In this first paper in a series of four papers on midwifery, we aimed to examine,
comprehensively and systematically, the contribution midwifery can make to the quality of …

Background The pain that women experience during labour is affected by multiple
physiological and psychosocial factors and its intensity can vary greatly. Most women in …

Background Most vaginal births are associated with trauma to the genital tract. The morbidity
associated with perineal trauma can be significant, especially when it comes to third‐and …

The use of water for various treatments (hydrotherapy) is probably as old as mankind.
Hydrotherapy is one of the basic methods of treatment widely used in the system of natural …

Background Many women would like to avoid pharmacological or invasive methods of pain
management in labour and this may contribute to the popularity of complementary methods …

Background Epidural analgesia is a central nerve block technique achieved by injection of a
local anaesthetic close to the nerves that transmit pain, and is widely used as a form of pain …

The pain of childbirth is arguably the most severe pain most women will endure in their
lifetimes. The pain of the early first stage of labor arises from dilation of the lower uterine …

Background Many women would like to avoid pharmacological or invasive methods of pain
management in labour, and this may contribute towards the popularity of complementary …

Background It is more common for women in both high‐and low‐income countries giving
birth in health facilities, to labour in bed. There is no evidence that this is associated with any …

Objective To review the evidence relating to obstetrical anal sphincter injuries (OASIS) with
respect to diagnosis, repair techniques and outcomes. To formulate recommendations as to …