What are the key phases in normal childbirth?

Most births in the UK take place in obstetric led hospital units where midwives are expected to care for women with both high and low risk births. The department of health (DOH, 2005) identified that 20% of labours were induced; the caesarean section rate was 23% and 30% of women had epidural or spinal anaesthesia.

Supporting normal birth in obstetric units can be problematic as midwifery care is influenced by recognisable medical parameters, labour ward practices and the environment of this setting. However, midwives need to promote improved childbirth experiences for women. In order to achieve this, Midwives need to feel confident in the practices that facilitate normal birth.

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Ensure that you have the most up to date information at your fingertips with BJM's Normal Birth supplement.

These are just a few of the issues addressed in this supplement published by BJM:

• What are the reasons for using a pool in labour? Why might women choose to get out of the pool?
• How should women in the latent phase of labour be managed to ensure a normal birth experience?
• What are the implications of ill management during the latent phase of labour?
• What are the benefits and hazards of the different approaches of third stage management?
• How does active management compare to physiological management?
• How many low risk women need transferring to an obstetric-led unit during childbirth? Is the rate higher for first-time mothers?
• How often do midwives use complementary and alternative therapies during pregnancy, childbirth and the postpartum? How many of them have adequate training?

Do not miss out on this exclusive Normal Birth Supplement brought to you by British Journal of Midwifery, the leading clinical journal for midwives. Published each month, the journal is written by midwives for midwives and peer reviewed by some of the foremost authorities in the profession.

BJM contains the best clinical reviews, original research and evidence-based articles available, and ensures that midwives are kept fully up-to-date with the latest developments taking place in clinical practice.