title: Reducing genital tract trauma at birth: launching a clinical trial in midwifery.
abstract: Genital tract trauma is a common outcome of vaginal birth, and can cause short-term and long-term problems for new mothers. Preventive measures have not been fully explicated. Midwives use a variety of hand maneuvers late in the second stage of labor, in the belief that genital trauma can be reduced. However, none of these care measures have been rigorously tested to determine if they are effective. A midwifery practice offers an ideal setting to study the relationship of hand techniques by the birth attendant to reduction of genital tract trauma.
authors.affiliation: College of Nursing, University of New Mexico, Nursing/Pharmacy Building Room 216, Albuquerque, NM 87131-5688, USA.
authors.forename: Leah L
authors.initials: LL
authors.lastname: Albers
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001720:Birth Injuries / Q000451:nursing; D018849:Controlled Clinical Trials as Topic / Q000379:methods; D036861:Delivery, Obstetric / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D005836:Genitalia, Female / Q000293:injuries*; D006801:Humans; D008880:Midwifery / Q000379:methods*; D009721:Nurse Midwives / Q000592:standards*; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D007744:Obstetric Labor Complications / Q000209:etiology* / Q000451:nursing; D011247:Pregnancy; D011644:Puerperal Disorders / Q000451:nursing*; D012107:Research Design; D014481:United States