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MIDWIFETHINKING
3: When episiotomy is indicated it should be performed: a) at crowning of the fetal head; b) using a medio-lateral incision; c) at a minimum 60 degree angle from the fourchette. NB. An episiotomy is indicated for all women requiring a forceps or vacuum assisted delivery having their first vaginal birth. INDEX | MIDWIFETHINKING Index. Below is a list of all my blog posts in alphabetical order (excluding ‘the’, ‘a’, etc). The posts are updated regularly with new research and resources: An actively managed placental birth might be the best option for most women. The Anterior Cervical Lip: how to ruin a perfectly good birth. Amniotic Fluid Volume: too much,too
INDUCTION | MIDWIFETHINKING Posted on July 13, 2016 by MidwifeThinking. 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 welcomeand
PUSHING | MIDWIFETHINKING Posted on September 9, 2015 by MidwifeThinking. This article was published in The Practising Midwife journal in June 2015 along with ‘practice challenge’ questions for midwives (not included here). Introduction Clinical guidelines recommend that women should be guided by their own pushing urges during birth (National Institute for Health.
VAGINAL EXAMINATION
Vaginal examinations: a symptom of a cervical-centric birth culture. Posted on May 2, 2015 by MidwifeThinking. Updated: January 2019 This post is about routine vaginal examinations (VE) during physiological birth ie. an uncomplicated birth without any medical intervention. The VE is a useful assessment in some circumstances, but it’s routineUMBILICAL CORD
Nuchal Cords: the perfect scapegoat. Posted on May 13, 2015 by MidwifeThinking. Updated: January 2020 To get this blog going I decided to write about a slight obsession of mine: The fear of, and routine midwifery management of nuchal cords at birth (umbilical cord around the neck). I have written and presented . UNDERSTANDING AND ASSESSING LABOUR PROGRESS 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 me to write about how to assess labour progress without vaginal examinations or palpating contractions. BIG BABIES: THE RISK OF CARE PROVIDER FEAR PERINEAL PROTECTORS? Updated: September 2019. Most women will sustain some damage to their perineum during birth ( AIHW 2018 ). Around 50% will have a tear or graze in the skin and/or vaginal wall (1st / 2nd degree). Occasionally (1% of non-instrumental vaginal births) significant tearing occurs that extends into the anal sphincter (3rd / 4th degree). RESEARCH (BIAS) AND MATERNITY CAREMIDWIFETHINKING
3: When episiotomy is indicated it should be performed: a) at crowning of the fetal head; b) using a medio-lateral incision; c) at a minimum 60 degree angle from the fourchette. NB. An episiotomy is indicated for all women requiring a forceps or vacuum assisted delivery having their first vaginal birth. INDEX | MIDWIFETHINKING Index. Below is a list of all my blog posts in alphabetical order (excluding ‘the’, ‘a’, etc). The posts are updated regularly with new research and resources: An actively managed placental birth might be the best option for most women. The Anterior Cervical Lip: how to ruin a perfectly good birth. Amniotic Fluid Volume: too much,too
INDUCTION | MIDWIFETHINKING Posted on July 13, 2016 by MidwifeThinking. 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 welcomeand
PUSHING | MIDWIFETHINKING Posted on September 9, 2015 by MidwifeThinking. This article was published in The Practising Midwife journal in June 2015 along with ‘practice challenge’ questions for midwives (not included here). Introduction Clinical guidelines recommend that women should be guided by their own pushing urges during birth (National Institute for Health.
VAGINAL EXAMINATION
Vaginal examinations: a symptom of a cervical-centric birth culture. Posted on May 2, 2015 by MidwifeThinking. Updated: January 2019 This post is about routine vaginal examinations (VE) during physiological birth ie. an uncomplicated birth without any medical intervention. The VE is a useful assessment in some circumstances, but it’s routineUMBILICAL CORD
Nuchal Cords: the perfect scapegoat. Posted on May 13, 2015 by MidwifeThinking. Updated: January 2020 To get this blog going I decided to write about a slight obsession of mine: The fear of, and routine midwifery management of nuchal cords at birth (umbilical cord around the neck). I have written and presented . UNDERSTANDING AND ASSESSING LABOUR PROGRESS 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 me to write about how to assess labour progress without vaginal examinations or palpating contractions. BIG BABIES: THE RISK OF CARE PROVIDER FEAR PERINEAL PROTECTORS? Updated: September 2019. Most women will sustain some damage to their perineum during birth ( AIHW 2018 ). Around 50% will have a tear or graze in the skin and/or vaginal wall (1st / 2nd degree). Occasionally (1% of non-instrumental vaginal births) significant tearing occurs that extends into the anal sphincter (3rd / 4th degree). RESEARCH (BIAS) AND MATERNITY CARE INDEX | MIDWIFETHINKING Below is a list of all my blog posts in alphabetical order (excluding 'the', 'a', etc). The posts are updated regularly with new research and resources: An actively managed placental birth might be the best option for most women The Anterior Cervical Lip: how to ruin a UNDERSTANDING AND ASSESSING LABOUR PROGRESS 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 me to write about how to assess labour progress without vaginal examinations or palpating contractions.UMBILICAL CORD
Nuchal Cords: the perfect scapegoat. Posted on May 13, 2015 by MidwifeThinking. Updated: January 2020 To get this blog going I decided to write about a slight obsession of mine: The fear of, and routine midwifery management of nuchal cords at birth (umbilical cord around the neck). I have written and presented .CERVICAL LIP
The Anterior Cervical Lip: how to ruin a perfectly good birth. Posted on June 15, 2016 by MidwifeThinking. Updated: December 2020 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 RESPONSIBILITIES IN THE MOTHER-MIDWIFE RELATIONSHIP Updated: April 2020 When I facilitate workshops with midwives and students, there is always a lot of discussion and debate about professional responsibilities in the mother-midwife relationship. These debates often get heated, and the complexities of legal, professional, and ethical issues can become confusing. This post is an attempt to 'un-confuse' and simplify these matters a THE EFFECTIVE LABOUR CONTRACTION Oxytocin is influenced by, and influences feelings and behaviour. There is a growing body of research exploring this aspect of oxytocin and it’s potential uses from treating autism to persuading us to buy products in shops. For real oxytocin nerds like myself, Moberg has written an entire book on how this hormone works. Michel Odent and Sarah Buckley are gurus when it comes to the function POST-DATES INDUCTION OF LABOUR: BALANCING RISKS 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 not going to get stuck into the concept of 'due dates' or rather 'guess dates' IN CELEBRATION OF THE OP BABY An occipito posterior (OP) position occurs when the baby enters the pelvis facing forward with his back towards his mothers back. The back of the baby’s head is referred to as the ‘occiput’ and is in the back of the pelvis against the sacrum. Between 15-30% of babies start labour in an OP position, but less than 5% will remain in this PRE-LABOUR RUPTURE OF MEMBRANES: IMPATIENCE AND RISK 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 by using prostaglandins and/or syntocinon (aka pitocin) to stimulate contractions. THE CURSE OF MECONIUM STAINED LIQUOR MAS is the major concern when meconium is floating about in the amniotic fluid. It is an extremely rare complication – around 2-5% of the 15-20% of babies with meconium stained liquor will develop MAS ( Unsworth & Vause 2010 ). Of the 2-5% of the 15-20%, 3-5% of babies will die. OK enough %s of %s – basically it is very rare but can befatal.
MIDWIFETHINKING
The quotes that illustrate these themes can be found in the journal article.I particularly like the descriptions of birthing the placenta! Here are a couple: “The actual birth of the placenta was just weird, just because it was so soft. INDEX | MIDWIFETHINKING Below is a list of all my blog posts in alphabetical order (excluding 'the', 'a', etc). The posts are updated regularly with new research and resources: An actively managed placental birth might be the best option for most women The Anterior Cervical Lip: how to ruin a perfectly good birth Amniotic Fluid Volume: too much, INDUCTION | MIDWIFETHINKING 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. PUSHING | MIDWIFETHINKING Updated: September 2019 Most women will sustain some damage to their perineum during birth (AIHW 2018). Around 50% will have a tear or graze in the skin and/or vaginal wall (1st / 2nd degree).UMBILICAL CORD
Updated: January 2020 To get this blog going I decided to write about a slight obsession of mine: The fear of, and routine midwiferymanagement of
UNDERSTANDING AND ASSESSING LABOUR PROGRESS 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 me to write about how to assess labour progress without vaginal examinations or palpating contractions.VAGINAL EXAMINATION
Posts about vaginal examination written by MidwifeThinking. Florence from the @theobspod has a reviewed my book on her latest podcastepisode.
AMNIOTIC FLUID
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. BIG BABIES: THE RISK OF CARE PROVIDER FEAR RESEARCH (BIAS) AND MATERNITY CAREMIDWIFETHINKING
The quotes that illustrate these themes can be found in the journal article.I particularly like the descriptions of birthing the placenta! Here are a couple: “The actual birth of the placenta was just weird, just because it was so soft. INDEX | MIDWIFETHINKING Below is a list of all my blog posts in alphabetical order (excluding 'the', 'a', etc). The posts are updated regularly with new research and resources: An actively managed placental birth might be the best option for most women The Anterior Cervical Lip: how to ruin a perfectly good birth Amniotic Fluid Volume: too much, INDUCTION | MIDWIFETHINKING 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. PUSHING | MIDWIFETHINKING Updated: September 2019 Most women will sustain some damage to their perineum during birth (AIHW 2018). Around 50% will have a tear or graze in the skin and/or vaginal wall (1st / 2nd degree).UMBILICAL CORD
Updated: January 2020 To get this blog going I decided to write about a slight obsession of mine: The fear of, and routine midwiferymanagement of
UNDERSTANDING AND ASSESSING LABOUR PROGRESS 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 me to write about how to assess labour progress without vaginal examinations or palpating contractions.VAGINAL EXAMINATION
Posts about vaginal examination written by MidwifeThinking. Florence from the @theobspod has a reviewed my book on her latest podcastepisode.
AMNIOTIC FLUID
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. BIG BABIES: THE RISK OF CARE PROVIDER FEAR RESEARCH (BIAS) AND MATERNITY CARE INDEX | MIDWIFETHINKING Below is a list of all my blog posts in alphabetical order (excluding 'the', 'a', etc). The posts are updated regularly with new research and resources: An actively managed placental birth might be the best option for most women The Anterior Cervical Lip: how to ruin aMIDWIFETHINKING
Dr Rachel Reed. There are a number of ‘alternative’ or ‘natural’ induction methods available (I have a chapter discussing the evidence for various methods in my book).However, trying to get the body/baby to do something it is not ready to do is still an intervention whether it is with medicine, herbs, therapies, techniquesor anything else.
PERINEAL PROTECTORS? Updated: September 2019 Artwork by Dana Leggett: Most women will sustain some damage to their perineum during birth (AIHW 2018). Around 50% will have a tear or graze in the skin and/or vaginal wall THE EFFECTIVE LABOUR CONTRACTION Oxytocin is influenced by, and influences feelings and behaviour. There is a growing body of research exploring this aspect of oxytocin and it’s potential uses from treating autism to persuading us to buy products in shops. For real oxytocin nerds like myself, Moberg has written an entire book on how this hormone works. Michel Odent and Sarah Buckley are gurus when it comes to the function POST-DATES INDUCTION OF LABOUR: BALANCING RISKS 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 not going to get stuck into the concept of 'due dates' or rather 'guess dates' GESTATIONAL DIABETES: BEYOND THE LABEL Summary. High BGLs in pregnancy alter the growth and development of the baby, increasing the chance of particular complications occurring. However, the label ‘gestational diabetes’ is problematic because it is poorly defined and there is a lack of evidence to demonstrate that labelling and treatment improves outcomes. VBAC: MAKING A MOUNTAIN OUT OF A MOLEHILL 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 not going to add to this wealth of information. Others are doing afantastic job
IN CELEBRATION OF THE OP BABY It doesn’t really matter which way the baby’s head is when entering the brim – once her head is in the cavity she can rotate. The downward pressure of the contractions, and the tension and shape of the pelvic floor will guide her into a direct occipito anterior (OA) position and through the outlet. THE CURSE OF MECONIUM STAINED LIQUOR 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 her chance of having a c-section or instrumental delivery (Alfirevic et al. 2013). Time limits for labour may betightened
LISTENING TO BABY DURING LABOUR Updated: January 2018 Intermittent auscultation (IA) is considered to be an important aspect of midwifery care for women during a ‘low risk’ labour. The expectation of surveillance of the baby is reflected in guidelines and hospital policies. The recommended frequency of IA is generally every 15-30 minutes during the first stage of labour and after everyMIDWIFETHINKING
3: When episiotomy is indicated it should be performed: a) at crowning of the fetal head; b) using a medio-lateral incision; c) at a minimum 60 degree angle from the fourchette. NB. An episiotomy is indicated for all women requiring a forceps or vacuum assisted delivery having their first vaginal birth. INDEX | MIDWIFETHINKING Index. Below is a list of all my blog posts in alphabetical order (excluding ‘the’, ‘a’, etc). The posts are updated regularly with new research and resources: An actively managed placental birth might be the best option for most women. The Anterior Cervical Lip: how to ruin a perfectly good birth. Amniotic Fluid Volume: too much,too
INDUCTION | MIDWIFETHINKING Posted on July 13, 2016 by MidwifeThinking. 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 welcomeand
PUSHING | MIDWIFETHINKING Posted on September 9, 2015 by MidwifeThinking. This article was published in The Practising Midwife journal in June 2015 along with ‘practice challenge’ questions for midwives (not included here). Introduction Clinical guidelines recommend that women should be guided by their own pushing urges during birth (National Institute for Health.
VAGINAL EXAMINATION
Vaginal examinations: a symptom of a cervical-centric birth culture. Posted on May 2, 2015 by MidwifeThinking. Updated: January 2019 This post is about routine vaginal examinations (VE) during physiological birth ie. an uncomplicated birth without any medical intervention. The VE is a useful assessment in some circumstances, but it’s routine UNDERSTANDING AND ASSESSING LABOUR PROGRESS 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 me to write about how to assess labour progress without vaginal examinations or palpating contractions.UMBILICAL CORD
Nuchal Cords: the perfect scapegoat. Posted on May 13, 2015 by MidwifeThinking. Updated: January 2020 To get this blog going I decided to write about a slight obsession of mine: The fear of, and routine midwifery management of nuchal cords at birth (umbilical cord around the neck). I have written and presented . BIG BABIES: THE RISK OF CARE PROVIDER FEAR RESEARCH (BIAS) AND MATERNITY CARE THE EFFECTIVE LABOUR CONTRACTION Oxytocin is influenced by, and influences feelings and behaviour. There is a growing body of research exploring this aspect of oxytocin and it’s potential uses from treating autism to persuading us to buy products in shops. For real oxytocin nerds like myself, Moberg has written an entire book on how this hormone works. Michel Odent and Sarah Buckley are gurus when it comes to the functionMIDWIFETHINKING
3: When episiotomy is indicated it should be performed: a) at crowning of the fetal head; b) using a medio-lateral incision; c) at a minimum 60 degree angle from the fourchette. NB. An episiotomy is indicated for all women requiring a forceps or vacuum assisted delivery having their first vaginal birth. INDEX | MIDWIFETHINKING Index. Below is a list of all my blog posts in alphabetical order (excluding ‘the’, ‘a’, etc). The posts are updated regularly with new research and resources: An actively managed placental birth might be the best option for most women. The Anterior Cervical Lip: how to ruin a perfectly good birth. Amniotic Fluid Volume: too much,too
INDUCTION | MIDWIFETHINKING Posted on July 13, 2016 by MidwifeThinking. 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 welcomeand
PUSHING | MIDWIFETHINKING Posted on September 9, 2015 by MidwifeThinking. This article was published in The Practising Midwife journal in June 2015 along with ‘practice challenge’ questions for midwives (not included here). Introduction Clinical guidelines recommend that women should be guided by their own pushing urges during birth (National Institute for Health.
VAGINAL EXAMINATION
Vaginal examinations: a symptom of a cervical-centric birth culture. Posted on May 2, 2015 by MidwifeThinking. Updated: January 2019 This post is about routine vaginal examinations (VE) during physiological birth ie. an uncomplicated birth without any medical intervention. The VE is a useful assessment in some circumstances, but it’s routine UNDERSTANDING AND ASSESSING LABOUR PROGRESS 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 me to write about how to assess labour progress without vaginal examinations or palpating contractions.UMBILICAL CORD
Nuchal Cords: the perfect scapegoat. Posted on May 13, 2015 by MidwifeThinking. Updated: January 2020 To get this blog going I decided to write about a slight obsession of mine: The fear of, and routine midwifery management of nuchal cords at birth (umbilical cord around the neck). I have written and presented . BIG BABIES: THE RISK OF CARE PROVIDER FEAR RESEARCH (BIAS) AND MATERNITY CARE THE EFFECTIVE LABOUR CONTRACTION Oxytocin is influenced by, and influences feelings and behaviour. There is a growing body of research exploring this aspect of oxytocin and it’s potential uses from treating autism to persuading us to buy products in shops. For real oxytocin nerds like myself, Moberg has written an entire book on how this hormone works. Michel Odent and Sarah Buckley are gurus when it comes to the function INDEX | MIDWIFETHINKING Below is a list of all my blog posts in alphabetical order (excluding 'the', 'a', etc). The posts are updated regularly with new research and resources: An actively managed placental birth might be the best option for most women The Anterior Cervical Lip: how to ruin a NEWSLETTER | MIDWIFETHINKING You can sign up for a newsletter at this link. The newsletter is 3 monthly will include MidwifeThinking news: MWT report - what I've been up toNew publications Updated blog postsUp coming eventsBirth research and information I promise I won't spam you with marketing emails.MIDWIFETHINKING
Most women will sustain some damage to their perineum during birth ( AIHW 2018 ). Around 50% will have a tear or graze in the skin and/or vaginal wall (1st / 2nd degree). Occasionally (1% of non-instrumental vaginal births) significant tearing occurs that extends into the analsphincter (3rd /
PERINEAL PROTECTORS? Updated: September 2019. Most women will sustain some damage to their perineum during birth ( AIHW 2018 ). Around 50% will have a tear or graze in the skin and/or vaginal wall (1st / 2nd degree). Occasionally (1% of non-instrumental vaginal births) significant tearing occurs that extends into the anal sphincter (3rd / 4th degree). THE EFFECTIVE LABOUR CONTRACTION Oxytocin is influenced by, and influences feelings and behaviour. There is a growing body of research exploring this aspect of oxytocin and it’s potential uses from treating autism to persuading us to buy products in shops. For real oxytocin nerds like myself, Moberg has written an entire book on how this hormone works. Michel Odent and Sarah Buckley are gurus when it comes to the function POST-DATES INDUCTION OF LABOUR: BALANCING RISKS 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 not going to get stuck into the concept of 'due dates' or rather 'guess dates' GESTATIONAL DIABETES: BEYOND THE LABEL Summary. High BGLs in pregnancy alter the growth and development of the baby, increasing the chance of particular complications occurring. However, the label ‘gestational diabetes’ is problematic because it is poorly defined and there is a lack of evidence to demonstrate that labelling and treatment improves outcomes. IN CELEBRATION OF THE OP BABY An occipito posterior (OP) position occurs when the baby enters the pelvis facing forward with his back towards his mothers back. The back of the baby’s head is referred to as the ‘occiput’ and is in the back of the pelvis against the sacrum. Between 15-30% of babies start labour in an OP position, but less than 5% will remain in this VBAC: MAKING A MOUNTAIN OUT OF A MOLEHILL 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 not going to add to this wealth of information. Others are doing afantastic job
THE CURSE OF MECONIUM STAINED LIQUOR MAS is the major concern when meconium is floating about in the amniotic fluid. It is an extremely rare complication – around 2-5% of the 15-20% of babies with meconium stained liquor will develop MAS ( Unsworth & Vause 2010 ). Of the 2-5% of the 15-20%, 3-5% of babies will die. OK enough %s of %s – basically it is very rare but can befatal.
MIDWIFETHINKING
3: When episiotomy is indicated it should be performed: a) at crowning of the fetal head; b) using a medio-lateral incision; c) at a minimum 60 degree angle from the fourchette. NB. An episiotomy is indicated for all women requiring a forceps or vacuum assisted delivery having their first vaginal birth. INDUCTION | MIDWIFETHINKING Posted on July 13, 2016 by MidwifeThinking. 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 welcomeand
VAGINAL EXAMINATION
Vaginal examinations: a symptom of a cervical-centric birth culture. Posted on May 2, 2015 by MidwifeThinking. Updated: January 2019 This post is about routine vaginal examinations (VE) during physiological birth ie. an uncomplicated birth without any medical intervention. The VE is a useful assessment in some circumstances, but it’s routine UNDERSTANDING AND ASSESSING LABOUR PROGRESS 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 me to write about how to assess labour progress without vaginal examinations or palpating contractions. BIG BABIES: THE RISK OF CARE PROVIDER FEAR RESEARCH (BIAS) AND MATERNITY CARE PERINEAL PROTECTORS? Updated: September 2019. Most women will sustain some damage to their perineum during birth ( AIHW 2018 ). Around 50% will have a tear or graze in the skin and/or vaginal wall (1st / 2nd degree). Occasionally (1% of non-instrumental vaginal births) significant tearing occurs that extends into the anal sphincter (3rd / 4th degree). GESTATIONAL DIABETES: BEYOND THE LABEL Summary. High BGLs in pregnancy alter the growth and development of the baby, increasing the chance of particular complications occurring. However, the label ‘gestational diabetes’ is problematic because it is poorly defined and there is a lack of evidence to demonstrate that labelling and treatment improves outcomes. THE CURSE OF MECONIUM STAINED LIQUOR MAS is the major concern when meconium is floating about in the amniotic fluid. It is an extremely rare complication – around 2-5% of the 15-20% of babies with meconium stained liquor will develop MAS ( Unsworth & Vause 2010 ). Of the 2-5% of the 15-20%, 3-5% of babies will die. OK enough %s of %s – basically it is very rare but can befatal.
FEEL THE FEAR AND BIRTH ANYWAY This is just a little post to ease me back into the blogging world (thesis finally submitted). As usual, the content is in response to a reoccurring issue and discussions with mothers and midwives. And I welcome your experiences and comments on this topic In a backlash against the medicalisation of birth women are beginning toMIDWIFETHINKING
3: When episiotomy is indicated it should be performed: a) at crowning of the fetal head; b) using a medio-lateral incision; c) at a minimum 60 degree angle from the fourchette. NB. An episiotomy is indicated for all women requiring a forceps or vacuum assisted delivery having their first vaginal birth. INDUCTION | MIDWIFETHINKING Posted on July 13, 2016 by MidwifeThinking. 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 welcomeand
VAGINAL EXAMINATION
Vaginal examinations: a symptom of a cervical-centric birth culture. Posted on May 2, 2015 by MidwifeThinking. Updated: January 2019 This post is about routine vaginal examinations (VE) during physiological birth ie. an uncomplicated birth without any medical intervention. The VE is a useful assessment in some circumstances, but it’s routine UNDERSTANDING AND ASSESSING LABOUR PROGRESS 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 me to write about how to assess labour progress without vaginal examinations or palpating contractions. BIG BABIES: THE RISK OF CARE PROVIDER FEAR PERINEAL PROTECTORS? Updated: September 2019. Most women will sustain some damage to their perineum during birth ( AIHW 2018 ). Around 50% will have a tear or graze in the skin and/or vaginal wall (1st / 2nd degree). Occasionally (1% of non-instrumental vaginal births) significant tearing occurs that extends into the anal sphincter (3rd / 4th degree). RESEARCH (BIAS) AND MATERNITY CARE GESTATIONAL DIABETES: BEYOND THE LABEL Summary. High BGLs in pregnancy alter the growth and development of the baby, increasing the chance of particular complications occurring. However, the label ‘gestational diabetes’ is problematic because it is poorly defined and there is a lack of evidence to demonstrate that labelling and treatment improves outcomes. THE CURSE OF MECONIUM STAINED LIQUOR MAS is the major concern when meconium is floating about in the amniotic fluid. It is an extremely rare complication – around 2-5% of the 15-20% of babies with meconium stained liquor will develop MAS ( Unsworth & Vause 2010 ). Of the 2-5% of the 15-20%, 3-5% of babies will die. OK enough %s of %s – basically it is very rare but can befatal.
FEEL THE FEAR AND BIRTH ANYWAY This is just a little post to ease me back into the blogging world (thesis finally submitted). As usual, the content is in response to a reoccurring issue and discussions with mothers and midwives. And I welcome your experiences and comments on this topic In a backlash against the medicalisation of birth women are beginning to PUSHING | MIDWIFETHINKING Posted on September 9, 2015 by MidwifeThinking. This article was published in The Practising Midwife journal in June 2015 along with ‘practice challenge’ questions for midwives (not included here). Introduction Clinical guidelines recommend that women should be guided by their own pushing urges during birth (National Institute for Health.
NEWSLETTER | MIDWIFETHINKING You can sign up for a newsletter at this link. The newsletter is 3 monthly will include MidwifeThinking news: MWT report - what I've been up toNew publications Updated blog postsUp coming eventsBirth research and information I promise I won't spam you with marketing emails. INDUCTION: A STEP BY STEP GUIDE 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 done to them during induction and why. For example, one woman was told by herUMBILICAL CORD
Nuchal Cords: the perfect scapegoat. Posted on May 13, 2015 by MidwifeThinking. Updated: January 2020 To get this blog going I decided to write about a slight obsession of mine: The fear of, and routine midwifery management of nuchal cords at birth (umbilical cord around the neck). I have written and presented . PERINEAL PROTECTORS? Updated: September 2019. Most women will sustain some damage to their perineum during birth ( AIHW 2018 ). Around 50% will have a tear or graze in the skin and/or vaginal wall (1st / 2nd degree). Occasionally (1% of non-instrumental vaginal births) significant tearing occurs that extends into the anal sphincter (3rd / 4th degree). IN CELEBRATION OF THE OP BABY An occipito posterior (OP) position occurs when the baby enters the pelvis facing forward with his back towards his mothers back. The back of the baby’s head is referred to as the ‘occiput’ and is in the back of the pelvis against the sacrum. Between 15-30% of babies start labour in an OP position, but less than 5% will remain in this VBAC: MAKING A MOUNTAIN OUT OF A MOLEHILL 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 not going to add to this wealth of information. Others are doing afantastic job
THE EFFECTIVE LABOUR CONTRACTION Oxytocin is influenced by, and influences feelings and behaviour. There is a growing body of research exploring this aspect of oxytocin and it’s potential uses from treating autism to persuading us to buy products in shops. For real oxytocin nerds like myself, Moberg has written an entire book on how this hormone works. Michel Odent and Sarah Buckley are gurus when it comes to the function FEEL THE FEAR AND BIRTH ANYWAY This is just a little post to ease me back into the blogging world (thesis finally submitted). As usual, the content is in response to a reoccurring issue and discussions with mothers and midwives. And I welcome your experiences and comments on this topic In a backlash against the medicalisation of birth women are beginning to AN ACTIVELY MANAGED PLACENTAL BIRTH MIGHT BE THE BEST An actively managed placental birth might be the best option for most women. The birth of the placenta is my least favourite part of the birth process. I know I have ‘issues’ and I’m working on them. Hopefully writing this blog post will be therapeutic as well as informative. I am going to refrain from referring to the birth of theMIDWIFETHINKING
3: When episiotomy is indicated it should be performed: a) at crowning of the fetal head; b) using a medio-lateral incision; c) at a minimum 60 degree angle from the fourchette. NB. An episiotomy is indicated for all women requiring a forceps or vacuum assisted delivery having their first vaginal birth. INDUCTION | MIDWIFETHINKING Posted on July 13, 2016 by MidwifeThinking. 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 welcomeand
VAGINAL EXAMINATION
Vaginal examinations: a symptom of a cervical-centric birth culture. Posted on May 2, 2015 by MidwifeThinking. Updated: January 2019 This post is about routine vaginal examinations (VE) during physiological birth ie. an uncomplicated birth without any medical intervention. The VE is a useful assessment in some circumstances, but it’s routine UNDERSTANDING AND ASSESSING LABOUR PROGRESS 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 me to write about how to assess labour progress without vaginal examinations or palpating contractions. BIG BABIES: THE RISK OF CARE PROVIDER FEAR RESEARCH (BIAS) AND MATERNITY CARE PERINEAL PROTECTORS? Updated: September 2019. Most women will sustain some damage to their perineum during birth ( AIHW 2018 ). Around 50% will have a tear or graze in the skin and/or vaginal wall (1st / 2nd degree). Occasionally (1% of non-instrumental vaginal births) significant tearing occurs that extends into the anal sphincter (3rd / 4th degree). GESTATIONAL DIABETES: BEYOND THE LABEL Summary. High BGLs in pregnancy alter the growth and development of the baby, increasing the chance of particular complications occurring. However, the label ‘gestational diabetes’ is problematic because it is poorly defined and there is a lack of evidence to demonstrate that labelling and treatment improves outcomes. THE CURSE OF MECONIUM STAINED LIQUOR MAS is the major concern when meconium is floating about in the amniotic fluid. It is an extremely rare complication – around 2-5% of the 15-20% of babies with meconium stained liquor will develop MAS ( Unsworth & Vause 2010 ). Of the 2-5% of the 15-20%, 3-5% of babies will die. OK enough %s of %s – basically it is very rare but can befatal.
FEEL THE FEAR AND BIRTH ANYWAY This is just a little post to ease me back into the blogging world (thesis finally submitted). As usual, the content is in response to a reoccurring issue and discussions with mothers and midwives. And I welcome your experiences and comments on this topic In a backlash against the medicalisation of birth women are beginning toMIDWIFETHINKING
3: When episiotomy is indicated it should be performed: a) at crowning of the fetal head; b) using a medio-lateral incision; c) at a minimum 60 degree angle from the fourchette. NB. An episiotomy is indicated for all women requiring a forceps or vacuum assisted delivery having their first vaginal birth. INDUCTION | MIDWIFETHINKING Posted on July 13, 2016 by MidwifeThinking. 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 welcomeand
VAGINAL EXAMINATION
Vaginal examinations: a symptom of a cervical-centric birth culture. Posted on May 2, 2015 by MidwifeThinking. Updated: January 2019 This post is about routine vaginal examinations (VE) during physiological birth ie. an uncomplicated birth without any medical intervention. The VE is a useful assessment in some circumstances, but it’s routine UNDERSTANDING AND ASSESSING LABOUR PROGRESS 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 me to write about how to assess labour progress without vaginal examinations or palpating contractions. BIG BABIES: THE RISK OF CARE PROVIDER FEAR RESEARCH (BIAS) AND MATERNITY CARE PERINEAL PROTECTORS? Updated: September 2019. Most women will sustain some damage to their perineum during birth ( AIHW 2018 ). Around 50% will have a tear or graze in the skin and/or vaginal wall (1st / 2nd degree). Occasionally (1% of non-instrumental vaginal births) significant tearing occurs that extends into the anal sphincter (3rd / 4th degree). GESTATIONAL DIABETES: BEYOND THE LABEL Summary. High BGLs in pregnancy alter the growth and development of the baby, increasing the chance of particular complications occurring. However, the label ‘gestational diabetes’ is problematic because it is poorly defined and there is a lack of evidence to demonstrate that labelling and treatment improves outcomes. THE CURSE OF MECONIUM STAINED LIQUOR MAS is the major concern when meconium is floating about in the amniotic fluid. It is an extremely rare complication – around 2-5% of the 15-20% of babies with meconium stained liquor will develop MAS ( Unsworth & Vause 2010 ). Of the 2-5% of the 15-20%, 3-5% of babies will die. OK enough %s of %s – basically it is very rare but can befatal.
FEEL THE FEAR AND BIRTH ANYWAY This is just a little post to ease me back into the blogging world (thesis finally submitted). As usual, the content is in response to a reoccurring issue and discussions with mothers and midwives. And I welcome your experiences and comments on this topic In a backlash against the medicalisation of birth women are beginning to PUSHING | MIDWIFETHINKING Posted on September 9, 2015 by MidwifeThinking. This article was published in The Practising Midwife journal in June 2015 along with ‘practice challenge’ questions for midwives (not included here). Introduction Clinical guidelines recommend that women should be guided by their own pushing urges during birth (National Institute for Health.
NEWSLETTER | MIDWIFETHINKING You can sign up for a newsletter at this link. The newsletter is 3 monthly will include MidwifeThinking news: MWT report - what I've been up toNew publications Updated blog postsUp coming eventsBirth research and information I promise I won't spam you with marketing emails. INDUCTION: A STEP BY STEP GUIDE 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 done to them during induction and why. For example, one woman was told by herUMBILICAL CORD
Nuchal Cords: the perfect scapegoat. Posted on May 13, 2015 by MidwifeThinking. Updated: January 2020 To get this blog going I decided to write about a slight obsession of mine: The fear of, and routine midwifery management of nuchal cords at birth (umbilical cord around the neck). I have written and presented . PERINEAL PROTECTORS? Updated: September 2019. Most women will sustain some damage to their perineum during birth ( AIHW 2018 ). Around 50% will have a tear or graze in the skin and/or vaginal wall (1st / 2nd degree). Occasionally (1% of non-instrumental vaginal births) significant tearing occurs that extends into the anal sphincter (3rd / 4th degree). IN CELEBRATION OF THE OP BABY An occipito posterior (OP) position occurs when the baby enters the pelvis facing forward with his back towards his mothers back. The back of the baby’s head is referred to as the ‘occiput’ and is in the back of the pelvis against the sacrum. Between 15-30% of babies start labour in an OP position, but less than 5% will remain in this VBAC: MAKING A MOUNTAIN OUT OF A MOLEHILL 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 not going to add to this wealth of information. Others are doing afantastic job
THE EFFECTIVE LABOUR CONTRACTION Oxytocin is influenced by, and influences feelings and behaviour. There is a growing body of research exploring this aspect of oxytocin and it’s potential uses from treating autism to persuading us to buy products in shops. For real oxytocin nerds like myself, Moberg has written an entire book on how this hormone works. Michel Odent and Sarah Buckley are gurus when it comes to the function FEEL THE FEAR AND BIRTH ANYWAY This is just a little post to ease me back into the blogging world (thesis finally submitted). As usual, the content is in response to a reoccurring issue and discussions with mothers and midwives. And I welcome your experiences and comments on this topic In a backlash against the medicalisation of birth women are beginning to AN ACTIVELY MANAGED PLACENTAL BIRTH MIGHT BE THE BEST An actively managed placental birth might be the best option for most women. The birth of the placenta is my least favourite part of the birth process. I know I have ‘issues’ and I’m working on them. Hopefully writing this blog post will be therapeutic as well as informative. I am going to refrain from referring to the birth of theMIDWIFETHINKING
The quotes that illustrate these themes can be found in the journal article.I particularly like the descriptions of birthing the placenta! Here are a couple: “The actual birth of the placenta was just weird, just because it was so soft. INDUCTION | MIDWIFETHINKING 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. UNDERSTANDING AND ASSESSING LABOUR PROGRESS 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 me to write about how to assess labour progress without vaginal examinations or palpating contractions.VAGINAL EXAMINATION
Posts about vaginal examination written by MidwifeThinking. Florence from the @theobspod has a reviewed my book on her latest podcastepisode.
BIG BABIES: THE RISK OF CARE PROVIDER FEAR RESEARCH (BIAS) AND MATERNITY CARE PERINEAL PROTECTORS? Updated: September 2019 Artwork by Dana Leggett: Most women will sustain some damage to their perineum during birth (AIHW 2018). Around 50% will have a tear or graze in the skin and/or vaginal wall GESTATIONAL DIABETES: BEYOND THE LABEL Summary. High BGLs in pregnancy alter the growth and development of the baby, increasing the chance of particular complications occurring. However, the label ‘gestational diabetes’ is problematic because it is poorly defined and there is a lack of evidence to demonstrate that labelling and treatment improves outcomes. THE CURSE OF MECONIUM STAINED LIQUOR 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 her chance of having a c-section or instrumental delivery (Alfirevic et al. 2013). Time limits for labour may betightened
FEEL THE FEAR AND BIRTH ANYWAY This is just a little post to ease me back into the blogging world (thesis finally submitted). As usual, the content is in response to a reoccurring issue and discussions with mothers and midwives. And I welcome your experiences and comments on this topic In a backlash against the medicalisation of birth women are beginning toMIDWIFETHINKING
The quotes that illustrate these themes can be found in the journal article.I particularly like the descriptions of birthing the placenta! Here are a couple: “The actual birth of the placenta was just weird, just because it was so soft. INDUCTION | MIDWIFETHINKING 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. UNDERSTANDING AND ASSESSING LABOUR PROGRESS 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 me to write about how to assess labour progress without vaginal examinations or palpating contractions.VAGINAL EXAMINATION
Posts about vaginal examination written by MidwifeThinking. Florence from the @theobspod has a reviewed my book on her latest podcastepisode.
BIG BABIES: THE RISK OF CARE PROVIDER FEAR RESEARCH (BIAS) AND MATERNITY CARE PERINEAL PROTECTORS? Updated: September 2019 Artwork by Dana Leggett: Most women will sustain some damage to their perineum during birth (AIHW 2018). Around 50% will have a tear or graze in the skin and/or vaginal wall GESTATIONAL DIABETES: BEYOND THE LABEL Summary. High BGLs in pregnancy alter the growth and development of the baby, increasing the chance of particular complications occurring. However, the label ‘gestational diabetes’ is problematic because it is poorly defined and there is a lack of evidence to demonstrate that labelling and treatment improves outcomes. THE CURSE OF MECONIUM STAINED LIQUOR 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 her chance of having a c-section or instrumental delivery (Alfirevic et al. 2013). Time limits for labour may betightened
FEEL THE FEAR AND BIRTH ANYWAY This is just a little post to ease me back into the blogging world (thesis finally submitted). As usual, the content is in response to a reoccurring issue and discussions with mothers and midwives. And I welcome your experiences and comments on this topic In a backlash against the medicalisation of birth women are beginning to PUSHING | MIDWIFETHINKING Updated: September 2019 Most women will sustain some damage to their perineum during birth (AIHW 2018). Around 50% will have a tear or graze in the skin and/or vaginal wall (1st / 2nd degree). NEWSLETTER | MIDWIFETHINKING You can sign up for a newsletter at this link. The newsletter is 3 monthly will include MidwifeThinking news: MWT report - what I've been up toNew publications Updated blog postsUp coming eventsBirth research and information I promise I won't spam you with marketing emails. INDUCTION: A STEP BY STEP GUIDE 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 done to them during induction and why. For example, one woman was told by herUMBILICAL CORD
Updated: January 2020 To get this blog going I decided to write about a slight obsession of mine: The fear of, and routine midwiferymanagement of
PERINEAL PROTECTORS? Updated: September 2019 Artwork by Dana Leggett: Most women will sustain some damage to their perineum during birth (AIHW 2018). Around 50% will have a tear or graze in the skin and/or vaginal wall IN CELEBRATION OF THE OP BABY It doesn’t really matter which way the baby’s head is when entering the brim – once her head is in the cavity she can rotate. The downward pressure of the contractions, and the tension and shape of the pelvic floor will guide her into a direct occipito anterior (OA) position and through the outlet. VBAC: MAKING A MOUNTAIN OUT OF A MOLEHILL 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 not going to add to this wealth of information. Others are doing afantastic job
THE EFFECTIVE LABOUR CONTRACTION Oxytocin is influenced by, and influences feelings and behaviour. There is a growing body of research exploring this aspect of oxytocin and it’s potential uses from treating autism to persuading us to buy products in shops. For real oxytocin nerds like myself, Moberg has written an entire book on how this hormone works. Michel Odent and Sarah Buckley are gurus when it comes to the function FEEL THE FEAR AND BIRTH ANYWAY This is just a little post to ease me back into the blogging world (thesis finally submitted). As usual, the content is in response to a reoccurring issue and discussions with mothers and midwives. And I welcome your experiences and comments on this topic In a backlash against the medicalisation of birth women are beginning to AN ACTIVELY MANAGED PLACENTAL BIRTH MIGHT BE THE BEST The birth of the placenta is my least favourite part of the birth process. I know I have 'issues' and I'm working on them. Hopefully writing this blog post will be therapeutic as well as informative. I am going to refrain from referring to the birth of the placenta as the 'third stage' of labourMIDWIFETHINKING
Dr Rachel Reed
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BIG BABIES: THE RISK OF CARE PROVIDER FEAR Posted on September 2, 2019by MidwifeThinking
Isla Miller (and cheeks) 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 babies (big babies run in families); and each baby a woman has usually weighs more than the last. Babies also continue to grow at the end of pregnancy (because placentas continue to nourish them rather than switch off) – so a baby will be bigger at 42 weeks than they were at 40 weeks. However, abnormal blood glucose levels (BGLs) – with uncontrolled gestational diabetes (GD) – can also cause a baby to grow big. Babies who are big because of high BGLs are a different shape to ‘normally’ large babies. In particular, their shoulders and chest are larger and fatter, and they are more likely to encounter complications at birth. Unfortunately, research into big babies usually combines the outcomes for GD babieswith non-GD babies.
ESTIMATING SIZE
The only way to accurately assess the weight of a baby is to weigh them after birth. Clinical assessment ie. palpating and measuring pregnant bumps is incorrect more than 50% of the time (Chauhan et al. 2005 ). Even the best available method – measuring the baby’s abdomen with an ultrasound – only predicts the weight of the baby within 15% of their actual weight (Rossi et al. 2013 ). Therefore, lots of women are being incorrectly told that their baby is ‘big’. A US study found that two out of three women were told their baby was ‘too big’ based on ultrasound (Cheng et al. 2015 ). In this study the average birth weight of the group of babies suspected of being big was 7lb 13oz – ie. not big at all. BIRTH COMPLICATIONS? Giving birth to a big baby is associated with an increased chance of particular outcomes – notice I am using the term ‘associated’not ’caused’
.
The main complication associated with big babies is SHOULDER DYSTOCIA. The incidence of shoulder dystocia increases with the size of the baby. For example, it occurs with around 1% of babies weighing less than 3.9kg (8lbs 8oz), compared to 5–9% of babies weighing between 3.9kg and 4.5kg (9lb 9oz) (Politi et al. 2010). Other less
likely complications associated with big babies are severe PERINEAL TEARING (0.6%) and POSTPARTUM HAEMORRHAGE (1.7%) (Weismann-Brenner etal. 2012 ). I have
previously written about how to reduce the chance of thesecomplications:
* Birthing big babies and minimising the chance of shoulder dystocia: shoulder dystocia: the real story and gestational diabetes: beyond the labour * Reducing the chance of tearing: perineal protectors * Reducing the chance of postpartum haemorrhage: an actively managed placental birth might be the best option for most womenCARE PROVIDER FEAR
However, research suggests that the complications associated with big babies may be due to interventions carried out when a baby is suspected to be big. Care providers are more likely to diagnose slow progress during labour and recommend a caesarean if they suspect the baby is big (Blackwell et al. 2009 ). Women who are told that they have a ‘big baby’, and are counselled about potential complications, are significantly more likely to choose a planned caesarean (Peleg et al. 2015 ). One study compared the outcomes of a group of women with suspected big babies with a group of women who unexpectedly gave birth to a big baby (Sedah-Mestechkin et al. 2008). Women who were
suspected of having a big baby were three times more likely to have an induction or caesarean, and were four times more likely to have complications such as severe perineal tearing and postpartum haemorrhage. In this study there were no differences in the incidence of shoulder dystocia between the two groups. Therefore, when a baby is suspected of being big, a woman has an increased chance of interventions during birth, and of experiencing complications caused by those interventions, even if the baby is notactually big.
> _THE PERCEPTION OF A BABY’S SIZE INFLUENCES OUTCOMES MORE THAN THE > ACTUAL SIZE OF THE BABY_INDUCTION?
A Cochrane Review
comparing induction of labour before 40 weeks for a suspected big baby with waiting for spontaneous labour, found that induction decreased the incidence of shoulder dystocia from 6.8% to 4.1%. However, the review also found an increased rate of perineal tearing in the induction group of 2.6% compared to 0.7% in the spontaneous labour group; and an increase in the treatment of jaundice for the baby (11% compared to 7%). The review also notes that _“antenatal estimates of fetal weight are often inaccurate so many women may be worried unnecessarily, and many inductions may not be needed.”_ There are a number of risks associated with inducing labour (see this postand this post
)
that need to be considered against the potential risks of of birthinga big baby.
NICE guidelines and World Health Organisation guidelines both state that induction of labour _should not_ be carried out simply because a baby is suspected of being big. Interestingly, Queensland Health induction guidelinesdo recommend
induction if a baby is estimated to be big via ultrasound. Yet the Queensland Health gestational diabetes guidelines state that _“estimation of fetal weight by clinical assessment or USS can have significant margins of error”_.SUMMARY
The estimation of a baby’s size via ultrasound is inaccurate. The complications associated with big babies may reflect care provider fear and practice. International guidelines do not recommend induction for a suspected big baby. Women need to be given this information before agreeing to an ultrasound scan aimed at estimating the size of their baby. Once the ‘big baby’ label is applied it cannot be removed and may alter the birth experience and outcome.Posted in birth ,
intervention ,
midwifery practice
, pregnancy
, uncategorized
| Tagged baby
, caesarean
, fear
, induction
, shoulder dystocia
, ultrasound
| 10 Comments
BIRTHING THE PLACENTA: WOMEN’S DECISIONS AND EXPERIENCES Posted on April 30, 2019by MidwifeThinking
We have just published new research findings. You can access the full journal article free here: BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth There has been a lot of research exploring the outcomes related to interventions during the birth of the placenta. I have included this research in previous blog posts: * An actively managed placental birth might be the best option formost women
* The Placenta: essential resuscitation equipment However, like most research into birth, women’s voices are missing (you can read about research bias in maternity care here).
This study is the first to specifically explore the birth of placenta from the perspective of women. A huge thank you to the women who shared their experiences for thisstudy.
OVERVIEW OF FINDINGS The quotes that illustrate these themes can be found in the journal article . I particularly like the descriptions of birthing the placenta! Here are a couple: _“The actual birth of the placenta was just weird, just because it was so soft. It felt like my insides were coming out but not in a painful way. I guess it’s like birthing a squid or something”_ _“Pushing it out felt like a big jelly, relief”_Posted in birth ,
midwifery practice
,
publications |
Tagged Australia , birth, midwifery
, placenta
, research
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NO WOMAN’S LAND: A STUDENT MIDWIFE’S CALL (GUEST POST) Posted on April 9, 2019by MidwifeThinking
Art work: “I am here for you” – Amanda Greavette http://amandagreavette.com 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 maternity care through fresh eyes. As midwives we need to nurture students and role model woman-centred care and strong advocacy. If we lose our midwifery students, we lose our next generation of midwives – Rachel This piece is not an evidence based article. There is no science or rationale, no Cochrane review, to be found in these words. Just honest thoughts on the student midwifery experience, an individual narrative and nothing more. Yet, I must believe that these thoughts stand for something. They mean something and are worth sharing. In the hope that one student midwife feels a little less alone or one midwife reflects on their practice with women and how they support students. As student midwives, we begin bright eyed and bushy tailed, with a passion for natural birth, for normal birth. We believe in the innate abilities of women, the knowing that_ she_ knows her body, her baby. That the woman is the expert and we trust in the seeming simplicity of this. Our university education aims to facilitate this passion, underpinned with feminist theory, enabling critical thinking, the use of evidence and the ability to learn how to apply clinical skill with heart and soul. Then, at some point, the on-the-ground practice begins. We set foot into the hospital. Here we fall into the deep chasm between theory and practice and experience the raw and visceral realities of the midwifery culture which exists at present. Where we thought we would be supporting women and the spectacular physiology of birth, we find the technocratic perspectives in full force. At every turn, in every space, be it antenatal, birth suite or postnatal, we view women being actively disempowered, intervened with and unsupported. Every damn day. The excuses are rampant – women are unhealthier today, women don’t want natural births, women don’t know or don’t care and yes, perhaps it may be called naive to step into this world thinking it was all to be experiences of babies being breathed out into warm water and then snuggled up into the loving arms of their new parents. But let’s stop blaming the women and take a hard look at maternity culture right now. To be explicit, student midwives are constantly bearing witness to the atrocities of birth in some hospitals today – poor information sharing, cultural practices rather than evidence based, disrespectful communication, women being held down in labour, being told off, lied to, having _care_ providers do all manner of procedures without true informed consent at different points in the process such as stretch and sweeps, vaginal examinations, episiotomies, the instigation of inductions without application of the research and the cascade of intervention which ensues…the list is too huge and exhaustive to mention. The crushing reality is that physiological birth is so far from the norm that it is somewhat unbelievable. The medicalisation of birth has hit an all-time high. Yet student midwives are called naïve. To have thought that the professional codes of conduct and the international definition of the midwife would be upheld and that amazingly, women would be treated with basic kindness and respect. This is not about pushing a natural birth agenda. This is a humanrights issue.
I have not yet become desensitised to what I see every time I walk into the hospital, to be _with woman_, with birth and that is a very challenging space to be in. The emotional work of being with women is immense and what we see and come to embody is that birth is now a battle ground, leaving bruised, battered and traumatised women in its wake, with many midwives the witness or the handmaids of the hospitalbirth machine.
As a student midwife, I thought that midwives love women and would be their advocates. That they would stand with women and acknowledge and support their inherent power. And yes, I cannot possibly speak for all midwives but my personal experience is that majority midwives are not speaking up for women and they are not speaking up for themselves. We understand that the paradigm is powerful and that you are overworked, run off your feet; you are burning out. Yet we can’t learn midwifery and the art of being with-woman if we don’t see it from you. We need to see your kindness, bravery and compassion with women, for yourself and with us. We need to see you standing up for women and bucking the dominate culture. We need to see you not playing nice anymore. No longer playing the good girl. Students can be clumsy and time consuming in our learning but ultimately _we want to be you_, we want to be midwives. We look to you to show us the way, to show us midwifery but most often we are bullied, unsupported, gossiped about, made to feel insignificant or downright hazed. Too often student midwives are voiceless, dwelling in the liminal space between woman and practitioner- we exist in no woman’s land, a nebulous other-world where we are not the layperson nor the practitioner. It is my solemn plea that you remember that student midwives are also women and please be with us too. Please remember why you got into midwifery in the first place and remember you were once like us. Midwives, we see you and we know that you are powerful, and can be the instruments of profound change for women right now. Simply by rising up together, joining as one and saying, _“No more, I will not participate in these practices, in this culture, a second longer!”_ For if enough midwives do this then itwould change.
Stand _with_ and _for_ women. All women. For in the end, we are all women and we are powerful together beyond measure. In the words of Lucy Pearce: _ “We do not need to wait for permission before we open our mouths. We do not need to wait for others to make space for us, we can take it. We do not need to read from others’ scripts or style ourselves in weak comparison. We do not need to look to another’s authority because we have our own. Down in our cores. We have waited so long for permission to know that it was our time, our turn on stage. That time is now. Our voices are being heard into being. They are needed.” _ Posted in guest post , midwifery practice, opinion
and thoughts
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WHY INDUCTION MATTERS: BOOK RELEASE Posted on October 5, 2018by MidwifeThinking
_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 for women who are trying to make decisions about induction, or who have already decided to have an induction. It is also a great resource for those who support women – midwives, doulas and obstetricians. The book includes a DECISION MAKING FRAMEWORK that can be worked through when considering whether induction is the right option for for you. It also includes a chapter on CREATING A BIRTH PLAN FOR A POSITIVE INDUCTION EXPERIENCE. A ‘panel of experts’ (women with experience of deciding about induction and/or having an induction), contributed to the development and content of the book. This allowed me to include women’s experiences throughout, alongside research and clinical guidelines. I am immensely grateful to these wonderful women for their words ofwisdom.
CHAPTERS
* MAKING DECISIONS ABOUT INDUCTION: an overview of decision-making and evaluating risk; and a decision-making framework for readers to work through – directing them to relevant sections of the book and posing questions to consider. * COMPLICATIONS OF PREGNANCY_:_ individual complications are discussed in relation to induction (eg. pre-eclampsia, growth restricted baby, diabetes, etc.). * VARIATIONS OF PREGNANCY_:_ individual variations are discussed in relation to induction (eg. post-dates, advanced maternal age, suspected big baby, etc.) * SPONTANEOUS LABOUR_:_ this short chapter provides the basis for discussing how induction differs to spontaneous labour in the nextchapters.
* MEDICAL INDUCTION: RIPENING OF THE CERVIX AND BREAKING THE WATERS_:_ an explanation of what happens during this phase of induction and what it feels like from the woman’s perspective. * MEDICAL INDUCTION: INDUCING CONTRACTIONS_:_ an explanation of what happens when syntocinon (pitocin) is used to create contractions and what it feels like from the woman’s perspective. * ALTERNATIVE METHODS OF INDUCTION: an A to Z overview of alternative methods of induction and their efficacy; and women’s experiences of these methods. * CREATING A BIRTH PLAN FOR A MEDICAL INDUCTION: this chapter is for women who are planning to have their labour induced. It includes a comprehensive list of options and things to consider, and includes tips and advice from women who have had inductions. MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE BOOK AND INDUCTIONINTERVIEWS
* POSITIVE BIRTH MOVEMENT – Why induction matters: an interviewwith Rachel Reed
* HONEST MUM – 10 decisions you can make about your induction byDr Reed
* PSYCHOLOGY TODAY – Why induction matters – to one in threepregnant women
* SPROGCAST PODCAST – Induction of labour * PRENATAL YOGA CENTER PODCAST – Induction with Dr Rachel ReedREVIEWS
LAMAZE INTERNATIONAL – Book review: Dr Rachel Reed’s ‘why induction matters’ _“Why Induction Matters_ might be a compact read (it’s only just over 150 pages, excluding the reference section), but it packs a punch and is full of the latest, evidence-based research related to induction of labor. It is a fantastic and worthwhile addition to any Lamaze educator’s reference library and an equally great book to recommend to your clients, students, or to have as part of yourlending library.”
– Tanya Strusberg, Lamaze International AUSTRALIAN MIDWIFERY NEWS – Why induction matters – book review “The essential guide that all pregnant women should read when considering induction of labour, and what all midwives and doctors should be giving to women when offering induction of labour… The author uses clear, easy-to-understand language, but goes into enough depth for midwives to learn something new as well. For each issue discussed… women’s stories in their own words are included at the end to bring the reader back to the human experience. The viewpoints are varied, including women who have had a positive, neutral and negative experience of the same issue. This provides a balanced, non-judgemental tone to the book… Every midwife who cares for women in the antenatal and intrapartum period should have this in his/her toolkit. It really is a great resource to share with women. It could facilitate a two-way conversation between a woman and her midwife, to empower her to come to an informed decision about whether or not to have their labourinduced.”
– Hilary Rorison, Australian Midwifery News MIDWIFETHINKING BLOG POSTS RELATED TO INDUCTION: * Induction of labour: balancing the risks * Induction: a step by step guide * Gestational diabetes: beyond the label * Pre-labour rupture of membranes: impatience and risk Posted in intervention, publications
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THE PERINEAL ‘BUNDLE’ AND MIDWIFERY Posted on May 9, 2018by MidwifeThinking
_Updated: July 2019_ 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 answer to _“what can we do about the bundle?”_THE OASI BUNDLE
Women’s Healthcare Australasia (WHA) is implementing a _“range of initiatives to support members to achieve the highest possible standards of maternity & newborn care, including benchmarking, networking, and collaborative improvement projects.”_ One of the initiatives is a WHA National Collaborative Improvement Project aimed at _“reducing by 20% the number of women harmed by a third or fourth degree tear by the end of 2018”_. This is much needed with rates of around 3-4% in some hospitals. The WHA state that: _“Teams from twenty six maternity services… are participating. Teams are receiving regular coaching and support to reliably implement a BUNDLE of evidence based practices known to reduce risk harm from tears.”_ Unfortunately, the WHA webpage does not describe what the ‘evidence based practices’ are. and the page specific to the bundle requires a log-in (not very transparent). A similar project is underway in the UK. However this post focuses on the Australian bundle. The bundle has been rolled out in hospitals across Australia and is significantly changing midwifery practice and the experience of birth. The bundle is not adequately supported by evidence and the WHA did not obtain ethical clearance for this experiment. Before we go any further it is important to note what ‘controllable’ factors are known increase the chance of OASI during birth according to research: hospital birth, particular positions (supine, lithotomy, squatting); directed pushing; syntocinon with multips; hands on for multips; and instrumental birth. See thisthis post
for more
information, discussion and references about particular interventions. None of those evidence-based factors are included in the OASI bundle. Dahlen et al. (2015) comment on why interventions that cause of OASI have been ignored: _“The cascade of intervention in hospital (induction of labour, epidural use, instrumental birth, episiotomy) as a probably cause of higher rates of is often not considered in the obstetric discourse around this issue. Perhaps philosophical frameworks and deeply held beliefs around women’s bodies and capacity carry a greater weight at the end of the day than does scientific evidence. Perhaps it is ultimately through this lens of ‘belief’ around women and birth that we select the evidence that fits most comfortably within our paradigmatic positioning.”_ I will address each of the 5 practices in the OASI bundle: 1: APPLY WARM PERINEAL COMPRESSES DURING THE SECOND STAGE OF LABOUR AT THE COMMENCEMENT OF PERINEAL STRETCHING (FOR ALL WOMEN).A Cochrane Review
= _“Moderate-quality evidence suggests that warm compresses, and massage, may reduce third- and fourth-degree tears but the impact of these techniques on other outcomes was unclear or inconsistent”_. It would be nice if it was worded a little differently ie. ‘offer all women…’ You can find more information about how to apply warm perineal compresses here.
Unfortunately, anecdotal reports suggest that women are being told to get into a semi supine position (which increases tearing) so that the midwives can apply the compress and ‘view’ the perineum. 2: WITH A SPONTANEOUS VAGINAL DELIVERY , USING GENTLE VERBAL GUIDANCE, TO ENCOURAGE A SLOW CONTROLLED BIRTH OF THE FETAL HEAD AND SHOULDERS: A) SUPPORT THE PERINEUM WITH THE DOMINANT HAND; B) APPLY COUNTER PRESSURE ON THE FETAL HEAD WITH THE NON-DOMINANT HAND; C) IF THE SHOULDERS DO NOT DELIVERY SPONTANEOUSLY, APPLY GENTLE TRACTION TO RELEASE THE ANTERIOR SHOULDER; D) ALLOW THE POSTERIOR SHOULDER TO BE RELEASED FOLLOWING THE CURVE OF CARUS. Slow birth does reduce the chance of tearing – supporting physiologyassists
with this. However, ‘hands on’ does not reduce tearing according to a Cochrane Review.(best
evidence). In addition, a recent study conducted in Australian hospitals found that ‘hands on’ made no difference for primips, and increased the chance of tearing for multips. The study concluded that: _“A hands poised/undirected approach could be utilised in strategies for the prevention of moderate and severe perineal injury.”_ The ‘hands on’ recommendation also contradicts Queensland Health Normal Birth Guidelines – which state that ‘hands on’ makes no difference to tearing and increases the chanceof an episiotomy.
Of course there are always situation in which ‘hands on’ is appropriate. You can see me using hands on at this birth. However, ‘hands
off’ ie. non-intervention should be default as per evidence and midwifery professional standards. 3: WHEN EPISIOTOMY IS INDICATED IT SHOULD BE PERFORMED: A) AT CROWNING OF THE FETAL HEAD; B) USING A MEDIO-LATERAL INCISION; C) AT A MINIMUM 60 DEGREE ANGLE FROM THE FOURCHETTE. NB. AN EPISIOTOMY IS INDICATED FOR ALL WOMEN REQUIRING A FORCEPS OR VACUUM ASSISTED DELIVERY HAVING THEIR FIRST VAGINAL BIRTH. An episiotomy wound is more painful and heals less well than a spontaneous tear. There is insufficient evidence to support claims that episiotomy reduces the chance of OASI. A mid-line episiotomy actually contributes to the risk of severe perineal trauma (Lappen &Gossett 2014 ).
Whereas a medio-lateral episiotomy cuts through more nerves and perineal structures than mid-line (Patel et al. 2018).
We are only just beginning to understand the complex anatomy of theclitoris – a
structure that is cut during 60 degree episiotomy. It is not surprising that a medio-lateral episiotomy is associated _“with a decreased sexual functioning as well as sexual desire, arousal and orgasm within postpartum five years”_ (Dogan et al. 2017 ). The rising rate of episiotomy – in part fuelled by this bundle – needs to be carefully reviewed in relation to long term outcomes for women. Unfortunately, in some hospital settings midwives are being told that the episiotomy rate is too low and education sessions have been implemented to ‘up-skill’ midwives in cutting women along with expensive new equipment to do the job. A study carried out in Denmark examining outcomes related to the implementation of a formal ‘hands on’ program concluded: _“we found that the episiotomy rate increased significantly after implementation of the formal preventionprograms.”_
In relation to instrumental birth… this is an obstetrician directed recommendation. I’m sure there are some OBs a bit miffed at being told to cut every woman during instrumental births rather than use their clinical judgement for individual women. I’ve worked with many OBs who are able to do a ventouse with an intact perineum. However, instrumental birth does increase the risk of OASI. It is interesting that there is no recommendation to avoid adherence to non-evidencebased timeframes
for ‘progress’ that result in unnecessary instrumental births and perineal tearing (WHO).
4: GENITO-ANAL EXAMINATION FOLLOWING BIRTH NEEDS TO: A) BE PERFORMED BY AN EXPERIENCED CLINICIAN; B) INCLUDE A PR EXAMINATION ON ALL WOMEN, INCLUDING THOSE WITH AN INTACT PERINEUM. Rectal examination has always been part of assessing a perineal tear, particularly a 2nd degree tear – to identify if it is a 3rd or 4th degree. If clinicians are missing 3rd / 4th degree tears then they need to be supported to improve their assessment of tears. The main issue with this recommendation is doing a rectal examination on a woman with an intact perineum. I have been unable to get any stats on the incidence of 3rd/4th degree tears with an intact vaginal wall. I have never seen this. I have heard rumours that it has happened. However, it must be extremely rare. Considering only around 1% of women having non-instrumental vaginal births have OASI – the proportion of those women who have a ‘hidden’ OASI must be less than 0.5%. The incidence of this rare situation needs to be shared with women who have an intact perineum so that they can make an informed decision to consent to a rectal examination. Anyone with the stats – please share them! A blog post by Jim Thornton (an OB) about this invasive intervention concludes: _“Routine rectal examination in the presence of an intact perineum fails all the criteria of a useful screening test. Most midwives wisely don’t do it. Those that do, should stop.”_ 5: ALL PERINEAL TRAUMA SHOULD BE: A) GRADED ACCORDING TO THE RCOG GRADING GUIDELINE; B) REVIEWED BY A SECOND EXPERIENCED CLINICIAN TO CONFIRM THE DIAGNOSIS AND GRADING.Yep.
MIDWIFERY PRACTICE
As midwives we are supposed to adhere to professional and legal standards. Our professional standards require us to be woman-centred, evidence-based and promote and support physiology (ICM;
NMBA
– Australia). The ICM position statement on the ‘appropriate use of intervention childbirth’ provides guidance about the use of intervention by midwives and states that: _“Women have the right to make informed decisions about the use or non-use of intervention”_ and _“urges midwives to only use or promote the use of intervention during childbirth when indicated.” _The law requires us to gain consent for any proposed intervention, consent involves providing adequate information.
The mother-midwife relationship requires that midwives share information with women and support their decisions. This is where midwives and students are struggling. Aspects of the bundle conflict with their professional responsibilities. So back to the initial question _“what can we do about the bundle”_. The recommendations that are causing the most upset are the ‘hands on’ approach for all births, and the rectal examination with an intact perineum. SUGGESTIONS RE. ‘HAND’S ON’ FOR ALL BIRTHS * We could just refuse to comply with ‘hands on’ based on our professional and legal requirements for evidence-based care. Our professional and legal standards trump any workplace directive or employee contract. If all midwives supported each other in this stance practice would change.and/or
* Ensure that women are given adequate information to consent to this intervention – preferably in the antenatal period so that their wishes can be clearly documented before labour. This information needs to include the fact that the intervention is not supported by evidence, and for multips it may increase the chance of them tearing. SUGGESTIONS RE. RECTAL EXAMINATION FOR INTACT PERINEUM * Demand the evidence to support this intervention ie. the incidence of 3rd / 4th degree tearing with an intact perineum. Without this wecannot…
* Ensure that women are given adequate information to consent. Including a statement along the lines of (after initial assessment of the perineum post birth): “Your perineum is intact and I can’t see any evidence of a tear. In rare circumstances (quantify here eg. 1: 1000) there is a tear in the rectum despite the perineum being intact. I can check your rectum for you if you’d like, or I can leave you to get on with x . What would you like me to do?” We could also use the bundle as an opportunity to get back to basics (woman-centred, evidence-based care) and reclaim midwifery as an autonomous profession (ICM).It
is about time that midwives said ‘enough’ to the bombardment of non-evidence based medicalisation of birth. Solidarity (with each other and women) and activism is long overdue in maternity care. BACKLASH TO THIS POST BY WHA Since the publication of this post – WHA have publicly challenged my critic of the bundle. Below is a record of this ‘debate’: MEDIA RELEASE FROM WHA (MAY 2018) In May WHA responded to this blog post with a public media release.
The media release later required a log-in (transparency is not on the agenda of WHA). Essentially the media release re-iterated the intention of WHA to improve outcomes. It did not provide any evidence for the bundle or address any of the issues I raised. It did state that financial penalties for hospital have been removed for 3rd and 4th degree tears. However, these penalties are being implemented – reinforcing the rise in episiotomies as there is no fine for cutting rates. I responded to WHA with the questions below, which remainunanswered:
* Which members of the expert panel had the final say regarding which interventions were included in the bundle? Were all of the experts in agreement about the final bundle? * Could WHA provide a statement from the consumers involved that they approved the _final_ bundle; and provide information about whether consumers withdrew from the working party (and what proportionwithdrew)?
* WHA state that they are _“happy to share any of the evidence reviewed by the expert panel in the development of the bundle”_ – Could you please share the evidence relating to a ‘hands on’ approach for all women during birth, and explain why this recommendation contradicts the QH Normal Birth guidelines. * Why were other evidence-based approaches that align with clinical guidelines not included in the bundle eg. spontaneous pushing, encouraging/discouraging particular birthing positions? * Will WHA monitor episiotomy rates during this intervention. Anecdotally midwives and students are reporting increased use of episiotomy during normal birth, particularly for primips. * Could WHA provide an estimated risk of a 3rd/4th degree tears WITH AN INTACT PERINEUM. It is the rectal examination with an intact perineum that is problematic re. informed consent. Readers – please email WHA (admin2017@wcha.asn.au) with your concerns and experiences relating to the bundle. It is important that WHA are made aware of how the bundle is impacting on the care of women in the clinical setting. UPDATE (DECEMBER 2018) WHA have made the media releaseabout
this post public again due to ‘ongoing interest’ (see comment below by Adele ? WHA). The comment also provides a link to a promotional video of various professionals marketing the bundle. A very different perspective to the one I am hearing from practitioners on the ‘shop floor’! Unfortunately WHA have still not answered the questions posed above. WHA also provide an update on progress (apologise they have made this page log-in only). The update is rather brief, and in places misleading, for example: * The compliance rate ie. practitioners carrying out the bundle = 17%: There is no critical analysis about why the compliance rate is so low. Is it because midwives and doctors are unhappy with the bundle and/or women are not consenting? * Since the time the bundle was introduced 3rd/4th degree tear ratesfell by 25%:
* This cannot be considered a causal relationship ie. that the bundle caused the reduced rate. It can barely be called an association considering the low compliance rate (see this post for more about research reporting bias).
* The initial rates of 3/4 degree tearing were 6.4% across instrumental and no-instrumental vaginal births. Therefore, a 25% reduction in this rate = 1.6% ie. a reduction from 6.4% to 4.8%. * The update declares a 30% reduction in 3/4 degree tearing for spontaneous vaginal births. Sounds great… but what were the initial rates for this group? The update only provides the combined rates of 6.4%. As instrumental birth significantly increases the chance of 3/4 degree tearing the rates for spontaneous birth would likely be much lower. Therefore 30% in real terms may be less than 1%. * Most importantly, there is NO DATA SHARED ABOUT THE EPISIOTOMY RATES post bundle implementation. Why? They most certainly will have collected this data. Anecdotally the rates are rising. Episiotomy is perineal damage and needs to be included in any evaluation of a bundle aimed at reducing perineal damage. * How will this data be published in a peer reviewed publication? In order to publish research in a journal you need to demonstrate you have obtained research ethical approval from a board. I can find no evidence that this project hasethical clearance.
FURTHER RESOURCES:
* Severe perineal trauma is rising, but let us not overreact – Dahlen et al. 2015 * Protecting Your Perineum – Birthful Podcast(Rachel Reed)
Posted in birth ,
intervention , law
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GESTATIONAL DIABETES: BEYOND THE LABEL Posted on March 20, 2018by MidwifeThinking
_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 hope this post meets your expectations! The post explores blood glucose levels (BGLs) in pregnancy, and attempts to make some sense of the fairly nonsense diagnosis and management of ‘gestational diabetes’ (GD). This post is not about Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes, and I am assuming you already know about the relationship between blood glucose (sugar) and insulin – if not do some googling. BLOOD GLUCOSE AND INSULIN IN A HEALTHY PREGNANCY Babies needs glucose to grow, and the demand for glucose increases as pregnancy progresses and the baby develops. From around 20 weeks, placental hormones cause insulin resistance in the mother’s cells. Insulin resistant cells are less able to convert glucose into energy, resulting in a peak of blood glucose after eating a meal which goes through the placenta to ‘feed’ the baby. In response to this peak, the woman’s pancreas increases the production of insulin to bring BGLs back down to a healthy pre-meal range. So, during pregnancy the woman’s body needs to bump up insulin production to counteract the effect of insulin resistant cells. Once the baby is born, the placental hormones stop entering the woman’s circulation and her insulin metabolism returns to her pre-pregnant state. HIGH BLOOD GLUCOSE IN PREGNANCY Some women’s bodies are unable to produce the additional insulin required during pregnancy. This results in high levels of glucose remaining in the blood instead of being converted into energy by insulin. The exact cause of this situation is not clear. However, pregnancy places additional demands on the body’s metabolism, and pre-existing health issues influence the ability of the body to meet these demands. High BGLs in pregnancy are associated with an increased chance of health problems during pregnancy (eg. pre-eclampsia) and later in life (eg. cardiovascular disease and Type 2 diabetes). Therefore, pregnancy may offer a glimpse into the general health of a woman, and her ability to meet physical challenges. Rather than causing ill health, abnormal BGLs may reflect underlying ill health. What is known is that high maternal BGLs influence the development of the baby. In early pregnancy (before 14 weeks) high BGLs are associated with an increased chance of miscarriage, congenital abnormality and subsequent stillbirth (Murphy et al. 2017 ). This is because the structural development of the major organs is taking place at this time, and any toxin, including excessive glucose can cause damage. However, _BGLs are only high in early pregnancy in poorly controlled, pre-existing diabetes_. In contrast, ‘pregnancy induced’ high BGLs do not occur until after 20 weeks when insulin resistance kicks in. By 20 weeks all of the baby’s major organs have formed, and the baby grows mostly in size rather than in complexity. Therefore, pregnancy induced high BGLs primarily effect the weight/shape of the baby. In response to maternal high BGLs passing through the placenta, the baby increases their own insulin production. This insulin converts the excess blood glucose into additional fat stores resulting in a heavier baby. This extra fat is concentrated around the baby’s upper body, in particular around the shoulders. Chunky shoulders increase the chance of shoulderdystocia
and perineal tearingduring
birth. Insulin can also delay the production of surfactant, which prepares the lungs for breathing. This can cause breathing issues at birth, particularly if the baby is born early (eg. by early induction or c-section – which are more common when GD is diagnosed). Once the baby is born, they no longer need to produce high insulin. However, adjusting and re-balancing insulin and BGLs can be a bit of a bumpy ride for the baby. The withdrawal of high BGLs is sudden (as soon as the placenta stops functioning); but it can take some hours before the baby’s insulin levels drop. During this time the high insulin can covert too much of the baby’s blood glucose into energy resulting in low BGLs (hypoglycaemia). The baby’s high insulin levels during pregnancy also increase their red blood cells. After birth the baby needs to break down and excrete these additional red blood cells. A by-product of breaking down red blood cells is bilirubin. If there is a lag between breaking down the red blood cells and excreting them out of the body, bilirubin builds up causing jaundice. Jaundice is common in babies who produced high insulin in the uterus. The effects of high BGLs and high insulin in utero may also cause long term epigenetic changes to the baby’s metabolism. These babies have an increased chance of developing obesity and Type 2 diabetes laterin life.
If you want a more in-depth explanation watch this movie: In summary high BGLs in pregnancy are not ideal, and can alter the growth and development of the baby. ‘GESTATIONAL DIABETES’ In an attempt to identify and manage women with high BGLs, the maternity system has defined a disease and created a label that clinical guidelines can be based around. When high BGLs are identified for the first time during a pregnancy it is referred to as ‘gestational diabetes’ (GD) or ‘gestational diabetes mellitus’ (GDM). Most cases of GD are pregnancy induced ie. caused by an inability to meet the additional insulin needs of pregnancy – as described above. Occasionally, Type 2 diabetes was already present but only identified in pregnancy. Either way – high BGLs will be termed GD until proven otherwise ie. after pregnancy when BGLs fail to return to normal in the case of undiagnosed Type 2. However, due to inconsistencies in who is tested, and how and what parameters are applied, there is a huge variation in whether an individual woman gets diagnosed and labelled with GD or not. For example, the incidence of GD varies globally from 2% to 26% depending on the definition used, the approach to screening, and the population of women tested.APPLYING THE LABEL
There are two main approaches to screening for GD – universal screening (every woman is offered a test) and risk factor-based (only women with an increased chance of developing GD are offered a test). There is no evidence to demonstrate that either approach improves outcomes for mothers and babies. A Cochrane Review concluded: _“There is not enough evidence to guide us on effects of screening for GDM based on different risk profiles or settings on outcomes for women and their babies… Low-quality evidence suggests universal screening compared with risk factor-based screening leads to more women being diagnosed with GDM.”__TYPES OF TESTING_
The_ Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT) _is offered between 24 and 28 weeks gestation, or earlier for women considered ‘at risk’ of GD. It is the standard recommended test for GD diagnosis in most clinical guidelines worldwide. It involves fasting overnight, then drinking a glucose solution, followed by a blood test to assess BGLs. The dose of glucose can vary from 50g, 75g to 100g; and the timing of the blood test varies from 1 hour, 2 hours or 3 hours afterwards. There is no evidence to support any of these variations, however most guidelines recommend 75g of glucose and a 2 hour blood test. The OGTT assesses how well a woman’s body responds to a huge bolus of glucose (and chemicals – read the label). The_ Glucose Challenge Test (GCT) _was previously recommended as a screening assessment (24-28 weeks) to determine which women went on the have the OGTT. The test involves drinking a 50g glucose solution and having a blood test 1 hour later. However, the test lacks both sensitivity and specificity and is no longer recommended (except inthe US).
The_ Glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c ) i_s only recommended for identifying pre-existing diabetes during the first trimester of pregnancy. The results of the blood test provide an indication of what the average BGLs have been over a 2-3 month period. This test cannot effectively identify pregnancy induced diabetes – only previously undiagnosed Type 2 diabetes. _Self testing_ is not recommended in any guidelines – however some women choose to do this rather than an OGTT. The woman tests herown
BGLs over a few days to get an idea about what her BGLs are doing when she is following her usual diet and lifestyle. _PARAMETERS OF NORMAL_ It is generally agreed that the normal range of blood glucose for non-pregnant people is 4.0 to 6.0 mmol/L (millimoles per litre) when fasting, and up to 7.8 mmol/L two hours after eating. Diagnosis of non-pregnant diabetes occurs when an OGTT identifies fasting BGLs ≥ 7 mmol/L or BGLs ≥ 11.1 two hours after 75g glucose. However, when it comes to pregnancy, definitions and parameters of normal are not so clear. Various organisations advocate differing diagnostic parameters, and Bonventura, Ernest & Dee (2015)describe a
number of them. However, I’ll stick to the most commonly used criteria initiated by the International Association of Diabetes and Pregnancy Study Group (IADPSG). In 2010 the IADPSG Consensus Panellowered the
threshold for GD diagnosis. This move was based on the findings of one study – the HAPO study. This was
an observational study looking at the risk of ‘adverse outcomes’ (see above) associated with 7 different categories of fasting BGLs; and with 1 hour and 2 hour BGLs after 75g glucose. The findings identified an association between fasting BGLs and the frequency of particular ‘adverse outcomes’ (see association vs causation inthis post
).
The study reported: _“frequencies in the lowest and highest __ categories, respectively, were 5.3% and 26.3% for birth weight above the 90th percentile, 13.3% and 27.9% for primary __ cesarean __section, 2.1% and 4.6% for clinical neonatal hypoglycemia __, and 3.7% and 32.4% for C-peptide level __ above the 90th percentile .” _The amount that the 1 hour and 2 hour BGLs went up also influenced the frequency of ‘adverse outcomes’ – although the associations for primary c-section and neonatal hyperglycaemia (low BGLs) were weak. The IADPSG Consensus Panelconcluded that:
_“because associations were continuous with no obvious thresholds at which risks increased… a consensus was required to translate these results into clinical practice.” _And so the new GD diagnostic threshold was created: OGTT RESULTS OF BGL ≥ 5.1 MMOL/L FASTING OR ≥ 8.5 MMOL/L TWO HOURS AFTER 75G GLUCOSE LOAD. These thresholds are based on the average BGL values that increased the odds of a big baby by 1.75 times. Whilst this threshold may reduce the rates of babies over 4kg, there is no evidence that it will reduce the rate of birth/newborn complications Bonventura, Ernest & Dee (2015).
WHO changed their
recommendations to align with IADPSG’s. WHO even state in the recommendation that the quality of evidence to support this new threshold is ‘_very low’_, and the strength of the recommendation is ‘_weak’_. This threshold results in up to 18% of pregnantwomen meeting
the criteria for GD (previously 5%). Kevat et al. (2014) raised a number of concerns about the impact of the lower threshold for Australian women – many of which can be applied to other populations. However, despite an initial wave of concern from care providers, consumers, maternity organisations and researchers – these new thresholds made it into clinical guidelines and practice worldwide. A recent Australian study examined the impact of introducing the new thresholds and found that: _“There was an increase in annual incidence of GDM of 74% without overall improvements in primary health outcomes. This incurred a net cost increase of AUD$560 093. Babies of women with GDM had lower rates of neonatal hypoglycaemia and special care nursery admissions after the change, suggesting a milder spectrum of disease.”_TREATING THE LABEL
Once a woman has been labelled with GD she is usually diverted into ‘GD-centred’ antenatal care. There is often stigma attached to having GD, and additional medical surveillance and restricted choices regarding birth setting. Management of GD centres on keeping the BGLs within a certain range via diet and exercise, and/or insulin medication. The issues around dietary recommendations are a whole other issue that I can’t fit into this blog post. Long story short – the usual GD recommendations involve a high carb (ie. sugar) diet. Alternatively, Lily Nichols has written a couple of great books about diet in pregnancy and for GD (see below in further resources). Although there are varying opinions about what BGLs should be maintained by women diagnosed with GD (Bonventura, Ernest & Dee (2015). In general
the fasting BGL target is around 5.0-5.5 mmol/l fasting and the 2 hour post meal BGL is 6.7-7.1 mmol/l (by capillary blood, ie. finger prick test). Not surprisingly, hypoglycaemia (low BGLs) is a common problem for women trying to keep their BGLs within this range.WHO summarised the
evidence into the effectiveness of GD treatment. The only outcome categorised as ‘high quality’ is that treatment for GD reduces the chance of having a baby 4kg+ (number needed to treat NNT = 11.4 to prevent 1 large baby). However, the evidence indicating a reduction in shoulder dystocia is of ‘low quality’ (NNT = 48.8 to prevent one shoulder dystocia). There is ‘moderate quality’ evidence that treatment reduces the chance of hypertension (NNT 18.1) and pre-eclampsia (NNT 21). For all other outcomes evidence was ‘moderate’ to ‘low’ quality. Bear in mind the research in the WHO summary was carried out before the new lower GD thresholds were introduced. A more recent Cochrane Reviewcompared
lifestyle interventions (diet and exercise) with ‘usual’ care or another intervention and found no difference in any outcomes except the size of the baby. LABOUR AND BIRTH CARE FOR WOMEN LABELLED GD The IADPSG Consensus Panelacknowledged that
the _“bias of caregivers toward expectation of adverse outcomes may increase morbidity due to increased intervention”_ for women diagnosed with GD. Women are often coerced into early induction of labour or even c-section because they have been diagnosed with GD. Bycoerced
,
I mean they are advised to have an intervention, rather than discussing the risks and benefits of various options, and their individual situation, then making their own decision. Large-scale research exploring birth outcomes for GD tends to focus on the label rather than on BGLs. This results in 3 groups of women being mixed into the research sample: * women with pre-existing diabetes only diagnosed in pregnancy * women diagnosed with GD who had high BGLs during pregnancy * women diagnosed with GD who maintained normal BGLs during pregnancy For this mixed up group of GD women a Cochrane Review concluded: _“There is insufficient evidence to clearly identify if there are differences in health outcomes for women with gestational diabetes and their babies when elective birth is undertaken compared to waiting for labour to start spontaneously or until 41 weeks’ gestation if all is well.”_ (the ’41 weeks’ is because induction at this gestation tends to be standard for all women). However, things look different when we consider women based on what their BGLs have been in pregnancy rather than their GD label. In this case there are 2 distinct groups: _1. WOMEN WITH NORMAL BGLS (AND A GD LABEL)_ These women do not have babies effected by high BGLs – because they didn’t have consistently high BGLs during pregnancy. Their babies are as likely to be over 4kg as women without GD. They should be cared for in the same way as women without a GD label because their ‘risk profile’ is the same. For this group of women induction is not supported by evidence or clinical guidelines. WHOrecommend
that induction of labour should not be offered for GD unless there is evidence of other abnormalities occurring, such as abnormal blood glucose levels. ACOG (US) state that “women with GDM with good glycemic control and no other complications are commonly managed expectantly until term.”Queensland Health
(Australia) recommend that if blood glucose is well managed, there is no indication for induction for gestational diabetes. Despite this clear guidance women, are often booked in for an early induction by their care provider based simply on their GD label. _2. WOMEN WITH ABNORMAL BGLS (AND A GD LABEL)_ This group of women are at increased chance of experiencing complications associated with high BGLs during pregnancy (see above). However, even for this group of women there is a lack of evidence to support induction. A paper by Berger and Melamed (2014)discusses the
research relating to the timing of birth for women with GD, including the risks of induction for women and babies with GD. Like the Cochrane review above, they found inadequate evidence to support induction of labour for women with GD and concluded that _“until such data are available, the clinician should consider the maternal, fetal and neonatal implications of induction of labour versus expectant management, involve the patient in the decision process and as usual follow the maxim of ‘‘first do no harm.’’_ The main concern regarding high BGLs in pregnancy is the size of thebaby
(see
above). This is often used as the reason for recommending induction. Babies with big shoulders are more likely to experience shoulderdystocia
. For
example, in non-GD pregnancies, shoulder dystocia occurs with around 1% of babies weighing less than 4kg compared to 5-9% of babies weighing over 4kg (Politi et al. 2010). These
figures may be higher for babies subjected to high BGL in pregnancy because of the distribution of their additional weight (ie. upper body and shoulders). However, increased shoulder dystocia rates may also be partially due to the interventions women with suspected big babies experience. For example, if a care provider suspects a ‘big baby’ the woman is more likely to experience interventions (syntocinon, c-section, instrumental birth, etc) and complications regardless of whether her baby is actually big (Sadeh-Mestechkin et al. 2008 ; Blackwell et al. 2009).
Not surprisingly, induction before 40 weeks does reduce the chance of shoulder dystocia. A baby will be smaller before 40 weeks than after 40 week, and therefore statistically less likely to get stuck. ACochrane Review
comparing induction of labour before 40 weeks for a suspected big baby with waiting for spontaneous labour, found that induction decreased the incidence of shoulder dystocia from 6.8% to 4.1%. However, they also found an increased rate of severe perineal tearing in the induction group of 2.6% vs 0.7% in the spontaneous labour group; and an increase in the treatment of jaundice for the baby (11% vs 7%). Both NICE guidelines and WHOguidelines
state
that _induction of labour should not be carried out simply because the baby is suspected of being big_. Which is interesting because both guidelines support induction in the case of GD with high BGLs where the only significant risk factor for birth is a suspected big baby. Women with high BGLs in pregnancy need to consider the risks of possible shoulder dystocia with the risks of induction (see Berger and Melamed 2014) and their own
individual situation and preferences. Many women with abnormal BGLs can and do have physiological births, however most follow care provider recommendations and have their labour induced. The following are some SUGGESTIONS for reducing/managing complications associated with birth for women who had high BGLs in pregnancy. Most of these suggestions can be applied to physiological labour or induced labour – although an induced labour is likely to result in a smaller baby. * Maximise the size of the pelvis – avoid positions that restrict the movement of pelvic bones (eg. don’t sit on the back of thepelvis)
* Maximise the ability of the baby to rotate – A mobile mother offers lots of opportunities for baby to move – water immersion is good for this. Resting space between contractions also allows the baby to move when the uterus is relaxed. If syntocinon is regulating contractions, make sure there is a good ‘resting space’ between the contractions (no more than 4 contractions in 10 mins). If the woman has an epidural her care providers / support people will need to assist her to move her pelvis (eg. pelvic rocking using the drawsheetor towel).
* BG management – if the woman is insulin dependent it may be necessary to check BGLs during labour. * Avoid interventions that cause wounds eg. c-section or episiotomy. High BGLs can interfere with healing and increase the chance ofinfections.
* Avoid any interventions that interfere with instinctive behaviouras
the woman pushes her baby out. If she has an epidural then avoiddirected pushing
until the baby’s head is on the perineum – and then keep it gentle with spaces in between for re-oxygenation of mother/baby and a chance for baby to rotate and move. Do not pull on the baby’s head immediately after it has birthed – this can wedge the shoulders into the pelvis before they have had a chance to rotate. If there is no change with the next contraction (no rotation or descent) – then suspect shoulder dystocia.
and manage accordingly. * After birth do not remove the baby from their mother – this will result in a stress response that will burn up the baby’s glycogen (glucose stores). These stores will be needed as the baby re-balances their metabolism. Any resuscitation should be done with mother and baby together. * Prolonged skin-to-skin with mother will stabilise the baby’s heart rate and temperature; reduce stress; and encourage early breastfeeding – all great for maintaining BGLs. * Ensure the baby feeds early and often. Colostrum provides a nutrient dense package of glucose to help the baby keep their BGLs within a normal range. Even a few drops can increase the baby’s BGLs significantly. Woman can express and store colostrum at the end of pregnancy to provide additional colostrum for the firsthours after birth.
* The baby may have their BGLs monitored as they adjust to the withdrawal of high maternal BGLs. Any monitoring and/or management can be done with mother and baby together. Separating mother and baby is detrimental for all kinds of reasons, including BGL stabilisation. * Observe the baby during the first week for jaundice. As discussed above, significant jaundice is fairly common for babies who produced high insulin during pregnancy. The baby may need light therapy to resolve their jaundice. How to reduce the chance of hypoglycaemia (low BGLs)SUMMARY
High BGLs in pregnancy alter the growth and development of the baby, increasing the chance of particular complications occurring. However, the label ‘gestational diabetes’ is problematic because it is poorly defined and there is a lack of evidence to demonstrate that labelling and treatment improves outcomes. Guidelines do not support induction of labour for GD unless BGLs are high. Inducing women before 40 weeks with high BGLs reduces the chance of a large baby and shoulder dystocia, but increases the chance of other complications. Labour and birth care for women with high BGLs should centre on minimising the chance of shoulder dystocia, and supporting the baby to regulate their own BGLs after birth. ADDITIONAL RESOURCES * Michel Odent on GD * Evidence Based Birth – Does GD always mean a big baby andinduction
* Read food for pregnancy – Lily Nichols (book) * Real food for gestational diabetes – Lily Nichols (book) Posted in baby , birth, intervention
, pregnancy
| 39 Comments
UNDERSTANDING AND ASSESSING LABOUR PROGRESS Posted on February 3, 2017by MidwifeThinking
_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 me to write about how to assess labour progress without vaginal examinations or palpating contractions. The elements required to assess labour progress are: * An understanding of physiology – knowing what is going on inside. * Facilitating and supporting (not disturbing) physiology. * Being focused on the woman and engaging all of your senses: sight, hearing, smell, touch and intuition to read the signs (this requires you to be quiet and receptive rather than busy and ‘doing’). * Ideally knowing the woman beforehand – this assists you to assess her individual behaviours and understand her experience better. * Accepting that any assessment can be inaccurate, and that individual women may not display the ‘usual’ signals of progress. The following is a general guide only. PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS POST IS ABOUT PHYSIOLOGICAL, UNDISTURBED BIRTH ie. does not apply to women who have altered physiology eg. induction, epidural, etc. Women who are being medically managed require medical assessment. I am using ‘childbirth as a rite of passage’
as a framework for understanding what is going on during the birth process. The physiology in this post is really an overview and does not delve deeply into the complex hormonal interplay during birth which includes the baby. If you want to know more please see the bibliography/reference list at the end of the post. GLOSSARY / OVERVIEW OF KEY PLAYERS: * Oxytocin (OT): love, bonding, reduction of stress; healing; uterinecontractions
* Beta-endorphins (BE): pain relief; activation of reward centres in brain, altered state of consciousness – ‘transcendence’ * Epinephrine and Norepinephrine (E-NE) aka adrenaline and noradrenaline : stress hormones (shorter-term activation) * Cortisol: stress hormone (longer-term activation) * Prolactin (PRL): mothering hormone; lactation * Eustress: beneficial / physiological stress as opposed topathological stress
SEPARATION
> “…the first phase of separation comprises symbolic behaviour > signifying the detachment of the individual or group either from an > earlier fixed point in the social structure or a set of cultural > conditions (a ‘state’).” – _Turner 1987, p. 5_ Painting by Amanda Greavette: http://amandagreavette.com The first phase of the childbirth rite of passage involves the mother separating from the outside world and focussing within. Towards the end of pregnancy women begin to focus inwards in preparation for the birth. Physical separation occurs particularly in early labour when the mother secludes herself in her birth space and seeks to minimise distractions (external stimulation). Ritual separation from society during pregnancy and birth is common throughout history, and acrosscultures.
PHYSIOLOGY (WHAT IS HAPPENING INSIDE) Levels of PRL, progesterone and BE rise during pregnancy reaching high levels at the beginning of labour. In addition the maternal stress response decreases. This supports feelings of calm, and a focus that is inwards and towards family. It appears that the baby initiates labourand
the mother’s body responds. OT levels rise and uterine contractions become stronger and noticeable to the mother (the uterus contracts during pregnancy before labour). Initially they can be irregular in length, strength and the time in-between. The cervix is softening and opening, and the baby may begin to rotate and settle into the pelvis. BE increases further in response to the pain of contractions. The excitement/anxiety/anticipation (eustress) of early labour increases the release of E-NE. The balance between inward focus (OT + BE) and alertness (E-NE) allows the woman to remain aware of her surroundings and keeps her neocortex active. This facilitates her ability to do what is needed to ‘separate’ eg. organise her other children, call her midwife, travel to hospital, etc. If her OT + BE / E-NE balance tips towards E-NE her contractions may stop altogether until the balance is restored. This mechanism enables women in early labour to stop contracting in response to danger in the same way as othermammals do.
It can take many hours or even days for this early labour phase to tip over into established labour. ASSESSMENT (WHAT YOU MIGHT SEE) * Eyes open between and during contractions. * Evidence of neocortex functioning – the ability to hold a conversation and answer questions and/or to engage with external activities eg. using her iphone to time contractions. * Excitement and anxiety. * She may be keen to get settled into her birth space (see this post).
* Contractions slow or stop in response to a journey to hospital or other stressful/distracting situations. * A bloody-mucousy show may occur as cervix opens. * Posture remains the same as in late pregnancy (pelvis still stable) ie. able to easily walk upright between contractions.LIMINALITY
> “The attributes of liminality or a liminal personae (“threshold > people”) are necessarily ambiguous, since this condition and these > persons elude or slip through the network of classifications that > normally locate states and positions in cultural space. Liminal > entities are neither here nor there; they are betwixt and between > the positions assigned and arrayed by law, custom, convention, and > ceremonial.” – _Turner 1969, p. 95_ Painting by Amanda Greavette: http://amandagreavette.com After the separation phase, a person undergoing a rite of passage enters the liminal phase (or transitional phase) where they are often said to ‘be in another place’ (Turner 1967, p. 98). The intense experience of labour requires mothers to ‘undo’ their usual state of consciousness, behaviours, and their connections to the external world. They often describe being ‘in their own world’, in an altered state of consciousness. This space is located within the labouring mother. As mothers progressively move more deeply into this internal world they shut out the external world further, maintaining and increasing separation. The physiological processes involved in birth create a naturally liminal state – the rhythmic contractions + birthing hormones. Both mother and baby are journeying in this ‘in-between’ world. During the liminal phase, Turner (1987, p. 5) suggests that a person is unstructured, at once both de-structured and pre-structured. Women in labour act in ways that reflect their unstructured nature. The extreme physical process of birth involves the body functioning in a way that is unlike the everyday functioning of the body. In addition, behaviours are often inconsistent with the ‘everyday’ cultural norms. For example, making ‘animalistic’ noises, as being naked in front of strangers, lying down in hospital corridors, etc. As the liminal phase peaks there is an undoing, dissolution and decomposition of self (Turner 1987). This point in labour is traditionally known as ‘transition’. PHYSIOLOGY (WHAT IS HAPPENING INSIDE) As OT increases contractions become stronger and more powerful. In response, cortisol and BE increase to very high levels to relieve pain and reduced stress. The natural BEs (opiates) help to create a trance-like state where the woman’s focus is within and she is drowsy and less aware of her surroundings. Her neocortical functioning is reduced and her limbic system (instincts) are heightened. Her labour is now established. The baby is rotating around and moving down through her pelvis. The Rhombus of Michaelismoves up and
backwards to increase capacity in the pelvic mid cavity and outlet. As the pelvis ‘opens up’ it becomes unstable – and the woman moves instinctively to accommodate the movement of her pelvis and baby. The waters may break as the cervix opens enough for the forewaters to bulge into thevagina.
As labour progresses and reaches it’s powerful ‘peak’ there is a surge of E-EN to counter-act some of the BE effects. This prepares the mother to be alert enough protect her baby immediately after birth. The body’s response may be the fetal ejection reflex resulting in very powerful contractions and a quick birth. However, for most women this surge of E-EN is experienced as ‘transition’ – a feeling of fear, overwhelm and general freak out.
Once the cervix is fully open there may be a lull in contractions as the uterus ‘reorganises’ itself around the baby as he/she moves down. As the baby descends further pressure is applied to nerves deep in the pelvis resulting in spontaneous pushing. Contractions become increasingly expulsive as soft tissue stretches increasing the release of OT. The pain generated from the perineal tissues stretching initiate instinctive behaviours that protect the perineum. PRL, OT
and E-EN levels increase further as the birth approaches ready to assist the initial bonding process. Once the baby’s head is born there is likely to be a pause allowing the baby time to rotate or change position to get the shoulders through the pelvis. The baby is usually born with the followingcontraction.
Once labour has established a strong pattern you would usually expect the baby to be born within 18 hours (depending on contraction pattern and the individual situation). ASSESSMENT (WHAT YOU MIGHT SEE) * Her contraction pattern becomes increasingly stronger (based on her response to them). Note that contractions may not necessarily becomecloser
,
but they will become increasingly powerful. There should be a shift in the pattern/power every 2 hours (as a general rule). * She will be in ‘her own world’ – she may have her eyes closed and doze off between contractions ie. look stoned. She may cover her eyes with a cloth or bury her head into something (eg. pillow). * She is less able to respond to questions or anything else that requires her neocortex to function. Her communication (if there is any) will be short and to the point eg. ‘water!’ rather than ‘Can you please pass me the water’. If you ask a question (best not to) it might take a while for her to answer and she will not speak during a contraction. * Her movements and sounds will be instinctive and rhythmical. She is likely to vocalise during contractions – often the same noise with each one, and/or make the same movements each time. * Her inhibitions reduce. It is during this phase that the previously shy woman rips all her clothes off and crawls about naked. * At this point the hormonal symphony is in full swing and it is very, very difficult to stop or slow contractions. A significant stress at this point may generate a fetal ejection reflex but it is unlikely to stop contractions. * As the baby moves downwards and her pelvis becomes less stable (opening), her posture will change. She will want to hold onto things (and people) when standing/walking. She will not be able to sit directly on her bottom. She will walk leaning slightly with a ‘waddle’ as the pelvis tips. * If she is in an upright/ forward leaning position, you may be able to see / feel the ‘opening of her back’ as the Rhombus ofMichaelis moves.
* A purple line
might be visible between the woman’s buttocks as the baby’s headdescends.
* During transition you may see fear as she reaches out for reassurance and support. However, some women do not, and instead feel this on the inside without their care provider being aware of it. * During transition E-EN can cause a dry mouth and she might suddenly be very thirsty. High levels can also cause vomiting as the stomach empties in the fight or flight response. * As the cervix opens to its full capacity you might see a bloody/mucous show and the waters break. * There may be a ‘rest and be thankful’ phase after transition where contractions slow and the woman rests as the baby descends intoher pelvis.
* She might mention pressure in her bottom, or that she need’s to poo. And you may see poo as the baby compresses the rectum andsqueezes it out.
* Contractions become expulsive and the pattern will change. Her noises and behaviour will also change. * If you are able to visualise her perineum (and you really don’t need to) you will see signs of the baby’s head descending through the vagina – gaping anus and vulva, flattened perineum, bulging bag of waters (if still intact), the baby’s hair/head, etc. * As the baby’s head stretches her perineal tissue she will hold back her pushes, gasp, scream, close her legs, and/or hold her baby’s head in – protecting her perineum.
* One the baby’s head is born you may see him/her rotate or wriggle then be born with the next contraction (there should be some movement or change with the next contraction).INCORPORATION
> “Undoing, dissolution, decomposition are accompanied by the > processes of growth, transformation, and the reformulation of old > elements in new patterns.”_ _– _Turner 1987, p. 9_ Painting by Amanda Greavette: http://amandagreavette.com In all rites of passage, the third phase involves re-assimilation or incorporation of the person back into society in their new state (van Gennep 1909/1960). The state of motherhood and personhood (for the baby) happens immediately following birth. However, the reintegration of mother and baby back into society occurs progressively. In some cultures women have extended periods of separation from society following birth before being reintegrated. However the transformative nature of birth is not limited to a change of status to ‘mother’. Turner (1987) also identified the power of the liminal phase as a process for inner growth and transformation. Mothers incorporate the birth experience into their sense of self, resulting in empowerment, and for some, healing. PHYSIOLOGY (WHAT IS HAPPENING INSIDE) At the moment of birth both mother and baby have high levels of BEs, OT and E-NE. Along with PRL, this combination provides the perfect recipe for mother-baby bonding and connection – BEs (pleasure, reward, dependency) + OT (love and bonding) + PRL (mothering behaviours) + E-NE (alertness). Skin-to-skin contact and mother-baby interactions enhance the production of OT and PRL priming the breasts for milk production. High BEs contribute to the euphoria that many women experience following birth. The placenta transfersthe baby’s blood
to the baby and the process of placental separation begins.
The baby instinctively seeks his/her mother (looking into her face) and crawls to the breast – feet stimulating the uterus to contract. Skin-to-skin contact regulates the baby’s temperature, breathing and heart-rate and provides a sense of safety reducing stress hormones produced at the end of labour. After birth E-NE declines quickly but cortisol declines slowly. Cortisol may promote PRLs effects on milk production (extreme stress levels inhibit milk production). ASSESSMENT (WHAT YOU MIGHT SEE) * Immediately following birth the mother may appear ‘stunned’ and there may be a moment (or 2) before she picks up her baby and brings him/her towards her. * Baby is alert and instinctively interacts with mother and seeks thebreast
* Mother and baby interact. * You may see a gush of blood as the placenta separates (more about placental birth here).
* After some time focussing on baby, the mother may begin to shift her focus back to the outside world; often beginning with her partner/family, then other birth support (including midwives etc), before moving on to those outside the room.CONCLUSION
The above information is not rocket science, and anyone who has spent time with women during physiological birth will already know it (even if using the technocratic approaches to assessment). I think it is time to own our (women’s) knowledge and start shifting the discourse of ‘stages of labour’ and cervical measurements. This means changing how we talk/write about labour with women, other care providers and students. REFERENCES / BIBLIOGRAPHY * Dixon, L, Skinner, J & Foureur, M 2013, ‘The emotional and hormonal pathways of labour and birth: integrating mind, body and behaviour’, New Zealand College of Midwives, vol. 48, pp. 15-23. * Sakala, C, Romano, AM & Buckley SJ 2016, ‘Hormonal physiology of childbearing, an essential framework for maternal-newborn nursing’, JOGNN: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0884217515000520 * Reed, R, Barnes, M & Rowe, J 2016 ‘Women’s experience of birth: childbirth as a rite of passage’ _International Journal of Childbirth_, vol. 6, no. 1, pp.46-56. * Reed, R, Rowe, J & Barnes, M 2016 ‘Midwifery practice during birth: ritual companionship’ _Women and Birth_, vol. 29, no. 3, pp.269-278.
* Turner, V 1967, _The forest of symbols: aspects of Ndembu ritual_, Cornell University, New York. * Turner, V 1969, _The ritual process: structure and anti-structure_, Transaction Publishers, Rutgers, New Jersey * Turner, V 1987, ‘Betwixt and between: the liminal period in rites of passage’, in LC, Mahdi, SF Foster, & M Little (eds), _Betwixt and between: patterns of masculine and feminine initiation_, Open Court Publishing Company, Illinois, pp.3-19.FURTHER RESOURCES
* How monkey mama does it– Kate Evans
* Hormonal physiology of childbearing (resources) – Transforming Maternity Care * Dr Sarah Buckley’s website* Womb Ecology –
Michel Odent
Posted in birth ,
midwifery practice
| Tagged
birth , contractions, labour pattern
, oxytocin
, pushing
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