“EFM has become a quintessential example of the perils of adopting new medical technologies without proper study of risks and benefits,” says a Clinical Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology.
EFM: ubiquitous yet flawed
Category: Research Updates
Microbiome seeding and woman-centred care
Sara Wickham discusses a woman-centred paper on vaginal seeding, whose authors highlight complex but really important elements of this conversation.
Caseload midwifery continues to outperform standard maternity care
Sara Wickham shares links to evidence showing that caseload midwifery outperforms standard maternity care – time and time again.
Another way of helping babies with shoulder dystocia?
Sara Wickham discusses a paper on the shoulder shrug maneuver, designed to facilitate birth in cases where a baby experiences shoulder dystocia.
Prophylactic antibiotics after instrumental birth?
A large trial on prophylactic antibiotics after instrumental birth which shows that this reduces the chance of infection from one in five to one in ten.
“EFM is a waste of extremely scarce resources…”
A new paper analysing the evidence for electronic fetal monitoring shows this to be ineffective as a means of reducing cerebral palsy in sub-Saharan Africa.
Recurrent episodes of reduced fetal movement and pregnancy risk
New research from the UK has found no evidence to suggest that recurrent episodes of reduced fetal movement increase pregnancy risk.
Women’s experiences of birthing their placenta
Australian researchers have carried out an important study looking at women’s decisions about, and experiences of birthing their placenta.
Are birth seats beneficial?
Sara Wickham looks at research which considered the relationship between birth seats and tears in healthy women.
The ARRIVE Trial: another perspective
Sara Wickham shares the work of an obstetrician who has added further doubt to the value of the results of the ARRIVE Trial.