S.L. 458.4 Art. 6Commencement of labour.

At the commencement of labour, or as soon as she reaches the woman, the midwife shall wash the patient’s external genitals and the surrounding parts with soap and sterilised warm water and shall disinfect the same with an antiseptic solution. This disinfection shall be repeated -

(i) before an internal examination is made;

(ii) after the termination of labour;

(iii) before passing a catheter; and

(iv) when necessary, during the lying-in period. For this purpose, the midwife must on no account use ordinary sponges or flannels, but only aseptic cotton wool or clean pads soaked in antiseptic solution. No vaginal irrigations shall be given either before or after labour, except when ordered by a doctor.