Theme 2: Managing Labour to Promote Physiologic Birth Overview

Overview

There is no standard definition of labour onset. Without such a definition, there is no benchmark against which to evaluate length and patterns of labour, including dystocia (prolonged, non-progressive labour), the leading indication for primary CS. As well there are major discrepancies in standards for diagnosis of dystocia in Canada, the US, and the UK.  Our research cluster will explore clinical algorithms to define labour onset and indicators of developing dystocia that can may serve as “early warning systems” to create opportunities for early intervention. Accurate methods of predicting CS among healthy women are non-existent. Mobilization, managing the physical and psychosocial environment, and use of nonpharmacologic pain management techniques are commonly used among midwives to promote physiologic birth but have not been rigorously evaluated. We will identify opportunities to evaluate cost-effective, low technology methods to increase rates of healthy normal birth.

Theme Lead

Name Role and Department Affiliated Institution Email
Vedam, Saraswathi Professor, Midwifery, Principal, Birth Place Lab University of British Columbia

Theme Researchers

Name Role and Department Affiliated Institution Email
Britt, Abby PhD Candidate, Certified Nurse Midwife, Emory University School of Nursing Emory University
Carlson, Nicole Emory University
Downe, Soo Professor, Midwifery Studies University of Central Lancashire
Elango, Rajavel Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics, School of Population and Public Health and Investigator, BC Children's Hospital
Elliott, Dana Physiotherapist Dana Elliott Physiotherapy
Erickson, Elise Assistant Professor, Nurse-Midwife, College of Nursing University of Arizona
Gross, Mechthild Professor and Director, Midwifery Research and Education Unit Hannover Medical School
Grylka-Baeschlin, Susanne Professor and Head of Research Institute of Midwifery and Reproductive Health ZHAW Zurich University of Applied Sciences
Hundley, Vanora Professor of Midwifery, Centre for Midwifery and Women's Health Bournemouth University
Janssen, Patti Professor, School of Population and Public Health University of British Columbia
Jevitt, Cecilia University of British Columbia
Kissler, Katherine Assistant Professor, College of Nursing University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus
Kotaska, Andrew Generalist Obstetrician/Gynecologist ⠀
Levett, Kate Senior Research Fellow, National School of Medicine, University of Notre Dame Australia, Honorary Fellow, Collaboration for Midwifery, Child and Family Health University of Notre Dame Australia
McCutcheon, Jen Consultant in Global Public Health and Retired Physiotherapist
Phillippi, Julia Professor of Nursing and Chair of Family Care Vanderbilt University School of Nursing
Salomons, Emilie Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine OAK Integrative Health
Spiby, Helen Lead, Maternal Health and Wellbeing Research Group, Professor in Midwifery, School of Health Sciences University of Nottingham
Tilden, Ellen Associate Professor, School of Nursing, Nurse-Midwifery Department, and School of Medicine, OBGYN Department Oregon Health and Science University
Weckend, Marina Postdoctoral Midwife Researcher, Edith Cowan University

Advancing the Science of Physiologic Birth Research Cluster


E-mail contact@scienceofbirth.ca

Research Excellence Clusters at UBC Vancouver is a joint initiative of the Provost and Vice-President, Academic, UBC Vancouver and the Vice-President, Research and Innovation. Funding support for the clusters is provided by Academic Excellence Funds – UBC Vancouver.

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