Laura Muir

Laura Muir, Midwife

Location: Ayrshire

Challenge: Induction of labour, posterior cervix, slow second stage

Solution: Side-lying release and hip squeeze

Place of birth: Midwifery suite

“The day after Molly taught us in Ayrshire I decided to try out some techniques with a lady I was on call for. It was her first baby and she had been admitted for induction of labour at 42 weeks. Her baby was ROL on palpation with the head engaged. I administered her second prostin tablet and her bishop score was unchanged at three. Cervix very posterior and deviated to the side. I performed the side-lying release for 10 mins either side. Afterwards her abdomen looked a much more longitudinal shape which her husband commented on. She found it very comfortable. I left expecting not to be called until the next day. I was called in three and half hours later when the woman had been transferred to our midwifery suite. Her baby was born approximately two hours later. The woman told me that she had sustained an injury to her back and coccyx in her teens and I wonder whether the side release contributed to improved positioning of baby and pelvis. I also performed the hip squeeze when advancement of the baby’s head was slow in the second stage after a rapid first stage. The head then rotated and advanced, and a beautiful baby girl arrived finally. I will definitely practise biomechanical techniques antenatally in future!”