Hi 

I don't have references for your specific question, but just to comment on 
this thread, I think it is a really important topic for consideration. I 
have come across a few chapters and papers as I happen to be preparing a 
teaching session on 'first' stage, and it seems to me that a greater 
understanding of neurophysiological issues, and how women can be 'disturbed' 
in labour would put impetus behind clinical practice which aims to support 
women to birth without unnecessary intervention. There were some articles in 
the BJM in 1998 about this very topic, written, I believe, by some biology 
lecturers, I haven't come across many other more recent information (apart 
from a chapter in the textbook by Coad). Good luck in your research 

 

Deborah Caine 

Coxon, Kirstie writes: 

> Hi 
> thanks Claire for your email - I would be very keen to see Sarah Buckley's paper, if you can send it to me ([log in to unmask]), or if you send me the reference I should be able to track it down.  
> 
> To other Jiscmail colleagues, I responded to Claire's initial email 'off list' and said I'd be interested to know if she was aware of papers or resources that discuss the concept of physiological disturbance during birth. I am not a physiologist, but I am researching womens' choice of place of birth, and apprehension about transfer or moving during labour plays an important part in women's decisions, especially when they are considering Freestanding Midwifery Unit or home birth, less so with Alongside Midwifery Units and Obstetric Units (although in some post -natal interviews, women then discuss the impact of multiple moves within hospitals, so I think that it's unanticipated that they may have to move often within hospitals, rather than it not affecting hospital births). Having looked at this issue a while ago, I was surprised to find that little is published, although I am aware of Michel Odent's work and most recently, Fahy and colleagues' text on Birth Territory and Midwifery Guardianship.  
> 
> As Claire has reassured me that she also is surprised that little is published on this topic, I thought I might open my request up to the list, (being normally quite shy and a bit of a list 'lurker'!) and enquire if others know about research into the impact of different places, or moving between places, on labour and birth - including physiological disturbance. 
> 
> many thanks 
> 
> Kirstie 
> 
> Kirstie Coxon 
> 
> Research Associate & NIHR Research Training Fellow
> Room 708
> Department of Public Health and Primary Care Research
> King's College, London
> Capital House
> 42 Weston Street
> London
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> 
> Tel
> 07986 911814 (mobile and study contact number)
> 0207 848 6648
> Fax 0207 848 6620
> ________________________________________
> From: A forum for discussion on midwifery and reproductive health research. [[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Claire Feeley [[log in to unmask]]
> Sent: 20 October 2010 14:28
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: New member 
> 
> Hi, thanks for all your welcome messages! 
> 
> I have got hold of Rixa's thesis thank you, its fab, and is a main component of my dissertation.  There is another thesis by Lauren Brown and a paper by Amy Miller. All from the US.  I have just submitted the first draft of my dissertation so when its finally ready for submission I shall be happy to post it, if it would be of interest.  It is a very much under researched area. 
> 
> A question I pose is what can midwives and obs learn from women who freebirth?  For certainly much of my attraction to the subject has stemmed from the iatrogenesis I have witnessed/been a part of whilst training and it certainly has caused me to deeply reflect upon my practice and role as a midwife.  It also has caused me to really get to grips with my own birth experience, and although I mostly had a postive experience, I did have some unresolved issues surrounding it.  Exploring freebirthing has created new angles to examine it through which has been interesting. 
> 
> 
> In reply to Kirsty, I find it fascinating that there is so little about physiological disturbance out there!  Prior to my degree I read as much Michel Odent as I could, and it just simply made sense to me.  Thank you for the other pointers, I shall look up Nadine Edwards book, I have not come across it yet.  The references that the women use in freebirthing is mainly Odent and Sarah Buckley who writes about undisturbed birth, she is a GP in Australia and I can send you her article if you wish?  I remember Stephanie Meakin giving a wonderful talk at the ARM conference 2 years ago about the hormonal interplay, although I am not sure what she has written. 
> 
> Thanks again for all your welcomes.  This is certainly feeding my interest in research! 
> 
> Claire
> 3rd midwifery student