PIMS Short Case Study - Biomechanics

Biomechanics for Birth

AIMS is proud to showcase the work of Molly O’Brien, who teaches Biomechanics for Birth, including techniques to diagnose and rectify labour dystocia which Molly first developed while working as an NHS midwife for 20 years. Molly believes that ideally these techniques should be available for all birthing women and people to utilise for themselves.

Preliminary audits of several NHS Trusts which have introduced a biomechanic approach show a reduction in instrumental births and severe perineal trauma and an increased number of positive birth experiences (Smith, 2023).

“a deeper understanding of anatomy and physiology has proved to be a far more accurate tool to understanding what is making birth more prolonged and painful..... Identifying and piecing together signs of a suboptimal position requires a change in perceptions of birth from “birth is normal in retrospect” to trust and belief in birth as a normal physiological function”.

Molly O’ Brien

References

  • O’Brien, M (2023) Biomechanics for Birth - A Labour of Love www.optimalbirth.co.uk/index.php/blogs/biomechanics-for-birth-a-labour-of-love, accessed online 14/10/23
  • Smith, A. (2023) Teaching midwives about physiology-based care: going beyond the core curriculum AIMS Journal, 35(1), 28-30, accessed online 16/10/23
  • AIMS Journal Vol 35 No 1 2023. Dare we say it? Physiological Birth

We hope that this page is of interest, especially to our colleagues in the maternity services improvement community.

The AIMS Campaigns Team relies on Volunteers to carry out its work. If you would like to collaborate with us, are looking for further information about our work, or would like to join our team, please email campaigns@aims.org.uk.

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