Introducing myself and replying at the same time. My name is Shelly I am a
midwife in England and the mother of two boys. We are thinking of a move to
Aus and so joined this list as it came recomended. I am on a few lists in
the UK.
Sadly for the medics much of what midwives do is art and not science. We
often do not have scientific evidence to back what we do (or more to the
point don't do). The good thing is neither do they so turn the tables and
ask them to provide the evidence for what they are suggesting. Much routine
and ritual care is just that and not based on any sound evidence. A couple
of excellent UK authors to check out are Soo Downe and Sara Wickham. They
write on normality as a rule. In practce I do very few VE's and often have
to discuss this with colleagues and at supervision. If you watch women who
are labouring (without an epidural) they move in certain ways they say
certain things and there are external physical signs of progress. In the
notes I write these in and explain why at this point is will or will not be
following the 'guidelines'. In the UK they are generally guidelines and not
policies.
Shelly
----- Original Message -----
From: "Sally @ home" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au>
Sent: Wednesday, August 30, 2006 2:31 PM
Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] Vaginal examinations
Just to add to this...
There was an extremely heated discussion at a meeting with docs and
midwives where I work about how doing a VE is the only way to ascertain
progress in the normal labour of uncompromised healthy women. The midwives
now have to come up with evidence showing that doing a VE within 1- 4
hours of admission to hospital (then 4-6 hourly thereafter) is not
necessary as we are able to assess progress in different ways (all of
which have been poo-pooed by the medicos)...so...am needing the help of
all you wonderfully wise women out there.
Thanks in advance.
Sally
----- Original Message -----
From: "Sally @ home" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au>
Sent: Tuesday, August 29, 2006 10:30 PM
Subject: [ozmidwifery] Vaginal examinations
Was wondering what guidelines others worked with regarding when to do
vaginal examinations...specifically in the hospital setting. And what
evidence they base their practice on.
Thanks in advance.
Sally
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