These are practices which the World Health Organization has identified as clearly harmful or ineffective and which should be eliminated:
Routine use of enema.
Routine use of pubic shaving.
Routine intravenous infusion in labour.
Routine prophylactic insertion of intravenous cannula.
Routine use of the supine position
Rectal examination.
The use of X-ray pelvimetry.
Administration of oxytocic at any time before delivery in such a way that their effect cannot be controlled.
Routine use of lithotomy position with or without stirrups during labour
Sustained, directed bearing down efforts (Valsalva manoeuvre) during the second stage of labour.
Massaging and stretching the perineum during the second stage.
Use of oral tablets of Ergometrine in the third stage of labour.
Routine use of parenteral Ergometrine in the third stage of labour.
Routine lavage of the uterus after delivery.
Routine revision (manual exploration) of the uterus after labour.
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