuck into the concept of a … Continue reading →

Posted in baby, birth, intervention | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 255 Comments

The Anterior Cervical Lip: how to ruin a perfectly good birth

Posted on June 15, 2016 by

Here is a scenario I keep hearing over and over: A woman is labouring away and all is good. She begins to push with contractions, and her midwife encourages her to follow her body. After a little while the midwife … Continue reading →

Posted in birth, intervention, midwifery practice | Tagged , , , , , | 429 Comments

VBAC: making a mountain out of a molehill

Posted on June 15, 2016 by

VBAC (vaginal birth after caesarean) is big. A google search for ‘vbac’ results in ‘about 795,000’ results. Reviews, guidelines, policies and statements are being produced by every organisation with an interest in birth. Support groups and networks are growing. I am … Continue reading →

Posted in birth, intervention, midwifery practice | Tagged , , , | 333 Comments

The Placenta: essential resuscitation equipment

Posted on April 13, 2016 by

Updated: January 2018 Knowledge about the short-term and long-term benefits of ‘delayed cord clamping’ is finally making it into practice. Midwives and in some cases obstetricians are realising the importance of allowing the placenta to finish circulating blood before intervening. … Continue reading →

Posted in baby, birth, intervention, midwifery practice | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 109 Comments

In Defence of the Amniotic Sac

Posted on September 16, 2015 by

Artificial rupture of membranes (ARM) aka ‘breaking the waters’ is a common intervention during birth. However, an ARM should not be carried out without a good understanding of how the amniotic sac and fluid function in labour. Women need to … Continue reading →

Posted in birth, intervention, midwifery practice | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 219 Comments