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…
What time are babies most likely to be born?
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?
Women are not given adequate information about induction
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…
The 2021 NICE guideline on inducing labour
November 2021 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…
Postnatal heparin: what’s the evidence?
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.
Anti-D resources
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?
Does antenatal anti-D help the current baby? Sara Wickham demystifies the science and answers this question in simple terms.
Optimal cord clamping: what’s the evidence?
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.
Anti-D in pregnancy: how we haven’t moved on…
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…
9 things you might not know about Anti-D…
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…
Induction associated with more interventions and adverse outcomes
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…
Ten reasons to question the draft NICE Guideline on inducing labour
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 to save 40,000 women a year from having unnecessary Anti-D…
How many women receive unnecessary anti-D? Sara Wickham looks at some of the issues concerning antenatal anti-D and fetal blood testing.
Anti-D information: getting started
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…
Group B Strep resources
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.
Induction increases the chance of caesarean
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…
Books I have known and loved…
This blog post contains many of the book reviews that I have written over the years, details of books that I’m involved with but haven’t authored, and links to some of my favourite birth and midwifery books. You can find…
A revelation that every birth worker needs to know about gravity and placental transfusion
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.
Unexpected home birth: let’s keep our shoelaces on…
Sara Wickham explains why advice given by the emergency services to use shoelaces to tie the cord at birth is incorrect and dangerous
Has the pandemic affected induction of labour?
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.
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.
Vitamin K Resources
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 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.
Vitamin K: the stories behind the evidence
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.
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.
Home birth after caesarean
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 home birth after caesarean may lead to…
How do midwives support women in bureaucratic health care systems?
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…
Six principles for effectively managing your research project
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…
Bacteria and the Microbiome – Resources
Sara Wickham offers an overview of bacteria and microbiome related resources along with the story of her knitted bacteria and some ideas for their use!
Induction and synchronised swimming: Mary Cronk words of wisdom
Sara Wickham shares the wisdom of Mary Cronk, one of midwifery’s heroes. Thoughts on induction, labour and synchronised swimming…
Black women are STILL far more likely to die in childbirth
MBRRACE-UK have published the latest report from their United Kingdom’s Confidential Enquiry into Maternal Deaths programme and it shows that Black women are still far more likely to die in childbirth than white women. Those of mixed race and Asian…
Black, Black British, Asian and Asian British babies twice as likely to die
A report published in the UK has shown that Black and Asian babies are twice as likely to die as white babies. (Direct link here). MBRRACE-UK (a project run by a multi-disciplinary research team based at Oxford University) have published…
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.
Ten things you can do before clamping the umbilical cord…
Dr Sara Wickham suggests things that can be done before clamping the umbilical cord, thus ensuring that babies get their full complement of blood.
Knitted breast patterns and exchange
Women’s perceptions and experiences of COVID-19
The first study looking at women’s perceptions of COVID-19 and their healthcare experiences in the UK was a qualitative thematic analysis published in BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth. In May 2020, Karavadra et al (2020) developed a questionnaire and advertised it…
The importance of illumination – the case of covert retention
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.
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…
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.
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…
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.
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…
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.
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.
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.
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.
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?
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.
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.