2. Labour and birth.

This chapter describes the national guidance for care during labour and childbirth in the United Kingdom during the COVID-19 pandemic. The content largely draws attention on the guidance developed by the Royal College of Obstetricians (RCOG) and the Royal College of Midwives (RCM), and specific guidance on infection prevention and control measures from Public Health England. The key areas addressed are as follows: The chapter refers to some of the ways in which the guidance was translated in practice.

Too afraid to push: dealing with fear of childbirth.

Maternal request for caesarean section in the absence of medical need is an ethical and moral dilemma for the NHS. When a woman makes such a request it requires careful exploration of the underlying motivation. Many of these women will be anxious or fearful of giving birth and require tailored support.

Not my choice: results of an online survey.

A survey into women's experiences of giving birth in the UK published in October 2013, provides a useful insight (Birthrights UK 2013). It is the first of its kind to capture women's views on dignity in childbirth. The survey reflects the importance of place of birth, with women who gave birth in obstetric units reporting much lower levels of satisfaction and a greater lack of control than those giving birth in birth centres or at home.

Postpartum urinary symptoms.

There are clear contributing factors during the antenatal and intrapartum period which increase the likelihood of women experiencing postpartum bladder dysfunction. Whilst, anecdotally, stress incontinence is often talked about and accepted by many women to be part of the post childbirth experience, postpartum bladder retention is not. Understanding both the risk factors and the potential short- and long term impact of bladder dysfunction are important elements in postnatal care.