ROBuST: RCOG Assisted Birth Simulation Training: Course Manual

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.

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 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 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 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 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.