Which first-time mums are more at risk of caesarean? There is growing concern about the number of unnecessary caesareans, and the rate of these is especially high in first-time mums. That concern is the reason behind doing the research that…
What are the best questions to ask if you’re offered induction of labour? This is something I get asked a lot. So I have put together this guide to the five best questions that you can ask in order to…
Risk assessment is an integral part of midwifery and medical practice and yet also something we need to think about more. A few years ago, I spent some time reflecting on the issues raised by revised guidelines on venous thromboembolism…
A study was published in the European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology entitled ‘Associations between consumption of coffee and caffeinated soft drinks and late stillbirth—Findings from the Midland and North of England stillbirth case-control study’. The media…
New research has added to our knowledge about delaying cord clamping. We know now that it is safe to wait 6 minutes after birth, even when an oxytocic drug is given to assist with the birth of the placenta. Waiting,…
The Sara Wickham Etsy shop is open for just one weekend, so it’s time to go shopping and help support our work! We recently mentioned that we’ve made some changes to the way we’re working. One of them is that…
What are the benefits of water for birth? Sara Wickham looks at two studies highlighting the advantages of this for women and babies.
Warning: this blog post may contain tigers. As someone who lives with a serious food allergy, I have noticed some interesting changes in the information given on product labels over time. Over the years, I have thoroughly enjoyed the proliferation…
Our latest information hub gathers together classic articles and blog posts written for and about midwives and midwifery practice by Dr Sara Wickham.
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.
Are there good reasons to induce labour? That’s a question often posted when I talk or write about labour induction. It’s an understandable question. I have spent more than twenty years writing about how induction isn’t always beneficial. I’ve often…
How are trends in induction of labour changing? And has the publication of the controversial ARRIVE Trial affected this? Two recent studies have added to our knowledge about the effects of changing guidelines and narratives on trends in induction of…
Happy birthday to Sara Wickham’s Birth Information Update … and here’s the story of how it happened and how it continues…
Which induction book should I read? I’m the author of two books about induction of labour. Inducing Labour: making informed decisions has been popular for nearly twenty years. I frequently update it with new information, so as long as you…
Labour progress resources available on Sara Wickham’s website. Everything from research challenging norms to the purple line!
Is there any evidence of benefit for induction for gestational diabetes? That’s a question I hear a lot. Women who have been told that they have gestational diabetes are often also offered early induction of labour. But is there any…
As a midwife, the labour plateau is a phenomenon with which I am very familiar. I have attended mostly physiological births, and it is common to see labour slowing, pausing or even stalling. There are – to put it in…
I have long been interested in the links between knitting and birth. I have a childhood memory of a midwife once casting off my knitting for me when my mum was busy. A simple act of kindness which cemented my…
Sara Wickham offers some words of support and advice for the student midwife – aspiring, new or experienced – to take on their journey.
Sara Wickham and Jean Sutton describe the Rhombus of Michaelis, an area of bone which plays an important role in labour and birth.
What time are babies most likely to be born? As a home birth midwife, I’m well aware that a good many babies like to be born in the deep of the night. They will often wait until everyone has gone…
This page lists all the resources available from Dr Sara Wickham on the topics of post-term pregnancy and induction of labour.
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?
Another survey has identified a continuing problem with women not being able to get clear information about induction of labour (PIF 2021). This study was conducted by the Patient Information Forum in collaboration with a number of birth charities. It…
Happy Holidays from Sara Wickham. Here’s wishing you a fabulous festive season, and we’ll see you next year!
I’m back in The Midwives’ Cauldron! One morning last week, I got up very early and met up online with Katie James and Dr Rachel Reed, creators of The Midwives’ Cauldron podcast. We chatted about the induction epidemic, the updated…
In Your Own Time – now available, and on the bestseller list! In Your Own Time: how western medicine controls the start of labour and why this needs to stop is Dr Sara Wickham’s newest book. It has been written…
I didn’t intend to write another book in 2021. But then the draft NICE guideline on induction of labour was released and, like many people, I was deeply concerned. The evidence on which the guidance was based was questionable, and…
Today saw the publication of the 2021 NICE guideline on inducing labour. The guideline “…concerns the circumstances, methods and monitoring for inducing labour in pregnant women.” (NICE 2021). The draft version of the guideline caused a lot of controversy when it…
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.
This post offers links to all of the group B strep resources on Sara Wickham’s website, including articles, blog posts and a few external resources.
Does antenatal anti-D help the current baby? Sara Wickham demystifies the science and answers this question in simple terms.
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.
The first Cochrane review of the research relating to the administration of Anti-D during pregnancy was undertaken in 1996. Nearly twenty years later, September 2015 saw the publication of the latest update. During that time, however, the only changes were…
Gathering in the Knowledge: an annual update online course for midwives and birth folk. Bite-sized, guilt-free, interactive and bang-up-to-date.
Sara Wickham offers a variety of resources for student midwives and others studying birth-related areas.
Over the years, I’ve become aware that there are a few things that people are sometimes surprised to learn when I speak about Anti-D. I made sure to include all of these and loads more when I wrote my book Anti-D…
Another study has confirmed that induction is associated with more interventions and adverse outcomes. That was the finding of a group of researchers who, “compared intrapartum interventions and outcomes for mothers, neonates and children up to 16 years, for induction…
May 2021 saw the publication of a draft NICE guideline on inducing labour. NICE stands for the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. It is the body that provides national guidance and advice to inform health and social care…
How many women receive unnecessary anti-D? Sara Wickham looks at some of the issues concerning antenatal anti-D and fetal blood testing.
Many people visit this website looking for Anti-D information. Anti-D is the name of a medicine offered to rhesus negative women who may have been exposed to rhesus positive blood. It’s known as RhoGAM® in the USA. Anti-D is given…
Sara Wickham is in The Midwives’ Cauldron! We’re delighted to tell you that Dr Sara Wickham recently met up online with Katie James and Dr Rachel Reed, creators of The Midwives’ Cauldron podcast. They chatted about Instagram, orangutans, Sara’s new…
Anti-D Explained – now available! Anti-D Explained is Dr Sara Wickham’s newest book. It has been written to help parents and professionals to understand the science, the issues and the evidence relating to Anti-D. It has a foreword written by Michel Odent.…
This post offers links to all of the group B strep resources on Sara Wickham’s website, including articles, blog posts and a few external resources.
Our home birth information hub – the latest research on the safety of home birth and links to many of Dr Sara Wickham’s articles and blog posts on this.
Over the years, I have shared a number of studies showing that induction increases the chance of caesarean. A 2021 study has again reinforced our knowledge in this area. In real world settings – and I’ll explain what that means…
If there were a Nobel prize for birth activism, then Beverley Beech would surely have been given one by now. Formerly Honorary Chair of AIMS, still a legendary campaigner, brilliant speaker and supporter of women’s rights in pregnancy and birth,…
Do we really need to hold newborn babies at the level of the placenta so that gravity can assist transfusion? No, according to new research.
Sara Wickham explains why advice given by the emergency services to use shoelaces to tie the cord at birth is incorrect and dangerous
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.
Dr Sara Wickham discusses how to cancel labour induction. And where to get more information if you need it before making your decision.
Articles and resources relating to vitamin K for newborn babies. By Sara Wickham, a midwife, researcher and author who has written extensively on this.
How to share content so that everyone benefits? Dr Sara Wickham offers some suggestions and tips to help you stay generous, friendly and legal.
Sara Wickham shares ‘vitamin K stories’; the tales and context behind the evidence and knowledge that we have in relation to vitamin K for newborn babies.
We have heard much over the past few years about the risks posed to women with higher BMI than average. It’s clear, however, that this focus is problematic in a number of ways. The evidence isn’t clear cut. There is…
What information should we offer when parents decide to decline vitamin K? Sara Wickham offers an overview and an infographic.
Home birth after caesarean (or HBAC) is an increasingly popular option. Women and families know that they will be less subject to monitoring and interference at home. It is thought by some that this may lead to a higher chance…
How do midwives support women in bureaucratic health care systems? The past few years have seen some less than accurate depictions of midwives and midwifery practice so I was heartened to see the publication of a study that I chose…
Dr Sara Wickham offers six tips for managing your research project. What to keep, what to do with it, and how often to remove the cat from your in-basket…
