Category Archives: intervention

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

Posted on January 22, 2011 by

Edited and update: June 2016 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 … Continue reading →

Posted in birth, intervention, midwifery practice | Tagged , , , , , | 406 Comments

Shoulder Dystocia: the real story

Posted on December 3, 2010 by

Edited and updated: May 2015 The media have been reporting on shoulder dystocia. Apparently doctors are having to attend special classes to learn how to break babies’ bones because mothers are fat, and make their babies too big. At least that’s … Continue reading →

Posted in birth, intervention, midwifery practice | Tagged , , , , , | 174 Comments

Testing, Testing…

Posted on November 14, 2010 by

I am visiting the BaBs Sunshine Coast group tomorrow to talk about the tests offered during pregnancy and afterwards to newborns. You can download my antenatal tests summary information if you are interested. The summary will provide you with an overview … Continue reading →

Posted in intervention, midwifery practice, pregnancy | Tagged , , , , , , , | 37 Comments

The Curse of Meconium Stained Liquor

Posted on October 9, 2010 by

Edited and updated: January 2015 When meconium is noticed in amniotic fluid during labour it often initiates a cascade of intervention. A CTG machine will often be strapped onto the woman reducing her ability to move, labour in water, and increasing … Continue reading →

Posted in baby, birth, intervention, midwifery practice | Tagged , , , , | 177 Comments

Induction of Labour: balancing risks

Posted on September 16, 2010 by

Edited and updated: June 2016 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 … Continue reading →

Posted in baby, birth, intervention | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 248 Comments

Pre-labour Rupture of Membranes: impatience and risk

Posted on September 10, 2010 by

Edited and updated: November 2015 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 … Continue reading →

Posted in baby, birth, intervention, midwifery practice | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 206 Comments

The Placenta: essential resuscitation equipment

Posted on August 26, 2010 by

Edited/Updated: April 2016 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. I … Continue reading →

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