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.
The folly of fully dilated
Category: Articles
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.
Holistic therapies: proof and plausibility
Why it isn’t justifiable to ban complementary therapies from use in the NHS, and why women and clinicians are concerned about this.
Tips for physiological birth of the placenta
Sara Wickham shares tips for physiological birth of the placenta which emerged from a discussion held with a circle of midwives.
The problem of product propaganda
Sara Wickham looks at the problem of product propaganda, seen where companies are using sales messages that undermine parents’ confidence in their ability.
Pondering the post-birth tea break
Sara Wickham explores the uniquely British ritual of having a cup of tea after birth, with the help of midwives and women who share their thoughts on this.
Fixed point due dates and wider windows (part 1)…
If Doctor Who turned up in front of you right now and offered you the chance to go elsewhere in time to change, remove or amend one tenet of modern maternity care, what would you choose? Even though I understand…
Love, kisses and other ways of knowing…
Sara Wickham asks whether maternity care providers and those who attend births are focusing on the right things.
Giant Breakthrough in Screening or Great Big Stressor?
Sara Wickham’s 2004 article in which she looks at the pros and cons of offering screening for the group B strep bacteria in pregnancy.
Screening and the consequences of knowledge (part three)
The third part of Sara Wickham’s article in which she discusses the consquences of knowledge gained from medical screening, which aren’t always anticipated.