title: Research summaries for normal birth.
abstract: In this column, the author summarizes four research studies relevant to normal birth. The topics of the studies include the clinical and behavioral benefits of skin-to-skin contact after birth; the effect of a group model of prenatal care on preterm birth risk and breastfeeding success; the harmful effects of a brief interval of electronic fetal monitoring at hospital admission; and barriers to access to midwifery care.
authors.affiliation: AMY ROMANO is a certified nurse-midwife and author. She is also the Perinatal Research and Advocacy Coordinator for the Lamaze Institute for Normal Birth ( www.lamaze.org ).
authors.forename: Amy M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Romano