title: Is active management always necessary?
abstract: There is a conflict between the active management (AM) of labour and the woman-centred approach advocated by Changing Childbirth. AM assumes that all births are abnormal until proved normal, whereas midwives usually assume the opposite. There is evidence that AM can be ineffective in shortening labour. Midwives should consider alternative, non-medical approaches to active management.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Axten
mesh_terms: D036861:Delivery, Obstetric / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009721:Nurse Midwives; D018802:Patient-Centered Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D011247:Pregnancy