The practising midwife
-
The practising midwife · Jun 2015
ReviewAchieving skin to skin contact in theatre for healthy newborns.
The evidence base is supportive of early skin to skin contact (SSC) for optimal newborn-physiological adaptation, bonding and breastfeeding, and national guidelines encourage SSC as soon as possible, regardless of mode of birth. With an ever-rising caesarean (CS) rate, implementing SSC in theatre stands to benefit an increasing number of mothers and babies. ⋯ Midwives may feel that they should focus on norma birth, but it is our role to provide holistic care and normalise birth in all settings. This article looks at current evidence and the role of the midwife around facilitating SSC in theatre with an example from practice of how change has been implemented so that mothers and babies get the best start in life.
-
The practising midwife · Jan 2015
ReviewThe rise of remifentanil and the decline of midwifery autonomy.
Since the 1980s epidural analgesia has been considered the gold standard for pain relief in labour. Over the past decade there has been a growing trend in UK maternity units to offer remifentanil PCA as a fast, safe alternative for women where epidural analgesia is contraindicated. ⋯ Whilst discussion around the use and effects of remifentanil is very well documented in anaesthetic journals, there is very little midwifery research around this subject. Following a review of the current evidence, this article will explore the use of remifentanil in labour, consequences for women and neonates and implications for midwifery practice.
-
The practising midwife · Sep 2013
ReviewUmbilical cord antiseptics for preventing sepsis and death among newborns.
The aim of this bi-monthly column is to highlight Cochrane Systematic Reviews of relevance to pregnancy and childbirth and to stimulate discussion on the relevance and implications of the review for practice. The Cochrane Collaboration is an international organisation that prepares and maintains high quality systematic reviews to help people make well-informed decisions about healthcare and health policy. ⋯ The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (CDSR) is published monthly online. Residents in countries with a national license to The Cochrane Library, including the UK and Ireland, can access the Cochrane Library online free of charge through www.thecochranelibrary.com
-
The practising midwife · Feb 2013
ReviewThe midwife's role in caring for the needs of bereaved parents following a stillbirth.
The unexpected loss of a baby can be both a devastating and traumatic experience for parents. Inadequate care and support can potentially lead to mental health problems such as complicated or traumatic grief. This article will review the midwife's role in providing more effective meaningful and supportive care for bereaved parents following a stillbirth. It will also highlight the educational needs of student midwives to ensure they are equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills to support bereaved parents.
-
The aim of this bi-monthly column is to highlight Cochrane Systematic Reviews of relevance to pregnancy and childbirth and to stimulate discussion on the relevance and implications of the review for practice. The Cochrane Collaboration is an international organisation that prepares and maintains high quality systematic reviews to help people make well informed decisions about health care and health policy. ⋯ The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (CDSR) is published monthly online. Residents in countries with a national license to The Cochrane Library, including the UK and Ireland, can access the Cochrane Library online free through www.thecochranelibrary.com.