Admitting—a weakness or a strength? Routine admission of a woman in labour

Results on admission in labour from a study of midwifery policies in English maternity units show that shaving and bowel preparation at admission is of crucial importance to the woman, who may be anxious, excited or vulnerable.

Abstract

This paper reports some results on admission in labour from a study of midwifery policies in English maternity units. Admission is an important time for the midwife as she seeks to establish a rapport, make a clinical assessment and provide care. It is also a time of crucial importance to the woman, who may be anxious, excited or vulnerable. Three aspects of care at admission are considered: the relationship between a woman and those who care for her; clinical care at admission and, thirdly, shaving and bowel preparation. The implications for midwifery practice of recent research and the results of this study are discussed.