These leaflets summarise the most reliable research evidence available, and have been extensively peer reviewed by international experts. The Informed Choice leaflets are produced by MIDIRS (the Midwives Information and Resource Service). Each leaflet is updated every two years to include the most up-to-date research evidence and new developments in maternity care. Informed Choice is supported by the Royal College of Midwives (RCM) and the National Childbirth Trust (NCT).
This information is available as leaflets sent to you by post, or by downloading the information from the www.choicesforbirth.org website. There is a charge for this service, although you may be able to obtain some of the leaflets free from your midwife.
For more detailed research information on each topic, MIDIRS produce a Professionals leaflet which is fully referenced.
FOR WOMEN | FOR PROFESSIONALS |
W1. Support in Labour | P1. Support in Labour |
W2. Listening to your baby's heartbeat during labour | P2. Fetal heart rate monitoring in labour |
W3. Ultrasound scans - what you need to know | P3. Routine ultrasound scans in the first half of pregnancy |
W4. Alcohol and pregnancy | P4. Alcohol and pregnancy |
W5. Positions for labour and birth | P5. Positions in labour |
W6. Epidural pain relief in labour | P6. The use of epidural analgesia for women in labour |
W7. Feeding your baby - breast or bottle? | P7. Breastfeeding or bottle feeding |
W8. Is my baby alright? | P8. Antenatal screening for congenital abnormalities: helping women to choose |
W9. If your baby is in the breech position, what are your choices? | P9. Breech presentation |
W10. Where will you have your baby? | P10. Place of birth |
W11. Do you want a waterbirth? | P11. The use of water during childbirth |
W12. When your baby is overdue | P12. Prolonged pregnancy |
W13. Eating well - for your baby and for you | P13. Diet and nutrition during pregnancy |
W14. Non-epidural pain relief | P14. Non-epidural strategies for pain relief during labour |
W15. Caring for yourself and feeling well after you have had your baby | P15. Health and care after childbirth |
W16. How will your baby be born? | P16. Mode of delivery and events around the second stage of labour |
W17. Caesarean section and subsequent births | P17. Caesarean Section and VBAC (Vaginal Birth after caesarean) |
W18. Vitamin K for your baby | P18. Vitamin K - the debate and the evidence |
W19. Information for women who are Rhesus negative | P19. Prophylactic anti-D for Rhesus negative women |
W20. Mood changes after childbirth | P20. Postnatal depression |
W21. Sickle cell and thalassaemias in pregnancy | P21. Sickle cell and thalassaemia disorders - screening offered to mothers and babies |
W22. Sexual health and contraception before and after childbirth | P22. Sexual health and contraception |
W23. Anaemia - preventing, detecting and treatment in pregnancy and beyond | P23. Anaemia in pregnancy, birth and afterwards |
W24. Infections in pregnancy - prevention, detection and treatment | P24. Screening for infectious diseases in pregnancy |
W25. Health for parenthood - practical advice on how to maintain a healthy lifestyle for you and your baby | P25. Achieving optimal health for parenthood |