Human milk immune factors, maternal nutritional status, and infant sex: The INSPIRE study.

OBJECTIVES: Breastfeeding is an energetically costly and intense form of human parental investment, providing sole-source nutrition in early infancy and bioactive components, including immune factors. Given the energetic cost of lactation, milk factors may be subject to tradeoffs, and variation in concentrations have been explored utilizing the Trivers-Willard hypothesis. As human milk immune factors are critical to developing immune system and protect infants against pathogens, we tested whether concentrations of milk immune factors (IgA, IgM, IgG, EGF, TGFß2, and IL-10) vary in response to infant sex and maternal condition (proxied by maternal diet diversity [DD] and body mass index [BMI]) as posited in the Trivers-Willard hypothesis and consider the application of the hypothesis to milk composition. METHODS: We analyzed concentrations of immune factors in 358 milk samples collected from women residing in 10 international sites using linear mixed-effects models to test for an interaction between maternal condition, including population as a random effect and infant age and maternal age as fixed effects. RESULTS: IgG concentrations were significantly lower in milk produced by women consuming diets with low diversity with male infants than those with female infants. No other significant associations were identified. CONCLUSIONS: IgG concentrations were related to infant sex and maternal diet diversity, providing minimal support for the hypothesis. Given the lack of associations across other select immune factors, results suggest that the Trivers-Willard hypothesis may not be broadly applied to human milk immune factors as a measure of maternal investment, which are likely buffered against perturbations in maternal condition.

Variation in Human Milk Composition Is Related to Differences in Milk and Infant Fecal Microbial Communities.

Previously published data from our group and others demonstrate that human milk oligosaccharide (HMOs), as well as milk and infant fecal microbial profiles, vary by geography. However, little is known about the geographical variation of other milk-borne factors, such as lactose and protein, as well as the associations among these factors and microbial community structures in milk and infant feces. Here, we characterized and contrasted concentrations of milk-borne lactose, protein, and HMOs, and examined their associations with milk and infant fecal microbiomes in samples collected in 11 geographically diverse sites. Although geographical site was strongly associated with milk and infant fecal microbiomes, both sample types assorted into a smaller number of community state types based on shared microbial profiles. Similar to HMOs, concentrations of lactose and protein also varied by geography. Concentrations of HMOs, lactose, and protein were associated with differences in the microbial community structures of milk and infant feces and in the abundance of specific taxa. Taken together, these data suggest that the composition of human milk, even when produced by relatively healthy women, differs based on geographical boundaries and that concentrations of HMOs, lactose, and protein in milk are related to variation in milk and infant fecal microbial communities.

A Swedish register-based study exploring primary postpartum hemorrhage in 405 936 full term vaginal births between 2005 and 2015.

OBJECTIVE: To explore diagnoses of postpartum haemorrhage following vaginal birth, in relation to socio-demographic and obstetrical data from women who gave birth at term, in Sweden, during the years 2005-2015. STUDY DESIGN: A register-based cohort study was carried out, describing and comparing socio-demographic variables, obstetric variables and infant variables in 52 367 cases of diagnosed postpartum haemorrhage compared to 353 569 controls without a postpartum haemorrhage diagnosis. Postpartum hemorrhage was identified in The Swedish Medical Birth Register by ICD-10 code O72. Variables for maternal characteristics were dichotomized and used to calculate odds ratios to find possible explanatory variables for postpartum haemorrhage. RESULTS: Between 2005 and 2015 there was no statistically significant decrease in diagnoses of postpartum haemorrhage after vaginal birth at term. Primiparity was associated with the highest risk and women birthing their fifth or subsequent child were associated with the lowest risk of postpartum hemorrhage. Increased maternal age (> 35 years) and/or obesity (BMI > 30) were associated with higher odds of postpartum haemorrhage. The risk of postpartum hemorrhage was 55 % higher when vaginal birth followed induction as compared to vaginal birth after spontaneous onset. Some of the factors known to be associated with postpartum haemorrhage were poorly documented in The Swedish Medical Birth Register. CONCLUSIONS: Birthing women in a Swedish contemporary setting are, despite efforts to improve care, still at risk of birth being complicated by postpartum haemorrhage. Primiparity, increasing maternal age and/or obesity are found to provoke an increased risk and the reasons for these findings need to be further investigated. However, grand multi-parity did not increase the risk for postpartum hemorrhage. Codes for diagnoses require correct documentation in the birth records: only when local statistics are sound and correctly reported can intrapartum care be improved, and the incidence of postpartum haemorrhage reduced.

Corrigendum: What's Normal? Microbiomes in Human Milk and Infant Feces Are Related to Each Other but Vary Geographically: The INSPIRE Study.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2019.00045.].

What's Normal? Microbiomes in Human Milk and Infant Feces Are Related to Each Other but Vary Geographically: The INSPIRE Study.

Background: Microbial communities in human milk and those in feces from breastfed infants vary within and across populations. However, few researchers have conducted cross-cultural comparisons between populations, and little is known about whether certain "core" taxa occur normally within or between populations and whether variation in milk microbiome is related to variation in infant fecal microbiome. The purpose of this study was to describe microbiomes of milk produced by relatively healthy women living at diverse international sites and compare these to the fecal microbiomes of their relatively healthy infants. Methods: We analyzed milk (n = 394) and infant feces (n = 377) collected from mother/infant dyads living in 11 international sites (2 each in Ethiopia, The Gambia, and the US; 1 each in Ghana, Kenya, Peru, Spain, and Sweden). The V1-V3 region of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene was sequenced to characterize and compare microbial communities within and among cohorts. Results: Core genera in feces were Streptococcus, Escherichia/Shigella, and Veillonella, and in milk were Streptococcus and Staphylococcus, although substantial variability existed within and across cohorts. For instance, relative abundance of Lactobacillus was highest in feces from rural Ethiopia and The Gambia, and lowest in feces from Peru, Spain, Sweden, and the US; Rhizobium was relatively more abundant in milk produced by women in rural Ethiopia than all other cohorts. Bacterial diversity also varied among cohorts. For example, Shannon diversity was higher in feces from Kenya than Ghana and US-California, and higher in rural Ethiopian than Ghana, Peru, Spain, Sweden, and US-California. There were limited associations between individual genera in milk and feces, but community-level analyses suggest strong, positive associations between the complex communities in these sample types. Conclusions: Our data provide additional evidence of within- and among-population differences in milk and infant fecal bacterial community membership and diversity and support for a relationship between the bacterial communities in milk and those of the recipient infant's feces. Additional research is needed to understand environmental, behavioral, and genetic factors driving this variation and association, as well as its significance for acute and chronic maternal and infant health.

A survey of contemporary antenatal parental education in Sweden: What is offered to expectant parents and midwives' experiences.

OBJECTIVE: To explore how antenatal parental education is provided in southern Sweden and midwives' experiences of it. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey with data collection from 66 antenatal clinics and 189 midwives during 2016. Descriptive and comparative statistics, chi-square and t-tests, were used to present the findings. RESULTS: Antenatal parental education was most commonly offered in small parental groups and the number of hours provided varied between two and ten (mean 5.8) hours. A common and structured program for the sessions was used at 37.3% of the clinics. Normal birth, pain relief, partner role during birth, breastfeeding advantages and breastfeeding initiation were the topics most extensively covered. Topic coverage was in 12 topics, mostly related to the time after birth, lower than midwives' rated importance of the topic: p-values between 0.05 and <0.01. Only 14.2% of the midwives often provided guidance to websites. Although midwives enjoyed working with antenatal parental education, they expressed lack of organizational support and lack of personal skills in group leadership and teaching. Years of experience did not significantly affect their self-rated skills in group leadership or teaching. CONCLUSION: These results contribute to knowledge about contemporary antenatal parental education in Sweden. Our results showed that antenatal parental education is not always in accordance with parents' expectations, especially concerning early parenthood and guidance on the internet. To provide antenatal parental education tailored to the needs of expectant parents it is vital to develop evidence-based guidelines and to address midwives' needs for improved skills in group leadership and teaching.

Household composition and the infant fecal microbiome: The INSPIRE study.

OBJECTIVES: Establishment and development of the infant gastrointestinal microbiome (GIM) varies cross-culturally and is thought to be influenced by factors such as gestational age, birth mode, diet, and antibiotic exposure. However, there is little data as to how the composition of infants' households may play a role, particularly from a cross-cultural perspective. Here, we examined relationships between infant fecal microbiome (IFM) diversity/composition and infants' household size, number of siblings, and number of other household members. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analyzed 377 fecal samples from healthy, breastfeeding infants across 11 sites in eight different countries (Ethiopia, The Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Peru, Spain, Sweden, and the United States). Fecal microbial community structure was determined by amplifying, sequencing, and classifying (to the genus level) the V1-V3 region of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene. Surveys administered to infants' mothers identified household members and composition. RESULTS: Our results indicated that household composition (represented by the number of cohabitating siblings and other household members) did not have a measurable impact on the bacterial diversity, evenness, or richness of the IFM. However, we observed that variation in household composition categories did correspond to differential relative abundances of specific taxa, namely: Lactobacillus, Clostridium, Enterobacter, and Klebsiella. DISCUSSION: This study, to our knowledge, is the largest cross-cultural study to date examining the association between household composition and the IFM. Our results indicate that the social environment of infants (represented here by the proxy of household composition) may influence the bacterial composition of the infant GIM, although the mechanism is unknown. A higher number and diversity of cohabitants and potential caregivers may facilitate social transmission of beneficial bacteria to the infant gastrointestinal tract, by way of shared environment or through direct physical and social contact between the maternal-infant dyad and other household members. These findings contribute to the discussion concerning ways by which infants are influenced by their social environments and add further dimensionality to the ongoing exploration of social transmission of gut microbiota and the "old friends" hypothesis.

"I Didn't Know What to Ask About": First-Time Mothers' Conceptions of Prenatal Preparation for the Early Parenthood Period.

The aim of this phenomenographic study was to describe first-time mothers' conceptions of prenatal preparation for the early parenthood period in relation to their experiences of early parenthood. Eighteen first-time mothers were interviewed approximately 1 month after giving birth. The categories identified in the analysis were: accessing appropriate sources of support, gaining knowledge to form realistic expectations, and mobilizing and strengthening personal resources. First-time mothers want health professionals to actively address postnatal issues as they have difficulties in knowing prenatally what knowledge will prepare them for early parenthood. Both professional and peer support during pregnancy were conceived as important for gaining knowledge. Professionals can support by guidance to reliable sources of information and encouraging personal reflections and partner communication.

Deep breast pain during lactation: a case-control study in Sweden investigating the role of Candida albicans.

BACKGROUND: Deep breast pain during lactation, with or without accompanying nipple pain and soreness continues to be anecdotally linked to infection by Candia albicans despite lack of robust evidence in the literature that Candida albicans is the cause of women's breast symptoms. METHODS: A case-control study of breastfeeding women in Sweden with (n 35) and without (n 35) symptoms that may be attributable to Candida albicans was carried out. The symptoms were radiating, burning and penetrating or non-penetrating breast pain with or without associated nipple pain during or after breastfeeding. The primary aim of the study was to test the hypothesis that breastfeeding women with symptoms commonly associated with Candida albicans infection will have a growth of Candida albicans in their breast milk significantly more often than women without these symptoms. A secondary aim was comparison of breastfeeding self-efficacy, measured by the BSES-SF (Breastfeeding Self Efficacy Scale -Short Form), between cases and controls. RESULTS: None of the women in the control group and eight of the women in the case group showed a growth of Candida albicans in their breast milk (p <  0.01), which confirms the hypothesis. There were no statistically significant differences in severity or type of symptoms between those in the case group with and without growth of Candida albicans in their breast milk. Results of the BSES-SF measurement showed no statistically significant differences between cases and controls. However, when analyses were stratified for parity, multiparous controls showed statistically significant higher scores for breastfeeding self-efficacy than multiparous cases. CONCLUSIONS: Neither clinical symptoms nor microbial cultivation appear to be reliable means for making a diagnosis of Candida albicans infection of the breast. Skilled breastfeeding consultants should offer support and help with positioning, attachment and identification of physical impediments to successful breastfeeding. Professionals should be aware that it is possible that uncertainty in the breastfeeding situation may to some extent account for mothers' breast symptoms. The ISRCTN (International Standard Randomised Controlled Trial Number) identity for this case-control study is ISRCTN88839993. The study was retrospectively registered on 30 November 2016.

Midwifery students' experiences of learning through the use of written reflections - An interview study.

In an effort to strengthen midwifery students' learning process, written reflections during the students' clinical practice at birth units have been applied. The aim of this study was to examine how students of midwifery experienced the writing of daily reflections on their practice at birthing units. An interview study was carried out using an inductive method with descriptive design. During 2013 (n = 12) and 2014 (n = 7), respondents were recruited from two cohorts of midwifery students (n = 19) at a university in southern Sweden. Narrative interviews were carried out. The interviews were analysed with thematic content analysis. One theme including four categories emerged from the analysis. The theme was "An educational strategy for the present and the future". The four categories were "Towards personal and professional development", "Reflection requires effort", "Supervisors' commitment" and "Clarification of the rationale". Daily written reflections are useful for students' personal and professional development during clinical practice/placement. In order for the reflections to be used optimally, students must be given clear instructions on the purpose of their use and be given enough time to write them. Furthermore, supervisors must provide constructive feedback on the students' written reflections.

Gaining hope and self-confidence-An interview study of women's experience of treatment by art therapy for severe fear of childbirth.

BACKGROUND: Fear of childbirth is a serious problem that can have negative effects on both women and babies and to date treatment options are limited. The aim of this study was to elucidate the experience of undergoing art therapy in women with severe fear of childbirth. METHOD: Nineteen women residing in Sweden, who had undergone art therapy for severe fear of childbirth, were interviewed during 2011-2013 about their experiences of the treatment. All women had received both support from a specialist team of midwives and treatment by an art therapist who was also a midwife. The women were interviewed three months after giving birth. The transcribed interviews were analysed with a phenomenological hermeneutical method. FINDINGS: A main theme and three themes emerged from the analysis. The main theme was Gaining hope and self confidence. The three themes were; Carrying heavy baggage, Creating images as a catalyst for healing and Gaining new insights and abilities. Through the use of images and colours the women gained access to difficult emotions and the act of painting helped them visualize these emotions and acted as a catalyst for the healing process. DISCUSSION: Art therapy was well accepted by the women. Through sharing their burden of fear by creating visible images, they gained hope and self-confidence in the face of their impending childbirth. CONCLUSION: The results may contribute to knowledge about the feasibility of treating fear of childbirth by art therapy.

What's Normal? Immune Profiling of Human Milk from Healthy Women Living in Different Geographical and Socioeconomic Settings.

Human milk provides a very wide range of nutrients and bioactive components, including immune factors, human milk oligosaccharides, and a commensal microbiota. These factors are essential for interconnected processes including immunity programming and the development of a normal infant gastrointestinal microbiome. Newborn immune protection mostly relies on maternal immune factors provided through milk. However, studies dealing with an in-depth profiling of the different immune compounds present in human milk and with the assessment of their natural variation in healthy women from different populations are scarce. In this context, the objective of this work was the detection and quantification of a wide array of immune compounds, including innate immunity factors (IL1ß, IL6, IL12, INFγ, TNFα), acquired immunity factors (IL2, IL4, IL10, IL13, IL17), chemokines (IL8, Groα, MCP1, MIP1ß), growth factors [IL5, IL7, epidermal growth factor (EGF), granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor, TGFß2], and immunoglobulins (IgA, IgG, IgM), in milk produced by healthy women of different ethnicities living in different geographic, dietary, socioeconomic, and environmental settings. Among the analyzed factors, IgA, IgG, IgM, EGF, TGFß2, IL7, IL8, Groα, and MIP1ß were detected in all or most of the samples collected in each population and, therefore, this specific set of compounds might be considered as the "core" soluble immune factors in milk produced by healthy women worldwide. This approach may help define which immune factors are (or are not) common in milk produced by women living in various conditions, and to identify host, lifestyle, and environmental factors that affect the immunological composition of this complex biological fluid. Clinical Trial Registration: www.ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier NCT02670278.

First-time fathers experiences of their prenatal preparation in relation to challenges met in the early parenthood period: Implications for early parenthood preparation.

OBJECTIVE: to describe first-time fathers experiences of their prenatal preparation in relation to challenges met in the early parenthood period. DESIGN: a qualitative study was conducted and data was analysed with a phenomenographical approach. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: 15 first-time fathers were recruited from three postnatal units in southern Sweden and interviewed approximately one month after their baby was born. MEASUREMENTS AND FINDINGS: three categories and 14 conceptions about fathers' experiences of their preparation emerged from the data. 'Acquiring knowledge and forming realistic expectations' was essential for 'Developing strategies' and 'Being facilitated and supported' enhanced these processes. KEY CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: supporting fathers to develop strategies for life with a new baby and providing expert guidance to fruitful and accurate information may help the construction of a fatherhood identity and strengthen the fatherhood role. The findings can be used to develop a parental preparation for early parenthood that will correspond to fathers' needs.

What's normal? Oligosaccharide concentrations and profiles in milk produced by healthy women vary geographically.

Background: Human milk is a complex fluid comprised of myriad substances, with one of the most abundant substances being a group of complex carbohydrates referred to as human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs). There has been some evidence that HMO profiles differ in populations, but few studies have rigorously explored this variability.Objectives: We tested the hypothesis that HMO profiles differ in diverse populations of healthy women. Next, we examined relations between HMO and maternal anthropometric and reproductive indexes and indirectly examined whether differences were likely related to genetic or environmental variations.Design: In this cross-sectional, observational study, milk was collected from a total of 410 healthy, breastfeeding women in 11 international cohorts and analyzed for HMOs by using high-performance liquid chromatography.Results: There was an effect of the cohort (P < 0.05) on concentrations of almost all HMOs. For instance, the mean 3-fucosyllactose concentration was >4 times higher in milk collected in Sweden than in milk collected in rural Gambia (mean ± SEM: 473 ± 55 compared with 103 ± 16 nmol/mL, respectively; P < 0.05), and disialyllacto-N-tetraose (DSLNT) concentrations ranged from 216 ± 14 nmol/mL (in Sweden) to 870 ± 68 nmol/mL (in rural Gambia) (P < 0.05). Maternal age, time postpartum, weight, and body mass index were all correlated with several HMOs, and multiple differences in HMOs [e.g., lacto-N-neotetrose and DSLNT] were shown between ethnically similar (and likely genetically similar) populations who were living in different locations, which suggests that the environment may play a role in regulating the synthesis of HMOs.Conclusions: The results of this study support our hypothesis that normal HMO concentrations and profiles vary geographically, even in healthy women. Targeted genomic analyses are required to determine whether these differences are due at least in part to genetic variation. A careful examination of sociocultural, behavioral, and environmental factors is needed to determine their roles in this regard. This study was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT02670278.

Diagnostic methods for mastitis in cows are not appropriate for use in humans: commentary.

Healthcare workers are now being targeted for marketing of diagnostic tools for mastitis that were developed for the dairy industry and which aim to provide information regarding choice of antibiotic treatment. Meanwhile, scientists are striving to understand how the human microbiome affects health and wellbeing and the importance of maintenance of bacterial balance in the human body. Breast milk supplies a multitude of bacteria to populate the baby's intestinal tract and kick-start the immune system. Researchers propose a paradigm shift in the understanding of bacterial content in breast milk and an alternative paradigm for the understanding of lactational mastitis: there is the beginning of evidence that many cases of lactational mastitis will resolve spontaneously. An international group of researchers is attempting to answer how dietary habits, birth mode, genetics and environmental factors may impact the bacterial content of breast milk. Until we have more comprehensive knowledge about the human milk microbiome, diagnostic aids for identification of women in need of antibiotic therapy for mastitis remain unreliable. Diagnostic aids could lead to the injudicious use of antibiotic therapy, which in turn may rob the infant of bacteria valuable for development of its immune system. The marketing of diagnostic aids for use in human medicine, that were originally developed for use in cows, is neither evidence-based nor good ethical practice.

Midwifery competence: Content in midwifery students' daily written reflections on clinical practice.

OBJECTIVE: to examine the content in midwifery students' written daily reflections and in their supervisors' written feedback during clinical practice at birth units. METHOD: a total of 388 reflections written by a cohort of 18 midwifery students and written feedback provided by their supervisors have been analysed using content analysis. FINDINGS: one main category, transition to midwifery competence emerged and was interpreted as a process of development in midwifery skills over time. This main category encompasses five categories: evaluations, own actions, communication, own emotions and insights comprising fourteen subcategories. As the education programme progressed there was evidence of development from fragmented reflections about care and learning to holistic reflections on learning. Comments from the clinical supervisors contained acknowledgement of the students' reflections or comments with a didactic content. CONCLUSIONS: daily written reflections on practice may be a useful pedagogical tool as reflective writing helps students to be active in transition to midwifery competence. Professional development may be facilitated by insights generated by reflection. Amount and content of feedback varied between supervisors which can result in a discrepancy in pedagogical value for individual students.

Treatment of Provoked Vulvodynia in a Swedish cohort using desensitization exercises and cognitive behavioral therapy.

BACKGROUND: Problems related to pain during vaginal penetration are complex and the etiology is multi-factorial. It was the aim of the present study to measure whether treatment using desensitization exercises and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for women with provoked vulvodynia (PVD) could increase sexual interest, sexual satisfaction and response whilst decreasing experiences of sexual pain. METHODS AND OUTCOME MEASURES: Sixty women suffering from PVD were treated during a 10-week period with a combination of mucosal desensitization and pelvic floor exercises and CBT. The McCoy Female Sexuality Questionnaire (MFSQ) was used to measure efficacy of the treatment. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) was used to measure psychological distress. The primary outcome measurements were changes in scores for the MFSQ and changes in individual items on the MFSQ directly after treatment completion. Secondary outcome measurements were changes in the MFSQ items 6 months after treatment and changes in HADS sub-scales 6 months after treatment. Statistical comparisons of answers to the MFSQ were carried out using the Wilcoxon signed rank test (paired). Validity of the MFSQ in this study was measured by testing one global question about sexuality and total scores on MFSQ using Spearman's correlation test. RESULTS: Study participants reported a statistically significant increase in sexual fantasies, increased sexual pleasure, excitement and vaginal lubrication after treatment was completed. PVD occurred less often which resulted in significantly less avoidance of sexual intercourse, increased frequency of masturbation and intercourse. All improvements were sustained at 6 months after treatment ended. Two questions showed no significant changes, these pertained to the individual's contentment with her partner as a lover and a friend. The anxiety sub-scale of the HADS showed a significantly decreased level of anxiety at 6 months follow-up but no change in the scores on the depression sub-scale. CONCLUSION: Treatment for PVD using desensitization exercises and cognitive behavioral therapy significantly improved sexual interest, response and activity and decreased the experience of pain. Larger studies and RCTs are required in order to draw conclusions about treatment and long term effects should be studied. Partners should be encouraged to participate in treatment regimes. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The study is registered with ISRCTN registry, ID ISRCTN40416405.

Analysis of midwifery students' written reflections to evaluate progression in learning during clinical practice at birthing units.

Written daily reflections during clinical practice on birthing units have been used during several years in midwifery education at Lund University, Sweden. However, the usefulness of these reflections for evaluation of progression in learning and professional development of students has to date not been evaluated. In order to analyse written reflections, two taxonomies developed by Bloom and Pettersen have been applied to the texts. Progression in the professional development of midwifery students can be seen through levels of complexity in cognitive and psycho-motor learning areas and also in the description of learning situations. Progression can be seen from a basic description of facts in simple situations at the beginning of the students' practice to a complex description of complicated situations towards the end of the practice. Written daily reflections appear to be a suitable method to help students to reflect in a structured way, thereby helping their professional development. Reflections can help clinical supervisors to understand the needs of the individual student and to support their knowledge accruement. Daily written reflections on clinical practice can be of use in other health education programs.

Sense and sensibility: Swedish midwives' ambiguity to the use of synthetic oxytocin for labour augmentation.

The use of intravenous artificial oxytocin for augmentation of labour is very common in midwifery care in Sweden. Studies have shown that oxytocin is often administered to women in labour who have no signs of labour dystocia. It was the aim of this study to examine Swedish midwives' views on and experiences of labour augmentation in the context of normal labour. Individual interviews were carried out with 15 midwives from southern Sweden. The material was analysed using qualitative content analysis, which resulted in one theme: sense and sensibility and four main categories: permissible situations, motivating the decision, intervening in the birth process and iatrogenic awareness. The results showed that midwives expressed ambiguity about augmentation of labour. They were of the opinion that oxytocin was used very often and sometimes unnecessarily. There is awareness that interventions to augment labour can result in undesirable effects on the birth process. Despite this, deeper discussion of this problem was avoided in the interviews. Further research should focus on the process involved when midwives weigh pros and cons when deciding to augment labour. More knowledge is also needed about the barriers for optimal care in labour that are inherent in health-care systems.