The perfect birth: a content analysis of midwives' posts about birth on Instagram.

Background: There is limited research into how midwives use social media within their professional role. Small pilot studies have explored the introduction of social media into maternity practice and teaching but there is little evidence around how midwives use social media professionally. This is important as 89% of pregnant women turn to social media for advice during pregnancy, and how midwives use social media could be influencing women, their perception of birth and their decision making.

(Re)activation of survival strategies during pregnancy and childbirth following experiences of childhood sexual abuse.

Objectives: To explore the pregnancy and childbearing experiences of women-survivors of childhood sexual abuse [CSA]. We aimed to generate a theory explaining those experiences for this population (women), this phenomenon (pregnancy and childbirth), and this context (those who have survived CSA).

Method: Participants (N=6) were recruited to semi-structured interviews about their experiences of CSA and subsequent pregnancy and childbirth.

The experiences and psychological outcomes for pregnant women who have had FGM: A systematic review.

Female genital mutilation (FGM) is a global issue, with 200 million women and girls thought to be affected. FGM is defined as removal of female external genitalia, either partial or total, for non-medical purposes. FGM is embedded in tradition, including cultural beliefs about sexual behaviour.

Disclosure of non-recent (historic) childhood sexual abuse: What should researchers do?

Non-recent (historic) childhood sexual abuse is an important issue to research, though often regarded as taboo and frequently met with caution, avoidance or even opposition from research ethics committees. Sensitive research, such as that which asks victim-survivors to recount experiences of abuse or harm, has the propensity to be emotionally challenging for both the participant and the researcher. However, most research suggests that any distress experienced is usually momentary and not of any clinical significance.

Fear of birth-A prospective cohort study of primigravida in the UK.

Objective: An increase in the number of women who have fear of birth [FOB] has been reported globally; yet, how these women are identified varies. This study aimed to identify the most effective way of measuring FOB in clinical practice.

Design: This paper reports on a prospective cohort study; a core element of an explanatory mixed-methods study.

Fear of birth in clinical practice: A structured review of current measurement tools.

To identify measurement tools which screen for the presence of fear of birth (FOB) and to determine the most effective tool/s for use in clinical practice. Fear or birth (FOB) is internationally recognised as a cause for increasing concern, despite a lack of consensus on a definition or optimal measure of assessment. There is a wide array of FOB measurement tools, however little clarity on which tool should be used to screen for FOB in clinical practice.

Using folic acid-fortified flour should be mandatory policy.

Research published last month states that pregnancy multivitamins do not contribute anything towards boosting the health of mothers and babies.

Timing of pregnancy in obese women after bariatric surgery.

Aims: There is an increased risk of preterm and small-for-gestational-age births associated with bariatric surgery, especially if maternal early pregnancy body mass index (BMI) is <30.0kg/m(2). However, the relationship between timing of pregnancy post-bariatric surgery and effects on pregnancy outcome are unknown.

Telephone support for women during pregnancy and the first six weeks postpartum.

Background: Telephone communication is increasingly being accepted as a useful form of support within health care. There is some evidence that telephone support may be of benefit in specific areas of maternity care such as to support breastfeeding and for women at risk of depression. There is a plethora of telephone-based interventions currently being used in maternity care.

'She can choose, as long as I'm happy with it': a qualitative study of expectant fathers' views of birth place.

Objectives: A programme of research was undertaken to explore which factors contributed to decisions regarding birth place. As part of this programme, the views of male partners of pregnant women were examined to gain understanding of their contribution to the decision making process, with regard to different birth settings.

Study Design: A qualitative interpretive approach was utilised to explore, in-depth, the views of 19 expectant fathers, in the North West of England.

A qualitative study of women's experiences of communication in antenatal care: identifying areas for action.

To identify key features of communication across antenatal (prenatal) care that are evaluated positively or negatively by service users. Focus groups and semi-structured interviews were used to explore communication experiences of thirty pregnant women from diverse social and ethnic backgrounds affiliated to a large London hospital. Data were analysed using thematic analysis.

Mental health and childbirth.

Because of the potential impact that all mental health problems in the antenatal and postnatal periods may have on the mother and her child, the NICE guideline should be read by all midwives. Those in management positions must help implement and disseminate the guideline. In the last article in this series, we will look more closely at implementation.