10 posts · 11,716 views
Science & Sensibility is a research blog from Lamaze International. Understanding “evidence-based maternity care” requires a certain proficiency in sorting out the good studies from the bad. Scientific evidence can help us clarify best practices, but much of the available evidence is limited, flawed, or even biased. Science & Sensibility exists to spread the word about new important studies and to help maternity care reform advocates hone their ability to critically analyze research. With a better understanding of the research, we can improve the health and care of women and infants in pregnancy, birth and beyond.
Amy Romano
8 posts
Henci Goer
2 posts
Sort by: Latest Post, Most Popular
View by: Condensed, Full
- November 11, 2009
- 04:43 PM
- 1,238 views
Does Progesterone Treatment Prevent Preterm Birth? A Case of “Skim Milk Masquerades as Cream”
by Henci Goer in Science & Sensibility
This is off my usual beat, but a relative asked me to investigate progesterone treatment to prevent preterm birth. In her first pregnancy, membranes ruptured at 31 weeks and the baby was born a week later. (The baby was fine thanks to her mother taking good care of herself in pregnancy, steroids to mature her [...]... Read more »
Dodd JM, Flenady V, Cincotta R, & Crowther CA. (2006) Prenatal administration of progesterone for preventing preterm birth. Cochrane database of systematic reviews (Online). PMID: 16437505
- November 6, 2009
- 12:56 PM
- 1,214 views
Baby it hurts: birth practices and postpartum pain
by Amy Romano in Science & Sensibility
Ask a bunch of expectant women what worries them about labor, and chances are many of them will say, “the pain.” Much is made about pain in labor. Women prepare for it, nurses constantly assess it, anesthesiology departments exist to eliminate it, and so on. But while there are many experiences of labor pain, just [...]... Read more »
Moore ER, Anderson GC, & Bergman N. (2007) Early skin-to-skin contact for mothers and their healthy newborn infants. Cochrane database of systematic reviews (Online). PMID: 17636727
Gupta JK, & Hofmeyr GJ. (2004) Position for women during second stage of labour. Cochrane database of systematic reviews (Online). PMID: 14973980
Moore ER, & Anderson GC. (2007) Randomized controlled trial of very early mother-infant skin-to-skin contact and breastfeeding status. Journal of midwifery , 52(2), 116-25. PMID: 17336817
Patel RR, Peters TJ, & Murphy DJ. (2007) Is operative delivery associated with postnatal back pain at eight weeks and eight months? A cohort study. Acta obstetricia et gynecologica Scandinavica, 86(11), 1322-7. PMID: 17851815
- October 25, 2009
- 12:01 PM
- 1,066 views
Do We Need a Cochrane Review to Tell Us That Women Should Move in Labor?
by Amy Romano in Science & Sensibility
I am reposting this post from the archives in anticipation of this week’s Healthy Birth Blog Carnival about movement in labor. It was one of the first posts I ever wrote, back before anyone was reading this blog. It’s also one of my personal favorites.
Earlier this year, media outlets shared the news of a new [...]... Read more »
Lawrence A, Lewis L, Hofmeyr GJ, Dowswell T, & Styles C. (2009) Maternal positions and mobility during first stage labour. Cochrane database of systematic reviews (Online). PMID: 19370591
- October 5, 2009
- 10:23 PM
- 959 views
From the Research Summaries Archives: The Safety and Effectiveness of Midwives
by Amy Romano in Science & Sensibility
Lamaze International’s popular series, Research Summaries for Normal Birth, was discontinued in 2008 after four years of quarterly round-ups so that we could launch Science & Sensibility. In order to bring all of our research resources together in one place, we are adding the Research Summaries archive to Science & Sensibility.
In honor of National Midwifery [...]... Read more »
Goodman S. (2007) Piercing the veil: the marginalization of midwives in the United States. Social science , 65(3), 610-21. PMID: 17475381
Cragin L, & Kennedy HP. (2006) Linking obstetric and midwifery practice with optimal outcomes. Journal of obstetric, gynecologic, and neonatal nursing : JOGNN / NAACOG, 35(6), 779-85. PMID: 17105644
Kennedy HP, & Shannon MT. (2004) Keeping birth normal: research findings on midwifery care during childbirth. Journal of obstetric, gynecologic, and neonatal nursing : JOGNN / NAACOG, 33(5), 554-60. PMID: 15495700
- September 9, 2009
- 10:22 AM
- 859 views
From the Research Summaries Archive: Induction and Augmentation
by Amy Romano in Science & Sensibility
Lamaze International’s popular series, Research Summaries for Normal Birth, was discontinued in 2008 after four years of quarterly round-ups so that we could move to the blog format and launch Science & Sensibility. In order to bring all of our research resources together in one place, we are adding the Research Summaries archive to Science [...]... Read more »
Hill MJ, McWilliams GD, Garcia-Sur D, Chen B, Munroe M, & Hoeldtke NJ. (2008) The effect of membrane sweeping on prelabor rupture of membranes: a randomized controlled trial. Obstetrics and gynecology, 111(6), 1313-9. PMID: 18515514
Smyth RM, Alldred SK, & Markham C. (2007) Amniotomy for shortening spontaneous labour. Cochrane database of systematic reviews (Online). PMID: 17943891
Gaudernack LC, Forbord S, & Hole E. (2006) Acupuncture administered after spontaneous rupture of membranes at term significantly reduces the length of birth and use of oxytocin. A randomized controlled trial. Acta obstetricia et gynecologica Scandinavica, 85(11), 1348-53. PMID: 17091416
Kramer MS, Rouleau J, Baskett TF, Joseph KS, & Maternal Health Study Group of the Canadian Perinatal Surveillance System. (2006) Amniotic-fluid embolism and medical induction of labour: a retrospective, population-based cohort study. Lancet, 368(9545), 1444-8. PMID: 17055946
Main EK, Moore D, Farrell B, Schimmel LD, Altman RJ, Abrahams C, Bliss MC, Polivy L, & Sterling J. (2006) Is there a useful cesarean birth measure? Assessment of the nulliparous term singleton vertex cesarean birth rate as a tool for obstetric quality improvement. American journal of obstetrics and gynecology, 194(6), 1644. PMID: 16643812
Fok WY, Chan LY, Tsui MH, Leung TN, Lau TK, & Chung TK. (2006) When to induce labor for post-term? A study of induction at 41 weeks versus 42 weeks. European journal of obstetrics, gynecology, and reproductive biology, 125(2), 206-10. PMID: 16139416
Allen VM, O'Connell CM, Farrell SA, & Baskett TF. (2005) Economic implications of method of delivery. American journal of obstetrics and gynecology, 193(1), 192-7. PMID: 16021078
Luthy DA, Malmgren JA, & Zingheim RW. (2004) Cesarean delivery after elective induction in nulliparous women: the physician effect. American journal of obstetrics and gynecology, 191(5), 1511-5. PMID: 15547518
Ngwenya S, & Lindow SW. (2004) 24 hour rhythm in the timing of pre-labour spontaneous rupture of membranes at term. European journal of obstetrics, gynecology, and reproductive biology, 112(2), 151-3. PMID: 14746949
Magann EF, Doherty DA, Field K, Chauhan SP, Muffley PE, & Morrison JC. (2004) Biophysical profile with amniotic fluid volume assessments. Obstetrics and gynecology, 104(1), 5-10. PMID: 15228994
Daniel-Spiegel E, Weiner Z, Ben-Shlomo I, & Shalev E. (2004) For how long should oxytocin be continued during induction of labour?. BJOG : an international journal of obstetrics and gynaecology, 111(4), 331-4. PMID: 15008768
- August 30, 2009
- 06:00 AM
- 1,365 views
When Research is Flawed: Should Labor Be Induced Immediately with Term Prelabor Rupture of Membranes?
by Henci Goer in Science & Sensibility
[Editor's Note: Lamaze International is in the process of moving the archives of our When Research is Flawed series to Science & Sensibility. When Research is Flawed is a series of brief critiques of influential studies that have shaped policy and practice, despite having serious flaws, significant limitations, or both. - AMR]
Commentary on: Hannah ME, [...]... Read more »
Hannah ME, Ohlsson A, Farine D, Hewson SA, Hodnett ED, Myhr TL, Wang EE, Weston JA, & Willan AR. (1996) Induction of labor compared with expectant management for prelabor rupture of the membranes at term. TERMPROM Study Group. The New England journal of medicine, 334(16), 1005-10. PMID: 8598837
ACOG Committee on Practice Bulletins-Obstetrics. (2007) ACOG Practice Bulletin No. 80: premature rupture of membranes. Clinical management guidelines for obstetrician-gynecologists. Obstetrics and gynecology, 109(4), 1007-19. PMID: 17400872
Schrag S, Gorwitz R, Fultz-Butts K, & Schuchat A. (2002) Prevention of perinatal group B streptococcal disease. Revised guidelines from CDC. MMWR. Recommendations and reports : Morbidity and mortality weekly report. Recommendations and reports / Centers for Disease Control, 51(RR-11), 1-22. PMID: 12211284
Dare MR, Middleton P, Crowther CA, Flenady VJ, & Varatharaju B. (2006) Planned early birth versus expectant management (waiting) for prelabour rupture of membranes at term (37 weeks or more). Cochrane database of systematic reviews (Online). PMID: 16437525
Hannah ME, Ohlsson A, Wang EE, Matlow A, Foster GA, Willan AR, Hodnett ED, Weston JA, Farine D, & Seaward PG. (1997) Maternal colonization with group B Streptococcus and prelabor rupture of membranes at term: the role of induction of labor. TermPROM Study Group. American journal of obstetrics and gynecology, 177(4), 780-5. PMID: 9369819
Seaward PG, Hannah ME, Myhr TL, Farine D, Ohlsson A, Wang EE, Haque K, Weston JA, Hewson SA, Ohel G.... (1997) International Multicentre Term Prelabor Rupture of Membranes Study: evaluation of predictors of clinical chorioamnionitis and postpartum fever in patients with prelabor rupture of membranes at term. American journal of obstetrics and gynecology, 177(5), 1024-9. PMID: 9396886
Seaward PG, Hannah ME, Myhr TL, Farine D, Ohlsson A, Wang EE, Hodnett E, Haque K, Weston JA, & Ohel G. (1998) International multicenter term PROM study: evaluation of predictors of neonatal infection in infants born to patients with premature rupture of membranes at term. Premature Rupture of the Membranes. American journal of obstetrics and gynecology, 179(3 Pt 1), 635-9. PMID: 9757963
- August 26, 2009
- 12:00 PM
- 1,043 views
From the Research Summaries Archives: Care in Second Stage
by Amy Romano in Science & Sensibility
Lamaze International’s popular series, Research Summaries for Normal Birth, was discontinued in 2008 after four years of quarterly round-ups so that we could move to the blog format and launch Science & Sensibility. In order to bring all of our research resources together in one place, we are adding the Research Summaries archive to Science [...]... Read more »
Reichman O, Gdansky E, Latinsky B, Labi S, & Samueloff A. (2008) Digital rotation from occipito-posterior to occipito-anterior decreases the need for cesarean section. European journal of obstetrics, gynecology, and reproductive biology, 136(1), 25-8. PMID: 17368909
Bloom SL, Casey BM, Schaffer JI, McIntire DD, & Leveno KJ. (2006) A randomized trial of coached versus uncoached maternal pushing during the second stage of labor. American journal of obstetrics and gynecology, 194(1), 10-3. PMID: 16389004
Roberts CL, Algert CS, Cameron CA, & Torvaldsen S. (2005) A meta-analysis of upright positions in the second stage to reduce instrumental deliveries in women with epidural analgesia. Acta obstetricia et gynecologica Scandinavica, 84(8), 794-8. PMID: 16026407
Simpson KR, & James DC. (2005) Effects of immediate versus delayed pushing during second-stage labor on fetal well-being: a randomized clinical trial. Nursing research, 54(3), 149-57. PMID: 15897790
- August 7, 2009
- 07:57 AM
- 1,553 views
No Difference? The case of cesarean surgery and postpartum infection
by Amy Romano in Science & Sensibility
When a study compares one practice with another and reports “no difference” in outcomes, is that the end of the story? Not necessarily. “No significant difference” can mean any of these:
there really is no difference
the study was too small to find the difference that really is there (it lacked “statistical power”)
the outcome was measured or [...]... Read more »
Hannah ME, Hannah WJ, Hewson SA, Hodnett ED, Saigal S, & Willan AR. (2000) Planned caesarean section versus planned vaginal birth for breech presentation at term: a randomised multicentre trial. Term Breech Trial Collaborative Group. Lancet, 356(9239), 1375-83. PMID: 11052579
Leth RA, Møller JK, Thomsen RW, Uldbjerg N, & Nørgaard M. (2009) Risk of selected postpartum infections after cesarean section compared with vaginal birth: A five-year cohort study of 32,468 women. Acta obstetricia et gynecologica Scandinavica, 1-8. PMID: 19642043
Visco AG, Viswanathan M, Lohr KN, Wechter ME, Gartlehner G, Wu JM, Palmieri R, Funk MJ, Lux L, Swinson T.... (2006) Cesarean delivery on maternal request: maternal and neonatal outcomes. Obstetrics and gynecology, 108(6), 1517-29. PMID: 17138788
- August 1, 2009
- 12:08 PM
- 1,037 views
From the Research Summaries Archives: Breastfeeding
by Amy Romano in Science & Sensibility
Lamaze International launched Science & Sensibility to bring updates and analysis on new research to childbirth educators and other birth professionals as early as possible. We know you are on the front lines, answering questions about newsworthy research and bringing the latest evidence-based information to expectant women every week. The decision to launch Science & [...]... Read more »
Colson SD, Meek JH, & Hawdon JM. (2008) Optimal positions for the release of primitive neonatal reflexes stimulating breastfeeding. Early human development, 84(7), 441-9. PMID: 18243594
Jonas W, Wiklund I, Nissen E, Ransjö-Arvidson AB, & Uvnäs-Moberg K. (2007) Newborn skin temperature two days postpartum during breastfeeding related to different labour ward practices. Early human development, 83(1), 55-62. PMID: 16879936
Moore ER, Anderson GC, & Bergman N. (2007) Early skin-to-skin contact for mothers and their healthy newborn infants. Cochrane database of systematic reviews (Online). PMID: 17636727
Ickovics JR, Kershaw TS, Westdahl C, Magriples U, Massey Z, Reynolds H, & Rising SS. (2007) Group prenatal care and perinatal outcomes: a randomized controlled trial. Obstetrics and gynecology, 110(2 Pt 1), 330-9. PMID: 17666608
Penders J, Thijs C, Vink C, Stelma FF, Snijders B, Kummeling I, van den Brandt PA, & Stobberingh EE. (2006) Factors influencing the composition of the intestinal microbiota in early infancy. Pediatrics, 118(2), 511-21. PMID: 16882802
Shah PS, Aliwalas LI, & Shah V. (2006) Breastfeeding or breast milk for procedural pain in neonates. Cochrane database of systematic reviews (Online). PMID: 16856069
WHO Multicentre Growth Reference Study Group. (2006) WHO Child Growth Standards based on length/height, weight and age. Acta paediatrica (Oslo, Norway : 1992). Supplement, 76-85. PMID: 16817681
Stuebe, A. (2005) Duration of Lactation and Incidence of Type 2 Diabetes. JAMA: The Journal of the American Medical Association, 294(20), 2601-2610. DOI: 10.1001/jama.294.20.2601
Rattaz C, Goubet N, & Bullinger A. (2005) The calming effect of a familiar odor on full-term newborns. Journal of developmental and behavioral pediatrics : JDBP, 26(2), 86-92. PMID: 15827459
Gartner LM, Morton J, Lawrence RA, Naylor AJ, O'Hare D, Schanler RJ, Eidelman AI, & American Academy of Pediatrics Section on Breastfeeding. (2005) Breastfeeding and the use of human milk. Pediatrics, 115(2), 496-506. PMID: 15687461
Ferber SG, & Makhoul IR. (2004) The effect of skin-to-skin contact (kangaroo care) shortly after birth on the neurobehavioral responses of the term newborn: a randomized, controlled trial. Pediatrics, 113(4), 858-65. PMID: 15060238
- July 30, 2009
- 08:14 AM
- 1,382 views
The New GBS Cochrane Review: A Hot Mess!
by Amy Romano in Science & Sensibility
Advocates for evidence based care feel our ears perk up when we hear about a new Cochrane systematic review. Cochrane Review = Evidence! Right? Indeed, systematic reviews represent the top of the “evidence pyramid” and Cochrane systematic reviews are the gold standard for their rigor and transparency. A Cochrane review can even conclusively settle important [...]... Read more »
Ohlsson A, & Shah VS. (2009) Intrapartum antibiotics for known maternal Group B streptococcal colonization. Cochrane database of systematic reviews (Online). PMID: 19588432
topics
join us!
Do you write about peer-reviewed research in your blog? Use ResearchBlogging.org to make it easy for your readers — and others from around the world — to find your serious posts about academic research.
If you don't have a blog, you can still use our site to learn about fascinating developments in cutting-edge research from around the world.
