RE: [ozmidwifery] Birth stools and PPH

[McAlpine, Joan (AHS)]

Hi Tracey,   I did a PPH audit in the FBC at The Mercy (Melbourne) in 2002/3/4.  I did find that there was an increased risk of PPH with the birth stool.  I can't remember the actual figure (small) but I would have loved to have developed the audit into length of labour, the type of woman you put on a birth stool (one who is having trouble pushing) and effectiveness of their contractions in the first place.  Does all this lead to a potential for PPH, or is it gravity driven or just so much easier to measure the blood loss?  Does anyone need a research question? My recommendation at the time was to remove the woman off the birth stool as soon as the baby was birthed and onto the floor  and look at the other factors, eg long first and/or second stage and perhaps the need for active management of third stage. I generally think the people who don't like birth stools probably don't/ or are not familiar with being on the floor, using mirrors and torches and hands off technique.  Hope this has helped.   Joan (no longer at The Mercy) -----Original Message----- From: Tracy Donegan [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Friday, 30 December 2005 05:51 To: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au Subject: [ozmidwifery] Birth stools and PPH Greetings and New Year wishes from chilly Ireland.   Has anyone heard of other studies on birth stools increasing the risk of PPH other than the Nikodem study 1995.  I have an OB in Ireland who refuses to 'allow' mothers use a birth stool....(other reasons include...because he can't see what's going on ......which I would assume is the real reason he dislikes them ;-\    Thanks   Tracy   http://www.DoulaIreland.com       THIS E-MAIL IS CONFIDENTIAL. If you have received this e-mail in error, please notify us by return e-mail and delete the document. If you are not the intended recipient you are hereby notified that any disclosure, copying, distribution or taking any action in reliance on the contents of this information is strictly prohibited and may be unlawful. Eastern Health is not liable for the proper and complete transmission of the information contained in this communication or for any delay in its receipt.