Holistic physiological care compared with active management of the third stage of labour for women at low risk of postpartum haemorrhage: a cohort study.

Question: Is 'holistic psychophysiological care' in the third stage of labour safe for women at low risk of postpartum haemorrhage?

Background: Although there have been four randomised trials and a Cochrane Review on the safety and effectiveness of care during the third stage labour, no previous study has focussed only on women at low risk of postpartum haemorrhage and no previous study has tested a form of physiological third stage care that is provided by skilled midwives in an appropriate setting.

Design: Retrospective cohort study involving a maternity unit at a tertiary referral hospital and a freestanding, midwifery-led birthing unit.

Participants: All low risk women who gave birth at either unit in the period July 2005-August 2008.