Maternal Asian ethnicity and the risk of anal sphincter injury.

Objective: To examine associations between maternal Asian ethnicity (South Asian and South East/East Asian) and anal sphincter injury.

Design: Retrospective cross-sectional study, comparing outcomes for Asian women with those of Australian and New Zealand women.

Setting: A large metropolitan maternity service in Victoria, Australia.

Very advanced maternal age and morbidity in Victoria, Australia: a population based study.

Background: In Australia, approximately 0.1% of births occur to women 45 years or older and this rate has been increasing in recent years. There are however, few population based studies examining perinatal outcomes among this age group.

Clinical decision-making: midwifery students' recognition of, and response to, post partum haemorrhage in the simulation environment.

Background: This paper reports the findings of a study of how midwifery students responded to a simulated post partum haemorrhage (PPH). Internationally, 25% of maternal deaths are attributed to severe haemorrhage. Although this figure is far higher in developing countries, the risk to maternal wellbeing and child health problem means that all midwives need to remain vigilant and respond appropriately to early signs of maternal deterioration.