Birthing Spirit

Third Stage is the birth of the placenta, which in hospitals and birth centres is managed with an oxytocic, early clamping (although in some places this is changing – finally!) and controlled cord traction. This is called “active management”. A natural third stage is called “physiological management”. Knowing this makes scouring the net for info a bit easier!

Like breech, this is a complex issue which is all mixed up with confusing and conflicting info and you need to do a bit of reading AND use your intuition to get a good grasp of the issues. One of my favourites is Dr.Sarah Buckley’s article Leaving well alone: A natural approach to the third stage of labour

Sarah is currently running an online workshop series: Gentle Birth: the science and wisdom

Below you will find links to the research that are the reasons that third stage is actively managed in hospitals, as well as links to commentaries on this research (the important part!) and another site with FAQs and other useful info.

• Bristol Trial
• Dr John Stevenson’s commentary on the Bristol Trial
• Dr John Stevenson on Third Stage and more
• Third Stage of Labour

There is lots more out there so google away if thats your style, or chat to your midwife…or trust in birth and life – whatever rocks your boat

Blessings,

Heatherx