The practising midwife
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The Rotunda Hospital (Dublin) obstetric emergency training programme (RHOET) was designed, in 2008, to meet the ongoing education and training needs of the local multidisciplinary team. Prior to its implementation, senior midwives attended the advanced life support in obstetrics (ALSO) course, and many of the obstetricians attended the Management of obstetric emergencies and trauma (MOET) and/or ALSO courses. Attendance at these off site courses meant that the only opportunity for team training was the informal and ad hoc 'drills and skills' that took place in the birthing suite. This paper documents our journey since RHOET was implemented.
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The aim of this bi-monthly column is to highlight Cochrane Systematic Reviews of relevance to pregnancy and childbirth and to stimulate discussion on the relevance and implications of the review for practice. The Cochrane Collaboration is an international organisation that prepares and maintains high quality systematic reviews to help people make well-informed decisions about healthcare and health policy. ⋯ The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (CDSR) is published monthly online. Residents in countries with a national license to The Cochrane Library, including the UK and Ireland, can access the Cochrane Library online free through www.thecochranelibrary.com.
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In the awful circumstances of the death of a mother or baby around childbirth, midwives need to be prepared for what happens afterwards. This article sets out some top tips for midwives appearing at a coroner's court with practical advice from Peter Straker, Coroner for West Yorkshire (Western District). You should be respectful, say how very sorry you are for the death, dress well, make sure you read your notes before the hearing and of course be open, honest and truthful. You must also be prepared to answer questions from the family of the deceased as well as from the Coroner.
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The practising midwife · May 2012
TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) for labour pain.
Because TENS is applied inconsistently and not always in line with optimal TENS application theory, this may explain why TENS for labour pain appears to be effective in some individuals and not in others. This article reviews TENS theory, advises upon optimal TENS application for labour pain and discusses some of the limitations of TENS research on labour pain. ⋯ As pain increases, TENS intensity should be increased and as pain decreases, TENS intensity should be reduced to maintain a strong but pain free intensity of stimulation. This application may particularly reduce back pain during labour.