Appraising Research into Childbirth

Concentrates specifically on research into midwifery and related disciplines. This book is designed to equip midwives and midwifery students with the necessary tools to navigate the maze of evidence-informed practice and the very different kinds of research that are published in midwifery, medical and related journals.

Concentrating specifically on research into midwifery and related disciplines, "Appraising Research into Childbirth" is designed to equip midwives and midwifery students with the necessary tools to navigate the maze of evidence-informed practice and the very different kinds of research that are published in midwifery, medical and related journals. The book appraises eight previously published research articles that present both qualitative and quantitative research studies. Each of the various elements is analysed from the methodology through to the interpretation of the results. Each article is annotated with notes and questions, thereby enabling the reader to actively participate in the appraisal. Tips, tools and checklists aid orientation and quick recall of salient advice and a guide to statistics helps to demystify what is generally considered to be a daunting element of most research. Each chapter is pulled together by the ongoing discussion about how we can find out and know by doing research and the advantages, disadvantages, potential for philosophical and methodological bias and political ramifications of such work.

Introduction
SECTION ONE: A Few Tools, Tips and Checklists
SECTION TWO: Women, Midwives and Information Introduction Chapter One Sara Wickham O'Cathian, A, Walters, SJ, Nicholl JP, Kirkham M (2002) Use of evidence based leaflets to promote informed choice in maternity care: randomised controlled trial in everyday practice. British Medical Journal 324: 643 Chapter Two Nadine Edwards Stapleton, H, Kirkham, M, Thomas G (2002) Qualitative study of evidence based leaflets in maternity care. British Medical Journal 324: 639
SECTION THREE: Childbirth Choices Introduction Chapter Three Tricia Anderson Hundley V, Rennie A-M, Fitzmaurice A et al (2000) A national survey of women's views of their maternity care in Scotland.
Midwifery, Vol 16, Issue 4, pp 303-313 Chapter Four Mary Stewart Madi BC and Crow R (2003) A qualitative study of information about available options for childbirth venue and pregnant women's preference for place of delivery.
Midwifery, Vol 19, Issue 4, pp 328-336
SECTION FOUR: Childbirth Interventions Introduction Chapter Five Julie Frohlich Olsen, SF and Secher, NJ. (2002) Low consumption of seafood in early pregnancy as a risk factor for preterm delivery: prospective cohort study. British Medical Journal 324: 447-450 Chapter Six Ishvar Sheran and Sara Wickham Smith C, Crowther C and Belby J (2002) Acupuncture to treat nausea and vomiting in early pregnancy: a randomised controlled trial.
BIRTH, Vol 29, No 1
SECTION FIVE: Women's Experiences Introduction Chapter Seven Ruth Deery Berg, M., Lundgren, I., &
Hermansson, E. (1996) Women's experience of the encounter with the midwife during childbirth Midwifery, Vol. 12, Issue 1, pp. 11-15 Chapter Eight Tricia Anderson Machin D and Scamell M (1997) The experience of labour using ethnography to explore the irresistible nature of the bio-medical metaphor during labour. Midwifery Vol 13, Issue X, pp 78-84
SECTION SIX: Resources