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Three similar clinical incidences over a three-month period highlighted an issue with the readiness and availability of neonatal resuscitation personnel and equipment at the time of caesarean section (CS). This identified a potential risk to the wellbeing of the mother and baby that had to be addressed. A joint venture was undertaken with the maternity and theatre directorates. A maternity-specific checklist in use in the UK maternity services was sourced, adapted and implemented. No further incidents have been reported since with resulting overall enhanced safety of pregnant women and newborn babies in the unit.

Background/Aims 'Labour hopscotch' is a visual tool that encourages activity during pregnancy and childbirth. It has been used in one advanced midwife practitioner service since 2017 and more widely across in Ireland since 2020. The biomechanics for birth toolkit was added to advanced midwife practitioner care in 2022. This study's aim was to ascertain if the biomechanics for birth toolkit impacted gestation of spontaneous onset of labour rates and birth outcomes. Methods A retrospective study of onset of labour and birth outcomes was conducted for women before (n=155) and after (n=154) the biomechanics for birth toolkit was incorporated into care. Results Before the toolkit was included, there was a 57.2% spontaneous onset of labour rate, with 33.2% birthing before 41 weeks. After the kit's inclusion, there was a 72.2% spontaneous onset of labour, with 91.8% birthing before 41 weeks. Induction rates dropped from 42.8% to 27.8%, with emergency caesarean section rates following induction dropping from 33.1% to 23.8%. Conclusions Using the biomechanics for birth toolkit alongside the labour hopscotch tool could increase spontaneous onset of labour rates, optimise physiological birth, reduce inductions and emergency caesarean section following induction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: A rise in the number of caesarean sections and the rate of birth weight over 4kg prompted an advanced midwife practitioner service to introduce routine weighing for all service users and target weight gain based on Institute of Medicine guidelines. The study's aims were to ascertain if maintaining weight gain reduced pre-eclampsia, caesarean section births, birth weight over 4kg and neonatal intensive care unit admissions. Methods: A retrospective study of weight gain and outcomes for 53 pre- and 46 post-routine weighing service users was conducted. Results: Over a third (40%) of participants gained excess weight, with a 22% caesarean section rate and 22% of babies weighed over 4kg at birth. There was an overall 6% reduction in caesarean section births and a 22% reduction in babies weighing over 4kg. Conclusions: Routine weighing and health promotion techniques have the potential to maximise health and wellbeing and could be a long-term investment in the health and wellbeing of mothers and babies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]