Table 5.

Midwives and obstetricians views on the need for more evidence to guide care during the third stage of labour

	Midwives n = 1297 (%)		Obstetricians n = 926 (%)
More evidence needed from randomised trials	1151	(89)	747	(81)
no response	4	(<1)	19	(2)
If more evidence needed, what do you think are the important questions?
when is best to clamp the cord	1032		655
is placental drainage beneficial	913		505
optimum timing for the prophylactic uterotonic drug	885		504
is controlled cord traction beneficial	766		361
other‡	98		32

^‡ Midwives: management of retained placenta n = 8; water births n = 3; management of third stage n = 64; which uterotonic is best n = 22; cord milking n = 1

Obstetricians: which uterotonic n = 14; management of retained placenta n = 10; management of third stage n = 6; cord milking n = 2