Malpresentations are all presentations of the fetus other than the vertex. Malpositions are abnormal positions of the normal presenting part (the vertex) of the fetal head with the occiput as the reference point relative to the maternal pelvis . Fetal…
Oxytocin Oxytocin is a mammalian neurohypophysial hormone and is produced in the supraoptic and paraventricular nuclei of the hypothalamus. It is a neuropeptide that physiologically is a potent uterotonic, stimulating the smooth muscles of the uterus. It also causes contraction…
‘Yet sometimes the navel string falls down and comes before it; for which cause the child is in much danger of death… As soon as ‘tis perceived, you must immediately endeavor to put it back, to prevent the cooling of…
Introduction The uterine myometrium is one of the most powerful muscles in the body, designed to ‘push out’ a 3.5–4.5-kg fetus during birth, and to expel the placenta after birth. However, any deviation from the normal uterine activity may adversely…
‘Abnormal parturition, besides ending in death or recovery, not infrequently had a third termination in other diseases… a delay of only a few moments in the substitution of pulmonary for the ceased placental respiration would lead to the apprehension that…
Acknowledgements The authors acknowledge Mr Donald Gibb and Elsevier for permission to reproduce in Chapters 9 and 10 some of the figures from Fetal Monitoring in Practice , 2nd ed. Oxford: Butterworth; 1997. ‘By applying the ear to the mother’s…
On the qualifications of an accoucheur: ‘Those who intend to practice midwifery, ought first of all to make themselves masters of anatomy, and acquire competent knowledge in surgery and physic … and of practising under a master, before he attempts…
Introduction Induction of labour, which is defined as the process by which labour is started (or attempted) prior to its spontaneous onset leading to active labour and birth, is one of the two options available to women and their caregivers…
Placental abruption is the premature separation of the placenta from the uterine wall after 20 weeks’ gestation and before birth; the separation can be complete or partial. It complicates approximately 1% of pregnancies and is a major cause of maternal…
Introduction Vasa praevia is a rare disorder of pregnancy with a devastating outcome when undiagnosed. The condition classically presents with ruptured membranes, painless vaginal bleeding and fetal distress (Benckiser’s haemorrhage). , Antenatal ultrasound diagnosis of the condition has been possible…