Irish and New Zealand Midwives' expertise at preserving the perineum intact (the MEPPI study): Perspectives on preparations for birth.

Objectives: perineal trauma during birth can result in short or long term morbidity for women. Internationally, rates of episiotomy and severe perineal tears vary considerably. In New Zealand, in 2011, and in a trial of midwife-led care in Ireland, episiotomy rates were found to be considerably lower than those in many other countries.

Midwifery empowerment: National surveys of midwives from Australia, New Zealand and Sweden.

Background: the predicted midwifery workforce shortages in several countries have serious implications for the care of women during pregnancy, birth and post partum. There are a number of factors known to contribute to midwifery shortages and work attrition. However, midwives assessment of their own professional identity and role (sense of empowerment) are perhaps among the most important.

Changing trends in pregnancy registration for New Zealand women.

Introduction: Early pregnancy registration is recommended and provides an opportunity for screening, risk assessment and health promotion.

Aim: To determine the gestation at pregnancy registration for a cohort of pregnant New Zealand women who received maternity care from a midwife Lead Maternity Carer (LMC) and to determine if women are registering earlier in pregnancy.

Methods: The gestation of pregnancy at registration was reviewed for the 81,821 women who registered with a midwife LMC between 2008 and 2010 and had data recorded in the New Zealand College of Midwives Clinical Outcomes Research Database (COMCORD).

Outcomes of physiological and active third stage labour care amongst women in New Zealand.

Background: during the third stage of labour there are two approaches for care provision - active management or physiological (expectant) care. The aim of this research was to describe, analyse and compare the midwifery care pathway and outcomes provided to a selected cohort of New Zealand women during the third stage of labour between the years 2004 and 2008. These women received continuity of care from a midwife Lead Maternity Carer and gave birth in a variety of birth settings (home, primary, secondary and tertiary maternity units).

Irish and New Zealand midwives' expertise in expectant management of the third stage of labour: the 'MEET' study.

Objective: to explore the views of expert midwives in Ireland and New Zealand of the skills they employ in expectant management of the third stage of labour (EMTSL).

Design: university ethical approval was granted for a qualitative descriptive study in 2010. Recorded, semi-structured interviews were undertaken.