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Journal Vol. 37, No. 2 — Women in labour: Do not disturb!

ISSN 2516-5852 (Online)

Editorial: Women in labour. Do not disturb

Guest editor, Catharine Hart, introduces the theme for this issue of the AIMS journal.

An open letter of thanks to Catharine Hart, Campaigns Team Volunteer and Physiology-Informed Maternity Services (PIMS) campaign lead.

AIMS bids a warm farewell to Catharine and wishes her all the best in her return to midwifery.

In the safety and privacy of one’s own home

Alex Smith wonders whether current approaches to maternity care sabotage any chance of a physiological birth.

Reflections on the birth of my first child, Rory, 43 years ago.

Noreen O’Dwyer Hart reflects on a birth experience that changed her life forever.

The Joys, Chaos, and Magic of Five Waterbirths: A Personal Journey

Juliet Fisher shares the joyful birth stories of her five children.

The benefits of physiology-informed maternity services in high risk situations

Naomi Glass strove for a physiological birth despite her medical condition and found that midwives need support in this situation too.

My experience of physiology-informed maternity care as a pregnant women living with diabetes

Jane Furness, who lives with type 1 diabetes, describes the home birth of her second baby.

Reclaiming Birth: Trusting the Body Within a Physiology-Informed Maternity System

Sallyann Beresford explains why daring to believe in your body’s ability to give birth without help may come across as an act of defiance.

Supporting physiological birth as a student midwife

Student midwives Anna Jones and Lydia Barwood, share very different experiences, both highlighting how rarely midwives ever see physiological birth.

What is causing women to fear physiological birth?

Student midwife Emily Burke explains how the medical model of maternity care has led to a loss of trust in physiological birth.

The Fabric of Birth: Part one

Former midwife Nicole Schlögel compares what she was taught as a student midwife about anatomy, to what she has learned through her work as a fascia therapist offering pregnancy massage.

Integrating Evidence and Practice: Implementing Physiology-Informed Maternity Care in England

Midwife and public health advocate Fedwa Harrak explains why transitioning to a physiology-informed maternity care model in England is both essential and complex.

Is it time for an “oxytocin-based” maternity system?

AIMS comments on Toni Harman’s blog highlighting the worrying thought that routinely separating mothers and babies could be putting newborns at increased risk of morbidity and mortality.

Case study: Optimal Cord Clamping

AIMS reminds us of the vital importance of leaving the cord intact for some minutes after almost any birth.

The Natural (Gentle) Caesarean

Midwife Jenny Smith writes about her work in improving caesarean birth, both physiologically and psychologically, for women and their babies.

Case study: Rebozo

Julia Mihaylov explains how the rebozo scarf can be used throughout pregnancy, birth and the early postnatal period.

Case study: Biomechanics

Catharine Hart showcases the work of Molly O’Brien who believes that Biomechanic techniques should be available for all birthing women.

Review of the new book, ‘Born Stroppy’ by Ruth Weston

Catharine Hart reviewed Ruth Weston’s new book and found that she couldn’t put it down!

Birth Activists Briefing: Latest data from MBRRACE and the PMRT review

Nadia Higson tells us about the MBRRACE Data briefings on maternal mortality

Reflections on attending the Inaugural Regional Maternity & Neonatal Conference in Belfast on 25th March

It was the first conference of its kind in Northern Ireland and AIMS was invited to attend by the Chief Nursing Officer Advisory Group!

What has the AIMS Campaigns Team been up to this quarter?

Find out about all of the AIMS campaigns team activities this last quarter.

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