Dr Sara Wickham looks at the issue of covert retention in the hours after birth and asks whether evidence really does support routine urine measurement.
The importance of illumination – the case of covert retention
Perineal care bundles: clinicians’ concerns
Perineal care bundles are a hot topic right now. The past few weeks have seen the publication of two papers relating to the OASI (or obstetric anal sphincter injury) care bundle that has been under trial in the UK. This…
The Sara Wickham Etsy shop has been restocked!
The Sara Wickham Etsy shop has been restocked, and will be open for you to buy holiday gifts – or maybe something for yourself – between now and the end of the year! In the autumn of 2019, Chris and…
Top ten technologies that have improved the lives of women and midwives
Dr Sara Wickham shares the top ten technologies that have improved the lives of women and midwives, voted for by midwifery and medical colleages.
Gathering in the Knowledge – November dates now out!
Gathering in the Knowledge: an annual update online course for midwives and birth folk. Bite-sized, guilt-free, interactive and bang-up-to-date.
Ten ways I can help midwifery students
Sara Wickham offers a variety of resources for student midwives and others studying birth-related areas.
Black women are five times more likely to die in childbirth, so what can we do?
Black women are five times more likely to die in childbirth than white women. The increased attention that has been given to the Black Lives Matter movement in 2020 has caused more people than ever to make tiles black and…
Holiday time, and a self-care reminder
Normality and Goalposts
Dr Sara Wickham discusses questions relating to normality. And goalposts. What can we learn from studies about urine output and new mothers’ sleep?
Explaining the induction postcode lottery
Dr Sara Wickham looks at research which explains the “induction postcode lottery” and shows how there’s not always good evidence behind the recommendation.
On wellness
It’s really important to ask what went well, says Dr Sara Wickham. And to consider wellness and other touchstones that are a cornerstone of good practice.
Sara Wickham’s Inducing Labour book: look inside!
Look inside Sara Wickham’s Inducing Labour book! See full contents list and read the first few pages of this bestselling book.
Gestational diabetes
Dr Sara Wickham looks at research into gestational diabetes. This affects many women, but it’s not clear that current diagnosis and treatment is beneficial.
COVID-19 and birth: mums and babies should stay together
Two recent studies have confirmed the value of vaginal birth, breastfeeding and mother-baby contact, even when a woman has confirmed COVID-19.
The Language of Birth: Resources
Language is important, and many people have highlighted issues relating to language and birth. This page offers signposts to resources, articles and blog posts available on our website on this topic. It’s our latest information hub, and you can find…
How to share content so everyone benefits…
How to share content so that everyone benefits? Dr Sara Wickham offers some suggestions and tips to help you stay generous, friendly and legal.
Transvaginal examination – the need for care
Dr Sara Wickham looks at some of the information women need in order to make an informed decision about transvaginal ultrasound examination.
Five things parents should know if they decide to decline vitamin K for their baby
What information should we offer when parents decide to decline vitamin K? Sara Wickham offers an overview and an infographic.
The induction decision: what do women want?
What do women want when it comes to the induction decision? Dr Sara Wickham investigates research which shows that it’s more complex than we might think.
Four vitamin K myths – and the truth
Dr Sara Wickham shares and unpacks four commonly-seen vitamin K myths, explaining why some information sources have got it wrong.
Seven things every parent needs to know about vitamin K
Dr Sara Wickham, author of Vitamin K and the Newborn, shares information about vitamin K. Seven things every parent needs to know before making a decision.
How to cancel a labour induction?
Dr Sara Wickham discusses how to cancel labour induction. And where to get more information if you need it before making your decision.
Gathering in the Knowledge – a midwife’s review!
Gathering in the Knowledge – review by Lynn Genevieve, a midwife who attended Sara Wickham’s online course and shared her thoughts in Midwifery Matters.
Birth trauma research – what can we learn?
Sara Wickham looks at birth trauma research which highlights the experiences of women and shows how important it is that we look at this area more closely.
A Tribute to Tricia’s Lab Cats
Sara Wickham dedicates a poem to Tricia Anderson and their shared love of writing about birth and cats.
Vitamin K and tongue tie division
What happens when parents want a tongue tie division but the baby hasn’t had vitamin K? Can professionals decline to do this? What are the issues?
Evidence comes in many forms
Dr Sara Wickham discusses how evidence comes in many forms. The issue is not which type is most valuable, but whether the method fits the question.
Curiosity and the Caul
Sara Wickham describes a caul birth where the intact membranes may have protected the baby. What wisdom is there in the ‘safety labour’?
Reclaiming the Art in Birth
Sara Wickham discusses art, craft, birth and knitting, revisiting a topic she first wrote about twenty years ago whose content is still as relevant today.
Academic Tips
Our latest information hub gathers together classic articles and blog posts written for and about midwives and midwifery practice by Dr Sara Wickham.
Self-care: caring for ourselves…
Self-care is vital. Sara Wickham offers a bit of background and a long list of ideas for those who need to focus more on themselves.
Happy Birthday Birth Information Update!
Happy birthday to Sara Wickham’s Birth Information Update … and here’s the story of how it happened and how it continues…
Midwifery Practice Wisdom and Reflection
Our latest information hub gathers together classic articles and blog posts written for and about midwives and midwifery practice by Dr Sara Wickham.
Bad science and the limitations of choice
Dr Sara Wickham discusses ‘bad science’ and the papers which purport to show that birth is risky. But is risk being used as a means to control?
Sara Wickham’s books are now available on Kobo!
Sara Wickham’s most recent books are now available in electronic form on Kobo, as well as in paperback and on Kindle.
Why are some women dissatisfied after induction of labour?
Dr Sara Wickham looks at new research. Why are some women dissatisfied after induction of labour? What aspects do they dislike?
Membrane sweeping for induction of labour
Sara Wickham looks at the latest edition of the Cochrane review on membrane sweeping for induction of labour. What are the key points?
Seven tips for finding old copies of guidelines
Sara Wickham explains how to find old copies of guidelines, such as those put out by professional or governmental bodies.
Eight things I’d like to share with midwifery students who care…
Sara Wickham offers some words of support and advice for the student midwife – aspiring, new or experienced – to take on their journey.
The keyword is protection
Michel Odent discusses the basic needs of a woman in labour, and why the keyword is protection.
Twenty birthkit essentials
Sara Wickham unpacks the birthkit essentials carried by midwifery colleagues and shares some great tips of things you might want to have at a birth.
New research on upright breech birth
Sara Wickham looks at new research on upright breech birth, which offers practical insight into how this is facilitated and what we can learn from this.
The self care club
Sara Wickham offers a regular reminder about the value of self care and invites you to consider what you need for the coming month.
Home fetal dopplers “strongly discouraged”
Government and professional bodies in the UK have publicly advised against the use of fetal dopplers by parents in the home. Dr Sara Wickham explains.
Introducing our information hubs!
Sara Wickham shares details of our new information hubs – pages that summarise and link to all of our articles and blog posts on key topics.
What is a stretch and sweep?
Many women are offered a ‘stretch and sweep’ in late pregnancy. But what is this, why and how is it done, does it work and can you say no?
Three things I wish every woman knew about pregnancy and birth knowledge
Sara Wickham shares her thoughts on birth knowledge, women’s wisdom and what she wishes she could tell everyone about these topics…
Birthing your baby
Sara Wickham reviews the updated (2019) version of Birthing your baby, by Dr Nadine Edwards.
Screening: what are we missing?
Does the use of modern screening technology come with downsides? Sara Wickham argues that it does, both in life and birth.
Induction of labour at or before 42 weeks of pregnancy: new evidence
Sara Wickham looks at Danish research which compared induction of labout at 42 weeks with induction of labour at 41+3 weeks, with interesting results.
Happy Holidays!
Happy Holidays from Sara Wickham. Here’s wishing you a fabulous festive season, and we’ll see you next year!
Cerridwyn and the Pixies: A Holiday Fairytale
Sara Wickham tells a holiday story of research pixies who learn why some types of research are (inappropriately) valued more than others.
Five tips for seasonal self-care
Sara Wickham offers tips on holiday self-care and an invitation to think about how you’re going to care for yourself over the festive season.
The Poo Taboo
Sara Wickham presents the results of a conversation amonst women who are also midwives on the topic of poo in labour.
The importance of practising from the heart…
Sara Wickham considers the concept of heart-centredness and discusses this in relation to birth and the maternity services. Why is this not valued?
Informed is Best
Dr Sara Wickham reviews – and loves – Informed is Best: How to spot fake news about your pregnancy, birth and baby, by professor Amy Brown.
Induction of labour and avoidable harm
Sara Wickham shares research which highlights the issue of induction of labour and avoidable harm, showing us that there’s another side to the story…
The folly of fully dilated
There are a few myths about the idea that women need to be fully dilated to give birth, and that this means the same thing for every woman.
A big GBS thank you!
Six months after the publication of the updated version of Group B Strep Explained, Sara Wickham offers a thank you to all who helped.
Stepping Stones and Cervical Wisdom
What is cervical wisdom, why is it important, and why have many midwifery and medical textbooks got it so wrong? Sara Wickham explains.