Robust. RCOG Assisted Birth Simulation Training

List of Contributors
Preface
List of Abbreviations
1. Trends in assisted vaginal birth and future practice Stephen O'Brien, George Attilakos, Kim Hinshaw and Dimitrios Siassakos
2. Indications and assessment for assisted vaginal birth Deirdre Murphy and Meenakshi Ramphul
3. Non-technical skills Rachna Bahl and Bryony Strachan
4. Vacuum-assisted birth Glen Mola, Stephen O'Brien and Aldo Vacca
5. Non-rotational forceps delivery Kim Hinshaw and Shilpa Mahadasu
6. Rotational forceps Karl Oláh
7. Caesarean section at full cervical dilatation Patrick O'Brien and Sadia Bhatti
8. Medico-legal aspects of assisted vaginal birth (AVB) Milena Petrovic, Dimitrios Siassakos and Derek Tuffnell
9. Analgesia and anaesthesia for assisted vaginal birth Rowena Pykett, George Bugg and David Levy
Index.

Assisted vaginal birth (AVB) remains a key aspect of respectful, effective care for women in labour. In trained hands, it is associated with better maternal and neonatal outcomes than the alternative of a caesarean section in late labour. Written to accompany the RCOG Assisted Birth Simulation Training (ROBuST) course, this book provides guidance on the only RCOG-approved, evidence-based techniques for when and how to perform AVB and complex caesarean sections. There are clear descriptions of techniques, plus photographs, diagrams and videos to improve learning. Internationally recognised contributors discuss all aspects of assisted birth, including vacuum and forceps-assisted birth; caesarean section at full dilatation; safe and effective practice of Kielland's forceps; and essential non-technical skills. This second edition includes chapters on providing care within the medico-legal context of modern obstetric practice and on exploring the worldwide trends in AVB. This remains a much-valued, and much-consulted, part of any accoucheur's library.

• The text has been written to accompany the course but the content is also useful as a stand-alone read for all obstetric trainees
• Chapters by internationally renowned experts give readers the information they need to learn and apply best-practice
• Explains the rationale for each type of instrumental birth and gives real world examples of where they could be chosen, allowing readers to build mental models for what they should use and when
• Gives clear guidance on how to explain options to women and practice within a medico-legal framework of UK legislation, helping practitioners maximise maternal choice and reduces liability to practitioners and their organisations
• Key learning points are identified clearly, and many illustrations, flowcharts and step-by-step instructions are included to aid learning

George Attilakos, University College London
George Attilakos is a Consultant in Obstetrics and Fetal Medicine at University College London Hospital with a special interest in multiple pregnancies, fetoscopy and fetal surgery. He led the first UK randomised trial of the Kiwi Omnicup and co-developed the ROBuST course for which he was the first RCOG Convenor. He is the clinical lead for obstetrics at UCLH and the lead obstetrician for the North Central London Local Maternity and Neonatal System.

Sharon Jordan, Southmead Hospital, Bristol
Sharon Jordan has been a Senior Delivery Suite Midwife in North Bristol NHS Trust for over 30 years. She has supervised, trained and mentored generations of obstetricians learning how to safely perform assisted vaginal births, and she has always promoted keeping women at the heart of any birth experience.

Michele Mohajer, Shropshire Women and Children’s Centre
Michele Mohajer is Consultant in Obstetrics and Fetal Medicine at the Shropshire Women & Children's Centre and the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital, Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust. Dr Mohajer is passionate about high-quality training in assisted vaginal birth and codeveloped the first simulation-based training package for OVB, approved by the RCOG.

Glen Mola, University of Papua New Guinea
Glen Mola is Professor and Head of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Papua New Guinea. Professor Mola is former President of the Pacific Society for Reproductive Health and received the Order of Australia in 2023 for distinguished service to obstetrics and gynaecology, reproductive health research and medical education in the Pacific region. Professor Mola supervises an obstetric unit that cares for over 15,000 births per year and achieves the lowest perinatal mortality rate in the LMIC world.

Stephen O'Brien, University of Bristol
Stephen O'Brien is Consultant in Obstetrics and Fetal Medicine at Southmead Hospital, North Bristol NHS Trust. He is an international expert in assisted vaginal birth and is the current RCOG national lead for assisted birth training. In addition to completing a PhD in assisted birth, he has published original research, reviews and calls to action for better training, tracking and monitoring of assisted birth techniques.

Dimitrios Siassakos, University College London
Dimitrios Siassakos is Professor of Obstetrics at University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. He has led the development and dissemination of regional, national and global training courses to improve management of obstetric emergencies, operative birth (ROBUST, ART&CRAFT) and bereavement care (SUPPORT). He leads a comprehensive portfolio of research in stillbirth care and prevention, operative birth and technology enhanced care, with more than £40 m grants.