Hola Amy
Welcome to the site. Aha! hot topic! Womens hand held notes contain information on management of the 3rd stage. Women are encouraged to write a birth plan in their hand held notes and this should contain their perference for a phys or active mgt.
However, many women dont complete a birth plan and may just ask their midwife in antenatal clinic what they would advise. Most midwives refer them back to thier notes saying its thier choice based on the information in the notes.
In reality it often goes like this........... first stage of labour regular contractions, mum in pain, in between contractions midwife asks 'do you want the injection for the afterbirth at the end?' Most women either say Yes, I dont care it hurts or what does the injection do and where do you inject me;.
Its a common thread and pet hate of many midwives that women arent properly given informed choice on the 3rd stage. Ideally it should be discussed well in advance of labour and the choice made then, not in the middle of trying to have a baby!
Heres a few links that you may find informative. The NICE guidelines (Sept 2007) intrapartum care will have 3rd stage info.
http://www.nice.org.uk/CG55 http://www.thirdstageoflabour.org/index.html http://www.radmid.demon.co.uk/pph.htm
Hope that helps!