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Decision making in modem obstetrics and perinatology is con­ trolled by a variety of different factors, but there is little doubt that in industrialized countries one of the most powerful single factors is the concern and fear of causing permanent brain damage in the unborn and newborn. The dramatic increase in the rates of abdom­ inal deliveries in many parts of the world is certainly rooted to a substantial part in the ~bstetrician's concern not so much about possible perinatal death, but more so about permanent brain dam­ age in surviving children. This trend has been accelerated by the increasing number of litigations in connection with brain damage observed in many societies. This problem itself has many aspects, but it seems evident that litigation - justified or unjustified - is one modem expression of the human and social tragedy inflicted on individuals and families by the birth of a brain-damaged child. The medical, social, and human importance of the problem is in sharp contrast to the relative lack of scientific knowledge avail­ able. This became very clear when the National Institutes of Health published the excellent review in 1985 on'Prenatal and Perinatal Factors Associated with Brain Disorders'and its editor, J. M.

Infertility, as with many aspects of medicine, is at the mercy of rapid technological advance. Many of these developments initially seem attractive to both clinicians and patients, but need to be rigorously assessed if their real value is to be understood and clinical practice is to develop. In this book issues of importance to the management of infertile patients are discussed. The gaps in our knowledge which prevent a better understanding of the condition are identified, and recent developments, both clinical and scientific, are subjected to peer review and discussion. An important feature of the book is an acceptance that training in infertility practice is a real problem. This is perceived not only by the practising clinicians, both doctors and nurses, but particularly by the clinical scientists, including embryologists, who now provide such an essential part of the service. Similarly the provision of the clinical service has been examined in detail from a variety of standpoints, in an attempt to make sensible recommendations which balance real need with limited resource. The book is based on the papers presented and discussed at the 25th RCOG Study Group held in April 1992. The discussion after each paper was civilised but uncompromising and forms an important part of this publication. The rapid processing of the written and recorded material by the staff at the RCOG, and particularly Miss Sally Barber, has ensured that the book has been produced while the issues are live, the reviews contemporary and the discussion relevant.

This book investigates the history of women's reproductive health in Ghana,arguing that between the 1920s and 1980s, it was largely driven by discourses ofdevelopment and population control rather than a concern for women's health orrights.Between the 1920s and 1980s, the choices that Ghanaian women maderegarding their reproductive health were defined by development policy andpractice. Spanning the colonial and immediate postcolonial periods, this bookdemonstrates that whilst the substance of development discourse shifted overtime, principles of development continued to be used to impact and legitimisereproductive health policy and practices well after independence. The bookexplores Ghana's pluralist health system, the introduction of maternal and childwelfare, the dominance of the Red Cross in Ghana's maternal and child healthlandscape, nationalist pronatalism and global population activism. In order tounderstand how global iterations of development and health policy impactedordinary lives in Ghana, the author uses evidence from multiple ‘levels,'includingprivate papers, national archives and records of international and transnationalorganisations. Providing balanced archival perspectives, the book includesextensive oral history interviews carried out with both rural Ghanaian women andtraditional birth attendants, as well as with midwives, doctors and family planningfieldworkers.This book will have an important impact on a number of historical fieldsincluding Ghanaian history, global health history, global histories of populationand family planning and histories of development. It will be of interest toresearchers and students in the history of public health, development, Africa,Ghana and gender.

This book is a collection of the latest data and papers on neurological disorders during pregnancy. These complicated and difficult conditions require a multi-disciplinary approach to treatment, which may either be surgical intervention or medical management. For women in the reproductive age group, the diagnosis of neurological disorders during pregnancy or post-partum creates further challenges Taking motivation from the Editor's successful management for pregnant cases with neurological disorders, this book is intended to guide the neurosurgical community towards better management of treating neurological disorders in pregnancy.

The examination for Membership of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (MRCOG) remains one of the most internationally recognised postgraduate examinations in the specialty. Over the years, the examination has evolved in keeping with changes in medical education; the Part 3 examination now consists of 14 tasks, each covering one of the 14 core modules in the curriculum and assessing specific skills which may include all or some of Information Gathering, Communication with Patients and Families, Communication with Colleagues, Patient Safety, and Applied Clinical Knowledge. This invaluable resource consists of analyses of different aspects of what is being tested, with general advice on how to prepare for the examination and discussion of the reasons why trainees fail the examination. There follow four sample ‘papers'of tasks; in each of them, attempts have been made to cover all 14 modules in the core curriculum. There is also an additional paper with random tasks to help with preparation.

This book addresses methodological aspects of epidemiological studies on maternal drug use in pregnancy. Discussing the existing sources of error and how they can produce incorrect conclusions, it examines various epidemiological techniques and assesses their strengths and weaknesses. These refer both to the identification of outcomes (with special emphasis on congenital malformations) and to the types of exposure (drug use). Further, the book discusses the problem of confounding and how to handle it, and provides a simple introduction to statistics. Special situations, e.g. different types of parental exposure, are examined. Lastly, the book discusses pharmacovigilance and the information problem, concluding with a short list of aspects to consider when one wants to evaluate a published paper in the field. Though the book is primarily intended for pharmacologists, gynecologists and obstetricians, it will benefit all doctors working in perinatal care.

The advent of assisted conception procedures such as in-vitro fertili­ sation (IVF) has provided the impetus for exploration of the factors that lead to the establishment of pregnancy. This collection of papers from leading research workers brings together current concepts of the processes which may be of importance in implantation. The complex signals from the embryo to the ovary, endometrium and myometrium are now being revealed through studies in both primates and other mammalian species. This book addresses the interrelationship of pituitary and ovarian hormones in controlling ovulation and the preparation of the intrauterine environment for implantation. Once fertilisation has occurred and trophoblast has formed, the next vital step is the production of materials which signal the presence of the pregnancy to the rest of the body. Trophoblastic proteins and other early-pregnancy factors are prime candidates for this role. Recent studies have emphasised the importance of the intrauterine environment in implantation. Specific secretory products of the endometrium have great potential in this process. The prostaglandins also play an essential part. Immunological adjustments are now considered a condition for the successful establishment of pregnancy. The possible use of immuno­ therapy in the treatment of recurrent abortion has highlighted interest in this area. The use of immunological techniques for contraception are in their infancy but offer much hope for the future.

In the past decade fetal heart rate monitoring has become a generally ac­ cepted method for fetal surveillance during pregnancy and labor. Although its importance has been doubted recently, I personally feel that this method has become an important obstetric tool. It has not only improved our knowledge about fetal behavior and fetal condition throughout gesta­ tion, but it has especially improved fetal surveillance during labor; the most dangerous period of human life has never been as safe as nowadays. The only people who can question the advantage of fetal heart rate moni­ toring are those who did not experience the period before fetal heart rate monitoring was generally introduced. The first paper on the history of fetal heart rate monitoring takes us back to the beginning of fetal surveillance and provides an introduction to the different aspects of fetal observation which are covered later in this volume. Common practices of fetal surveillance in different countries are discussed, and the paths that future developments will take are suggested. An outline of the physiological aspects of fetal heart rate regulation is fol­ lowed by discussion of the pathophysiology with which the obstetrician is very often confronted.

People are fascinated by stories of childbirth, and the sources to document maternity in Britain in the twentieth century are rich and varied. This book puts the history of maternity in England into its wider social context, highlighting areas of change and continuity, and charting the development of pregnancy and birth as it emerged from the shadows and became central to social debate. A Social History of Maternity and Childbirth considers the significance of the regulation and training of midwives and doctors, exploring important aspects of maternity care including efforts to tackle maternal deaths, the move of birth from home to hospital, and the rise of consumer groups. Using oral histories and women's memoirs, as well as local health records and contemporary reports and papers, this book explores the experiences of women and families, and includes the voices of women, midwives and doctors. Key themes are discussed throughout, including: the work and status of the midwife the place of birth pain relief ante- and post- natal care women's pressure groups high-tech versus low-tech political pressures. At a time when the midwifery profession, and the wider structure of maternity care, is a matter for popular and political debate, this book is a timely contribution. It will be an invaluable read for all those interested in maternity care in England.

In few areas of medicine is progress more spectacular than in the field of prenatal diagnosis. New clinical techniques such as chorion villus sampling, detailed ultrasound scanning and cordocentesis are being evaluated by obstetricians, and refinement of biochemical testing is widening the scope of maternal serum screening. In the laboratory, dramatic advances in molecular biology are occurring: families at risk of genetic disease can be investigated with gene probes, and preimplantation diagnosis of the embryo is now becom­ ing a reality. These technical advances have important ethical and practical implications, among which will be a further increase in public expectations of the standards required of antenatal services. Clini­ cians will need a high degree of skill to inform healthy women about the options for screening normal pregnancies, and to counsel high-risk women about the benefits and limitations of prenatal diagnosis. Obstetricians, scientists and health service managers will face the difficult task of deciding how prenatal diagnosis can be made available to women in a caring and cost-effective way. Recognising the rapid progress in this field, the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists made prenatal diagnosis the subject of its 23rd Study Group. An international panel of leading researchers, whose expertise ranged from molecular biology to philosophy, was invited to participate in a three day workshop, with time for in-depth discussion as well as the presentation of papers.

Urinary incontinence is a humiliating disability and a common problem in gynaecological clinics. In some centres specialised facilities are avail­ able for its investigation and treatment but in most hospitals the general gynaecologist has to manage this difficult condition. For both generalist and subspecialist it is timely to summarise advances in our knowledge of normal and abnormal micturition. Since 1973 the Royal College of Obstetrician's and Gynaecologists, through its Scientific Advisory Committee, has convened Study Groups on important growth areas in our specialty. The College invites an international panel of leading researchers to participate in a workshop, allowing time for in-depth discussion as well as the presentation of papers. It is hoped that this will produce not only an up-to-date sum­ mary of current knowledge but also a useful interaction between indi­ viduals and between specialties. This book is the result of the 21st Study Group, which was held in October 1989. The participants included urological and colorectal surgeons and a neurologist, as well as scientists and gynaecologists. The meeting began with sessions on basic science and advances in the investigation of the lower urinary tract, then covered voiding diffi­ culties, genuine stress incontinence and detrusor instability, before a final session on the relationship between urinary incontinence and ali­ mentary tract problems. The discussions formed an essential part of the meeting, and it is hoped that the lightly edited versions reproduced here will convey to the reader the stimulating atmosphere of the Study Group.

At the Mie International Symposium held in Japan in April 1994, leading scientists reviewed recent advances in the understanding of the contractile mechanism in smooth muscle. The present volume collects the papers presented at the symposium, summarizing the latest advances in smooth muscle function and emphasizing important components of the contraction-relaxation cycle. Topics include a discussion of the smooth muscle cell membrane, with emphasis on its ion channels; the regulation of cytosolic Ca2+ levels and the relationship to force in smooth muscle; aspects of the two key regulatory enzymes involved with myosin phosphorylation-dephosphorylation; the molecular basis for pharmacomechanical coupling in smooth muscle; developments in the basic contractile mechanisms involving the crossbridge cycle of tonic and phasic muscle; the role of myosin light chains; and many others. The approach is broad and presents contemporary opinions in pharmacology, physiology, and biochemistry as they relate to smooth muscle function. The book will appeal not only to those working in these disciplines, but to vascular clinicians, obstetric-gynecological physicians, and gastroenterologists as well.

A comprehensive, one-stop guide to gynecological health for busy clinicians The 13th edition of this gold standard for the assessment and management of gynecological health is updated with a broad trove of new evidence-based information to promote the highest standards of clinical practice. With contributions from expert practitioner/educators, this edition encompasses key guidelines reflecting the most current best practices, several new or updated chapters, and two features designed to facilitate student learning and enhance primary care---30 case studies with Q&A for 15 chapters and updated education templates for input into electronic health records. Guidelines are organized in concise outline format to promote easy access to commonly occurring gynecologic issues and clinical conditions. In addition to its value for clinicians specializing in the comprehensive care of women and individuals across the lifespan, this resource will be an asset to all graduate nursing programs preparing nurse practitioners in women's and gender-related health. New to the 13th Edition: Extensively revised clinical guidelines and appendices representing the most current evidence-based information from research and national organizations New chapters on care of sexual and gender minority individuals, adolescents, and older women; use of telehealth in gynecologic care; and women-specific pharmacology issues Updated content on substance abuse and misuse and on best practices developed during COVID 19 pandemic Enhanced mental health chapter focusing on pharmacological approaches Updated guidelines for STIs, vaginitis, and vaginosis and prevention and management of HPV-associated cancers with links to ASCCP for ongoing updates Guidelines for addressing vaccine hesitancy Guidelines for care of individuals who have experienced sexual assault Updated information on contraception, hormone therapy, menopause, and osteoporosis Case studies with Q&A to help students/practitioners translate information into practice Updated, customizable education templates for input into electronic health records with lay public-appropriate language Key Features: Evidence-based guidelines empirically proven to boost patient outcomes Outline format ensuring quick and easy access to essential information Online access to appendices presenting updated clinical resources, assessments, and screening tools Online access to case studies and health record education templates to facilitate student learning

A book for expectant parents. The baby learns more inside the mother's womb than we can imagine—and not only learns, but also feels, memorizes, responds, acts, recognizes, discriminates, and even begins to love. In these pages we will discover the importance of prenatal care related to the baby's psyche and the dyad, which is also developing during this period. The external employment of music can help in creating a stronger bond, showing how the baby communicates with the mother, how she transmits sensations to the child, and how these are recorded emotionally beforehand. This work also examines the effects of music on the baby, as well as how music can help during labor, birth, and the relationship established with both parents. In simple language, this book shares scientific and clinical information about prenatal stimulation, prenatal bonding, and communication between human beings before birth using music therapy.

CNM® and WHNP® Certification Review is designed to help you prepare for both the American Midwifery Certification Board (AMCB) CNM®/CM® exam and the National Certification Corporation (NCC) WHNP-BC® exam. This comprehensive resource begins with test-taking strategies and tips on how to manage test anxiety. Chapters are organized according to the exam blueprints and present the information in a clear, concise format. Charts and diagrams are featured to consolidate and illustrate key points and key pharmacology information is highlighted. Each chapter encompasses all the essential knowledge required to pass both exams and includes end-of-chapter questions to assess knowledge retention. The review concludes with two full-length practice tests, one for each certification. With a total of 400 unique practice questions, detailed review content and answer rationales, this resource gives you the tools to study your way and the confidence to pass the first time, guaranteed! Key Features Reflects the latest AMCB and NCC exam blueprints Provides a comprehensive yet concise review of essential knowledge for the exam Covers essential pharmacology content and key medications Highlights key details about diversity, equity, outreach, and inclusion as well as the historical factors that led to health discrepancies Includes end-of-chapter Q&A and two full-length practice tests with detailed rationales Boosts your confidence with a 100% pass guarantee For 70 years, it has been our greatest privilege to prepare busy nurses like you for professional certification and career success. Congratulations on qualifying to sit for the exam. Now let's get you ready to pass! CNM® and CM® are registered service marks of the American Midwifery Certification Board. WHNP-BC® is a registered service mark of the National Certification Corporation. Neither AMCB nor NCC sponsor or endorse this resource, nor do they have a proprietary relationship with Springer Publishing.

This book investigates the experiences of women in Zimbabwe facing COVID-19 and gender-based violence, arguing that the insights from this extremely tough period could be used as a springboard for positive legal, cultural and policy changes. In 2020, COVID-19 caught the world by surprise, and often the socio-cultural factors impacting the treatment and care of those infected by the virus were not fully considered. In Zimbabwe, the socially constructed role of women as caregivers left them particularly vulnerable. Not only this, but COVID-19 lockdowns coincided with particularly high levels of sexual exploitation and gender-based violence, with women again comprising the majority of victims. Authors in this book analyse the pandemic experiences of women in Zimbabwe, both in the workplace or in the home, with the hope of fostering positive cultural change, and sensitising policy-makers to the need for legislation that protects women in moments of disasters. The important lessons and discussion points raised by this book will be important to policymakers both within Zimbabwe and beyond, and to researchers working on gender, public health, philosophy, sociology, and politics in Africa.

Dit boek biedt een rijk geïllustreerd overzicht van alle aspecten van echoscopie binnen de verloskunde en gynaecologie. Al sinds jaren is dit boek vanwege zijn didactische opzet de standaard voor gynaecologen (i.o.), verloskundigen (i.o.) en echoscopisten (i.o) en is daarmee een belangrijk en breed gewaardeerd naslagwerk. Het innovatieve karakter van de echoscopie maakt deze zesde, geheel herziene editie noodzakelijk. Zeer veel afbeeldingen zijn daarom vernieuwd, zodat ze voldoen aan de huidige standaarden voor hoogwaardige echoscopie-apparatuur en aan nieuwe wetenschappelijke inzichten. De sectie Gynaecologie is volledig herschreven. Daarnaast is het boek geactualiseerd op basis van de recente veranderingen binnen de prenatale screening. De redactie bestaat uit prof. dr. M.C. Haak, gynaecoloog LUMC Leiden, prof. dr. M.N. Bekker, gynaecoloog UMC Utrecht, prof. dr. J.A.F. Huirne, gynaecoloog Amsterdam UMC en dr. M.A.J. Engels, eigenaar/docent echo- en opleidingscentrum Echoxpert Amsterdam. De auteurs van de hoofdstukken zijn allen experts in hun vakgebied, zowel nationaal als internationaal.

An acclaimed overview of ultrasound for the prenatal diagnosis of congenital anomalies returns in a new enlarged edition. In particular, the coverage of both Central Nervous System congenital and acquired anomalies as well as Congenital Heart Disease has been expanded enormously, to make this an impressive comprehensive resource for Fetal Neurology and Fetal Cardiology. Together with additional new chapters on guidelines and protocols, equipment, and disorders of sexual differentiation, and new insight into fetal surgery procedures, this third edition almost becomes three books in one.

Pelvic Floor, Perineal, and Anal Sphincter Trauma During Childbirth is a comprehensive text that focuses on the maternal morbidity associated with childbirth. The book is edited by a reputable international team of obstetricians and urogynaecologists who have an in-depth knowledge of the subject and are actively involved in training and research. In recognition of the longstanding global diversity in obstetric practice and the management of its sequelae, the authors have compiled the ultimate evidence-based textbook that examines the diagnosis, pathophysiology, management, and prevention of obstetric trauma. It is known that the majority of doctors and midwives have suboptimal training in the anatomy and repair of perineal and anal sphincter trauma. This book aims to address these deficiencies by providing a comprehensive approach in the understanding of this anatomy and provides tips on making an accurate diagnosis and classification of perineal trauma. The dilemmas surrounding repair techniques and management of subsequent pregnancies are fully debated and preventative strategies are highlighted. Chapters on female genital mutilation, the management of faecal incontinence, caesarean section, pre-existing bowel conditions, sexual dysfunction and litigation are also Included. This book is essential reading for all who are involved in obstetric care both in the labour ward and even years after parturition; obstetricians, midwives, family practitioners, colorectal surgeons, gastroenterologists, physiotherapists, continence advisors and lawyers can all glean knowledge applicable to their own specialty. In everyday practice, the text can also serve as a handbook for quick reference and should therefore be easily accessible in all antenatal clinics labour ward rooms and perineal/pelvic floor clinics.

RNC-OB® Exam Prep Study Guide gets right to the point with a targeted content based on the latest NCC exam blueprint. This easy-to-follow guide includes all the tools you need to prepare, practice, and pass the exam—and nothing you don't. PREPARE Concise coverage of the content you'll be tested on. Quick-reference features with complications, alerts, and nursing pearls. Need-to-know information to prepare you for exam day. PRACTICE Two full-length practice tests—one in book and one online—to assess your readiness and simulate the test-taking experience. Detailed rationales for correct and incorrect answers. Pop quizzes that highlight key information you don't want to miss. PASS The first time with Springer Publishing Exam Prep's 100% Pass Guarantee. With confidence, knowing you're well-prepared with all the skills and knowledge you need on exam day and in practice. With pride in your commitment to patient health and safety. RNC-OB® is a registered trademark of National Certification Corporation (NCC). NCC does not endorse this resource, nor does it have a proprietary relationship with Springer Publishing Company.

This book presents the theory that positional obstruction of the inferior vena cava by the gravid uterus might contribute to the causation of preeclampsia, fetal growth restriction, preterm birth, dysfunctional labor and uterine atony. Investigating this possibility is timely, since non-invasive technology now exists which detects hemodynamically significant obstruction of the inferior vena cava in real time, by relying on the fact that such obstruction causes an immediate decrease in maternal cardiac output. If further research shows that obstruction of uterine venous return at the inferior vena cava can cause maternal or fetal injury, systematic reduction of this obstruction during gestation might improve maternal and fetal outcomes. Written in a direct, informal and engaging style-- and enriched with clinical insights and abundant colorful graphics-- this thought-provoking and potentially ground-breaking work should be of interest to maternal and neonatal health professionals, including obstetricians, maternal-fetal medicine specialists, neonatologists, obstetric anesthesiologists and midwives.

'A frank, comprehensive and often moving book... A powerful insider account that opens a door into a long-hidden world in which secrecy and shame have been weaponised against women for too long.'Observer'An unflinching insight into the reality of abortion'Irish Independent In 2015, Juno Carey left her job as a midwife, burnt out, frustrated and looking for a better way to deliver care to women. And then she found work that she loves, that brings her satisfaction and the knowledge of helping women, directly and fundamentally, every day. Working in an abortion clinic is not easy, but it is a necessary kindness: Juno's work changes and even saves lives. In this book she shares the stories of the patients she helps there, young and old, single and married, vulnerable and stoical. She cares for women who are already mothers, women who have had to travel to the UK to get help and those who face unimaginable trauma. Urgent, illuminating and deeply human, A Necessary Kindness reveals the misunderstood world of abortion clinics, and deals with a complex issue - around which there is still too much taboo and too little understanding - with gentle compassion and bold conviction. These are the stories we need to share, the conversations we need to be having and the rights we need to protect.

This book is the first major ethnography of Baloch midwives in Pakistan. Drawing on long-term ethnographic research in Balochistan province, it shows how dhīnabogs/dheenabogs (Baloch midwives ranging in age from about 30 to 80) and their dhīnabogirī (midwifery) aid women and their kin through labor and postpartum recovery.Its chapters show how Baloch midwives'forms and ethics of care have persisted, despite nearly two centuries of British colonial policies and the subsequent disparaging official views regarding South Asian Indigenous midwives, commonly known as dāīs, in both postcolonial India and Pakistan. Through their continued presence and effective uses of their traditional medicine, Baloch midwives contain, mediate, and offer a powerful critique of women's iatrogenic suffering caused by unnecessary biomedical interventions. Through a nuanced analysis of Baloch midwives'ethical approach to caring for women, and their responses to the exigencies of women's health, this book demonstrates why over a century of state efforts to modernize and biomedicalize childbirth practices have failed to convince the majority of Baloch women in Balochistan to give birth in hospitals. They instead prefer home births and the midwifery care from the dhīnabogs whom they trust.This book will not only be of interest to scholars and students in anthropology, medical humanities, public health, sociology, gender and women's studies, gender and medical history, South Asia studies, and global health studies, but also to those in the midwifery and the nursing profession. It will also be of interest to non-academic readers wishing to learn about midwives in South Asia and anyone interested in reading about traditional medicine and midwives who practice outside of European and North American cultural contexts.

This book provides insight into the transformative impact of data-driven approaches on reproductive health. Chapters cover a wealth of intricate algorithms of genomic analysis, predictive modeling, and personalized treatment strategies, providing an up-to-date view of the reproductive healthcare landscape. With more than 20 code-based examples, the book decodes complex biological data using bioinformatics and machine learning and provides valuable insights into fertility, genetic disorders, and personalized medicine. This book is relevant for healthcare professionals, researchers, and students in the fields of reproductive medicine, bioinformatics, and genetics.

This textbook provides practical guidance to enable health professionals to support survivors of sexual violence. It gives insight into the complex and wide-ranging nature and experience of sexual violence, barriers to disclosure, and explores the implications for survivors, health professionals and healthcare organisations.An evidence-based resource, this book provides information, guidance and signposting for all those who might receive disclosures of sexual violence, challenging perceptions, stigma and judgement. As well as discussing disclosure of recent experiences, it takes into account that life events may trigger the re-surfacing of prior experiences. The book also operates as a practical tool, prompting professionals to reflect on their own clinical experience of dealing with disclosures of sexual violence. The chapters look at the full breadth of sexual violence and abuse, including rape and sexual assault, child sexual abuse, harassment and stalking, exploitation, trafficking, conflict situations, traditional practices and sexual violence in LGBTQAI+ communitites.Enabling readers to develop the necessary knowledge and understanding to inform their practice, this book is a comprehensive resource for all health professionals, across primary and secondary care. It is also a valuable text for those taking post-registration courses in sexual health, specialist community and public health nursing, district nursing, mental health and children's nursing among others. Reflection sections can be used to support professional registration revalidation.

This fourth edition of Depression in New Mothers, Volume 2: Screening, Assessment, and Treatment Alternatives provides a comprehensive and evidence-based approach to understanding the assessment for treatment and treatment of postpartum depression.Depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress disorder are common complications of childbirth that result in adverse health outcomes for both mother and child. It is vital, therefore, that health professionals be ready to help women with these conditions in the perinatal period. Written by a psychologist and board-certified lactation consultant, this fourth edition is greatly expanded and available as two complementary volumes. Focusing on causes and consequences of poor perinatal mental health and its treatment. It can also be used by community organizations that want to support new mothers, screen for possible depression, discuss treatment options, and refer them to appropriate care. This volume integrates current international research and includes chapters on:● Choosing an assessment scale to measure depression and co-occurring conditions● Developing a treatment plan● Supporting new mothers and families through community interventions● Using complementary and integrative therapies● Providing evidence-based psychotherapy● Using antidepressantsDepression in New Mothers, Volume 2 (4th Edition) includes case illustrations throughout and retains its focus on moving research into practice. It is an essential resource for all healthcare practitioners working with mothers in the perinatal period, including mental health providers, nurses, midwives, doctors, lactation consultants, and peer supporters.

A free ebook version of this title is available through Luminos, University of California Press's Open Access publishing program. Visit www.luminosoa.org to learn more.Mal-Nutrition documents how maternal health interventions in Guatemala are complicit in reproducing poverty. Policy makers speak about how a critical window of biological growth around the time of pregnancy—called the'first 1,000 days of life'—determines health and wealth across the life course. They argue that fetal development is the key to global development. In this thought-provoking and timely book, Emily Yates-Doerr shows that the control of mothering is a paradigmatic technique of American violence that serves to control the reproduction of privilege and power. She illustrates the efforts of Guatemalan scientists, midwives, and mothers to counter the harms of such mal-nutrition. Their powerful stories offer a window into a form of nutrition science and policy that encourages collective nourishment and fosters reproductive cycles in which women, children, and their entire communities can flourish.

Das Standardwerk für alle in der Geburtshilfe und Perinatalmedizin tätigen Ärztinnen und Ärzte und Interessierte liegt nun unter neuer Herausgeberschaft vor. In der 6. Auflage komplett aktualisiert und dem aktuellen evidenzbasierten Wissen und Methoden angepasst. Mehr als die Hälfte der Kapitel mit neuer Autorenschaft und erweitert um neue Themen, u.a. Adipositas und Schwangerschaft, Geburtsmodus bei fetalen Fehlbildungen, Management von Placenta increta, Patient Blood Management. Plus: Von der Evidenz zur Handlungsempfehlung, praktisches geburtshilfliches multiprofessionelles Traning. „Die Geburtshilfe“ beantwortet die zahlreichen Fragen, die sich Ärztinnen und Ärzte und Hebammen rund um die Themen Schwangerschaft, Geburt und Perinatalmedizin stellen. Verständlich, klar strukturiert und an der Praxis orientiert mit eindeutigen Angaben zur Dosierung von Medikamenten, Algorithmen und Hinweisen auf Komplikationen. Als ebook und Live-Reference ermöglicht es den direkten Zugriff zu jeder Zeit sowie auf Links zu wichtigen Websites. Für eine kompetente und einfühlsame Betreuung und Begleitung der werdenden Mutter von der Schwangerschaft bis nach der Entbindung.

This practical guide equips midwives with the skills and knowledge necessary to support pregnant women living with obesity, from communicating meaningfully about weight through to providing evidence-based information about optimising health and making changes.Beginning with an overview of what living with obesity means for women, this book supports midwives to develop consultation skills and structure their encounters with women for maximum effect. It presents up-to-date, evidence-based information about the impact of obesity on pregnant women and their unborn babies from conception to birth and beyond. Chapters on changing health behaviours, nutrition and physical activity explore how to mitigate these risks and optimise health.Including reflective questions and case studies, this book is designed for practising and student midwives looking to develop their personalised care and communication skills.

SIMKIN'S LABOR PROGRESS HANDBOOK Get ready to enhance your expertise in the world of childbirth with Simkin's Labor Progress Handbook — a trusted resource tailored for childbirth medical practitioners This invaluable guide unravels the complexities of labor, equipping you with practical strategies to overcome challenges encountered along the way. Inside this comprehensive book, you'll discover a wealth of low-technology, evidence-based interventions designed to prevent and manage difficult or prolonged labors. Grounded in research and practical experience, these approaches are tailored by doulas and clinicians to provide optimal care and achieve successful outcomes. The fifth edition of this prestigious text includes information on: Labor dystocia causes and early interventions and strategies promoting normal labor and birth Application of fetal heart rate monitoring (intermittent auscultation, continuous electronic fetal monitoring, and wireless telemetry) while promoting movement and labor progress The role of oxytocin and labor progress, and ethical considerations in oxytocin administration Prolonged prelabor and latent first through fourth stage labor, addressing factors associated with dystocia Positions, comfort measures and respectful care With meticulous referencing and clear, practical instructions throughout, Simkin's Labor Progress Handbook continues to be a timely and accessible guide for novices and experts alike, including doulas, nurses, midwives, physicians, and students.

Supporting readers to perform effectively in urgent or emergency situations that can occur in a hospital, at a birth centre or at home, this fully updated fourth edition presents the necessary knowledge and skills for student and practising midwives.With contributions from highly experienced midwives, this practical guidebook incorporates a new chapter on legal issues for safe practice, as well as additional content on professional issues. It also includes an essential new chapter on cardiac problems, recognising that midwives are often the lead professional caring for women with cardiac anomalies, as many are undiagnosed until the emergency. The book continues to provide key, up-to-date information on high-risk medical and obstetric situations, from serious infection to uterine complications to resuscitation.Emergencies Around Childbirth is essential reading for practising and student midwives and those who teach them.

In der 6. Auflage grundlegend und umfassend neu konzipiert, systematisch und bedarfsorientiert aufbereitet, ist das Standardwerk an die Herausforderungen in der modernen gynäkologischen Endokrinologie angepasst und voll wertvollen Wissens. Es vermittelt gynäkologisch tätigen Ärztinnen und Ärzten wichtige Grundlagen sowie spezialisiertes medizinisches Fachwissen für die optimale Behandlung ihrer Patientinnen. Darstellung aller relevanten Aspekte der gynäkologischen Endokrinologie für die Umsetzung der Theorie in die Praxis Ratschläge zu innovativen Behandlungsansätzen Berücksichtigung nationaler und internationaler Leitlinien Zusammenstellung wichtiger Literatur auf dem neuesten wissenschaftlichen Stand Hilfreiche Tipps für die Beratung der Patientin

This book chronicles five decades of struggle to introduce family planning into one of the largest, most complex countries in sub-Saharan Africa: the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).Interweaving details of major political, social, and economic events into the history of family planning in DRC (formerly Zaïre), the book analyses the achievements and setbacks of five decades of programmatic work. President Mobutu's 1972 discourse on Naissances Désirables (desirable births) opened the door to organized family planning programs, which gained considerable momentum in the 1980s despite societal norms favoring large families. Two pillages and armed conflict paralyzed development work during the decade of the 1990s, and family planning was one of multiple public health programs that struggled to regain lost ground in the 2000s. With new donor funding and implementing agencies, the 2010s witnessed rapid programmatic expansion and improved strategies. By 2018, family planning was operating as a well-oiled machine. But progress is fragile. The book ends by tracing the deleterious effects of the colonial period to contemporary programming and individual contraceptive use. It asks hard questions about donor financing. And it details the six conditions needed to accelerate family planning progress in the DRC, in pursuit of providing millions of Congolese women and men with the means of controlling their own fertility.The book will be of interest to development and public health researchers and practitioners, as well as to historians of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.The Open Access version of this book, available at http://www.taylorfrancis.com, has been made available under a Creative Commons Attribution-Non (CC-BY) 4.0 license.

This book presents a unique approach to teaching the principles of health research using practical case studies with which nurses and midwives can engage to gain the skills to read and understand reports, evaluate the quality of research, synthesise different studies and be able to evaluate their effectiveness when applied to clinical practice.The book covers core concepts and principles, including the following: What evidence is and why understanding research is vital Finding reliable sources of evidence The nature of the research process Understanding quantitative and qualitative research Ethical considerations Using research to guide clinical practice Throughout the book, activities, summaries and review questions help ground theory in real-life scenarios, showing how evidence-based practice can be applied in every aspect of nursing and midwifery care. It is designed for nurses and midwives, from those just beginning their studies to qualified practitioners undertaking their first research projects.

Lying in the Dark Room: Architectures of British Maternity returns to and reflects on the spatial and architectural experience of childbirth, through both a critical history of maternity spaces and a creative exploration of those we use today.Where conventional architectural histories objectify buildings (in parallel with the objectification of the maternal body), the book—in the mode of creative practice research—presents a creative-critical autotheory of the architecture of lying-in. It uses feminist, subjective modes of thinking that travel across disciplines, registers and arguments. The book assesses the transformation of maternity spaces—from the female bedchamber of seventeenth- and eighteenth-century marital homes, to the lying-in hospitals of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries purposely built by man-midwives, to the late twentieth-century spaces of home and the modern hospital maternity wing—and the parallel shifts in maternal practices. The spaces are not treated as mute or neutral backdrops to maternal history but as a series of vital, entangled atmospheres, materials, practices and objects that are produced by, and, in turn, produce particular social and political conditions, gendered structures and experiences.Moving across spaces, systems, protagonists and their subjectivities, the book shows how hospital design and protocol altered ordinary birth at home and continues to shape maternal spatial experience today. As such, it will be of interest to a wide range of readers, from architectural historians, theoreticians, designers and students to medical humanities historians, to English Literature, humanities and material studies scholars, as well as those interested in creative-critical writing.

Das umfassende Nachschlagewerk zum Thema Gesundheit und Nachhaltigkeit für Wissenschaftlerinnen und Wissenschaftler, Praktikerinnen und Praktiker sowie Studierende in den Bereichen Pflege, Therapie und Gesundheit. Die Beiträge vereinen aus allen Fach- und Praxisbereichen des Sozial- und Gesundheitswesens zum Thema Gesundheit und Nachhaltigkeit. Die Autor•innen betrachten dabei z.B. in den Feldern Medizin, Pflege, Gesundheitsförderung und Prävention oder auch im Feld Global Health. Sie führen die Perspektiven zum Thema in den jeweiligen Bereichen aus, was unter gesundheitlich relevanter Nachhaltigkeit verstanden wird und welche Aspekte dabei relevant sind. Im Werk werden überdies auch die gesellschaftlichen Implikationen von Nachhaltigkeit in Bezug auf Gesundheit diskutiert. Aktuelle Themen wie der Einfluss des Klimawandels, gesunde nachhaltige Lebenswelten wie gesunde Städte, aber auch Gerechtigkeit und Nachhaltigkeit sowie (politische) Gesundheitsfolgenabschätzungen werden hierzu in den Blick genommen werden.

Including new drugs for weight loss, heart failure, anxiety, and postpartum depression. OZEMPIC | WEGOVY | ENTRESTRO | AND MORE! Hale's Medications & Mothers'Milk is the ultimate resource for safe medication practices during breastfeeding. This meticulously updated edition offers the most current, evidence-based information available, maintaining its reputation as the definitive standard for medication safety in lactation. Written by world-renowned clinical pharmacologists, the detailed manual helps lactation consultants, pharmacists, and healthcare providers who work with women and children weigh the relative risks associated with commonly used medications, drawing from the latest evidence-based studies. Structured for quick and efficient use, this guide features Dr. Thomas W. Hale's renowned Lactation Risk Categories (LRC), which provide essential insight, listing safe medication alternatives that can be used now or in the future. The manual is intuitively organized to highlight key points, offer practical tips, and present easy-to-understand diagrams, common abbreviations, and concise information for evaluating infant health. This indispensable resource helps healthcare professionals to ensure the safety and well-being of both mother and infant. Embrace the peace of mind that comes with having reliable, expert-vetted knowledge at your fingertips. To ensure you always have the most current information, consider our online or mobile app subscription! Visit halesmeds.com to get started today. New to the 2025-2026 Edition: 66 new drugs 10 drugs with FDA updates 575 updated medications (formerly medications updated with new information) 84 existing drugs with updated LRCs Key Features: Delivers current, evidence-based information on 1,300 drugs, diseases, vaccines, and syndromes in alphabetical order Provides critical updates on weight loss drugs such as Wegovy and Ozempic, heart failure drugs such as Entresto, medications for anxiety, postpartum depression, and much more Incorporates updates to Dr. Hale's world-renowned Lactation Risk Categories (LRC) Discusses adult concerns, adult dose, pediatric concerns, infant monitoring, and drug alternatives

Holistically addresses women's health, encompassing the needs of transgender and nonbinary individuals and considering ethnicity, social class, and disability/ableness Delivering incisive and comprehensive information on the healthcare needs of women, transgender, and nonbinary persons, the third edition of this distinguished text incorporates a strong focus on the provision of high value, equitable, and unbiased care. It expands research and clinical frameworks for understanding women's health to encompass transgender and nonbinary persons and places women's health within a holistic perspective considering ethnicity, social class, and disability/ableness. All chapters are significantly updated with new evidence-based research, clinical updates and guidelines, drug information, Covid-related information, racism, and health disparities. This text also covers current and pertinent health topics such as substance use and abuse, mental health, early pregnancy decision-making, and LGBTQ+ care, as well as abundant integrated information on care of transgender and nonbinary individuals, and enhanced information on pregnancy and primary care issues that disproportionately affect females. The book is organized for ease of use and is comprised of three distinct but interrelated sections on theoretical frameworks to guide approach and care, health promotion and prevention, and managing health conditions. Rich instructor resources include mapping content to AACN Essentials, case studies, a test bank, and PowerPoint slides. New to the Third Edition: Focuses on providing equitable, unbiased care for all women including transgender and nonbinary individuals Updated with new evidence-based research, clinical updates and guidelines, drug information, Covid-related information, and racism and health disparities information Expanded information on care of transgender individuals Enhanced content on pregnancy and related issues Four-color presentation to enhance readability Incorporates content in WHNP and CNM national certification examination blueprints Key Features: Distills cutting-edge information on women's health issues through a sociocultural framework Edited by renowned scholar/educators for AP nursing students Organized to provide easy retrieval of clinical information Addresses genetics, LGBTQ+ health, endocrine-related problems, health considerations for women caregivers, dementia care, and more Includes relevant web resources and apps in each chapter Provides extensive instructor toolkit to foster critical thinking

Depression in New Mothers, Volume 1: Causes, Consequences, and Risk Factors provides a comprehensive, evidence-based approach to understanding symptoms and risk factors of depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in perinatal women, which are common complications of childbirth.To effectively intervene, health professionals must be aware of these conditions and ready to identify them in mothers they see. Written by a psychologist and International Board–Certified Lactation Consultant, this fourth edition is expanded into two complementary volumes: the first focuses on causes and consequences of poor perinatal mental health, and the second, on screening and treatment. This volume integrates recent research on: Feeding methods and sleep location for mother–infant sleep Traumatic birth experiences Infant temperament, illness, and prematurity Violence, discrimination, and adversity The dysphoric milk-ejection reflex (D-MER) COVID-19, military sexual trauma, immigration/refugee status, and the impact of war, displacement, and terrorist attacks Depression in New Mothers, Volume 1 includes mothers'stories throughout, which provide examples of principles described in studies. Each chapter highlights key research findings and clinical takeaways. It is an essential resource for all healthcare practitioners working with mothers in the perinatal period, including nurses, midwives, doctors, lactation consultants, and psychologists.

Prepare for your National Certification Corporation (NCC) exam with C-EFM® Certification Online Practice Q&A. With 500 high-yield questions and comprehensive rationales that reflect the latest NCC exam blueprint, this essential resource is designed to aid in passing your C-EFM® certification. Sharpen your specialty knowledge with 250 practice Q&A organized by exam domain and strengthen your test-taking skills with two 125-question practice tests. This study aid empowers you with the tools and materials to study your way, guaranteed Key Features: Provides 250 practice questions with detailed rationales Includes 2 practice exams with correct and incorrect answer explanations Provides key information about the C-EFM® certification exam Based on the latest NCC blueprint C-EFM® is a registered service mark of National Certification Corporation (NCC). NCC does not sponsor or endorse this resource, nor does it have a proprietary relationship with Springer Publishing.

In the ever-evolving landscape of maternal healthcare, expectant mothers face a myriad of challenges, from pregnancy complications to postpartum care. Traditional approaches often fail to provide timely and personalized interventions, leading to suboptimal outcomes for both mother and child. The lack of practical tools and strategies to address these complexities underscores the pressing need for innovative solutions that can revolutionize maternal care. Modernizing Maternal Care With Digital Technologies leads the way, offering a comprehensive solution that harnesses the power of modern technology and soft computing techniques to foster environments that improve maternal patient outcomes. This pioneering book delves into the transformative role of artificial intelligence (AI), data analytics, and wearable devices in reshaping maternal care. The book presents a paradigm shift in how expectant mothers can be supported throughout their pregnancy journey by highlighting the significance of predictive modeling and real-time monitoring. Through a meticulous exploration of AI-powered fetal monitoring, mental health support, and remote prenatal care, the book educates and empowers healthcare professionals, researchers, and pregnant patients. By bridging the gap between medical expertise and technological innovation, Modernizing Maternal Care With Digital Technologies equips readers with the knowledge needed to navigate the complexities of modern maternal healthcare. With its practical insights, ethical considerations, and future-oriented approach, this book paves the way for a new era in maternal care, promising healthier pregnancies, safer deliveries, and improved postpartum experiences worldwide.

Women's Health: A Comprehensive Guide to Common Health Issues in Women provides an in-depth look at the various health challenges faced by women and the available treatments and preventive measures. The book begins with an overview of women's health, followed by an exploration of complementary and alternative therapies that address common health concerns. It delves into the menstrual cycle, common menstrual problems, and the role of genetics and hormones in women's health, offering insights into hormonal imbalances and genetic factors that contribute to menstrual irregularities.Readers will also find comprehensive information on cervical cancer, including its control and basic understanding, as well as detailed discussions on breast cancer screening, treatment, breastfeeding, and the benefits of breast milk. The book addresses unmet needs in contraception and family planning, highlights the importance of nutrition in women's health, and examines heart diseases and risk factors specific to women. Additional topics include autoimmune diseases, treatment options, bone health, menopause, and the processes of understanding and remodeling during these stages. This guide is an essential resource for anyone looking to understand and improve women's health.

Im Rahmen der Akademisierung des Hebammenberufes bleibt die Wahrnehmung der Vertiefung und Erweiterung von Hebammenkompetenzen innerhalb der Berufsgruppe ungeklärt. Diese unterteilt sich in akademische und nicht akademische Hebammen. Das Ziel der prospektiven Querschnittstudie besteht in der Untersuchung der Sichtweisen dieser beiden Gruppen in Bezug auf die Einschätzung der Relevanz von akademischen Hebammenkompetenzen. Darüber hinaus wird das Erhebungsinstrument hinsichtlich der Fragebogenstruktur und der reliablen Erfassung der Kompetenzfacetten einer Hebamme geprüft. Die Ergebnisse zeigen Konsens hinsichtlich der Einschätzung der Relevanz akademischer Hebammenkompetenzen. Die Studienergebnisse können als Grundlage für weitere Hebammenkompetenzforschung dienen.

This is an essential guide for all health and social work practitioners supporting an increasing number of learners, trainees, apprentices and pre-registration students engaging in practice-based and work-based learning. Applying educational learning theory to underpin the role and practice of the contemporary practice supervisor, assessor and educator, this accessible book presents strategies for practice learning and personal development.Acknowledging the problematic nature of learning within the workplace, the authors place the lived experience of the learner at the heart of this text and emphasise the critical importance of an expansive and compassionate learning environment for all. The book includes chapters on the context of practice learning, the role of the supervisor/assessor and educator, learning environments, coaching, assessment and supporting the learner in difficulty, among others. It also spotlights practice learning in a range of settings, from working with children, through social care and maternity care. Each chapter includes learning outcomes and activities, as well as a chapter summary.Designed for nurses, midwives, social workers, therapists and operating department practitioners who support learners in the workplace, this text is particularly relevant to registrants completing practice supervisor/assessor/educator preparation and pre-registration students taking modules on supporting learning.

Varney's Midwifery continues to be the gold standard for midwifery practice in an updated seventh edition. New lead editors assembled a team of expert contributors and authors to continue the legacy of Varney's Midwifery as the trusted, must-have resource for students, professional midwives, and women's health practitioners. Varney's Midwifery uses current evidence-based guidelines to address the care of women throughout the lifespan, including primary care, gynecology, maternity care in a variety of settings, and newborn care. The Seventh Edition reflects the new Core Competencies for Basic Midwifery Practice published in 2020, including care of transgender individuals and abortion-related care. It also provides updated information on chronic conditions in pregnancy including a section discussing COVID-19, new techniques for fetal screening, diagnosis across the lifespan, and updated content on health equity.

This book aims to provide a refreshing, friendly and exciting manner artificial intelligence (AI) theoretical concepts and practical methods applied in obstetrics and gynaecology. The book follows the nine and a half months journey from preconception till birth alongside with AI. It discusses topics such as the poignant role of AI in improving the change of women getting pregnant; AI methods for detecting congenital anomalies in first and second trimester foetal sonography; how AI aids physicians in determining what type of birth should be deployed (vaginal versus caesarean); how AI can predict pre-eclampsia, preterm birth, mortality, birth weight, miscarriage, postpartum depression, etc. Additionally, it provides information on AI used for perinatal depression, for the evaluation of the relationship between pollutants and pregnancy outcome and even how AI tools can improve physician training in labour and delivery. The book is designed for bioinformaticians,obstetric and gynaecology researchers and physicians, and all those who wish to learn how to explore, analyse, find novel potential solutions for the challenging domains: obstetrics and gynaecology. Likewise, this book will be useful for application engineers who wish to use AI paradigms in areas such as engineering and science too.

Pearson Reviews & Rationales: Comprehensive Review for NCLEX-RN® is the ultimate NCLEX-RN exam prep guide. This longtime best-seller provides a comprehensive outline review of the essential content areas tested on the NCLEX-RN exam. Content areas addressed include management, delegation, leadership, clinical judgment, pharmacology and emergency care. Unlike similar texts, this review is organized like the NCLEX-RN exam itself: by client needs rather than course areas. The 4th Edition reflects the 2023 NCLEX-RN Test Plan, with 5,600 new or updated NCLEX®-style practice questions. New features include Next Generation NCLEX standalone questions, as well as case studies preparing you for a new exam section.

This open access book focuses on of the impact of endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) on human reproduction. It comprehensively discusses the three most important topics in the field: the basic biology of EDCs; the effects of EDCs on human reproduction and human reproductive systems; and potential interventions and practical advice for dealing with the problems caused by EDCs.Presenting a translational approach to endocrine disrupting chemicals research, spanning both basic biology and clinical applications, the book provides a critical link between laboratory investigations and clinical practice. Written by international experts in the field, it is a valuable reference resource for gynaecologists, obstetricians, endocrinologists and experts in reproductive medicine, and a useful tool for anyone interested in the impact of the environment on human reproduction.

This book about the art, craft and science of expert midwifery care, while focusing on ‘alternative physiological births'that are those ‘outside'of guidelines, the contents can be applied to any birthing choices. Drawing upon the findings of a PhD that captured the experiences of midwives who proactively supported alternative physiological births while working in the National Health Service, their practice was conceptualised as ‘skilled heartfelt practice'. Skilled heartfelt practice denotes the interrelationship between midwives'attitudes and beliefs in support of women's choices, their values of cultivating meaningful relationships, and their expert practical clinical skills. It is these qualities combined that give rise to what is called ‘full-scope midwifery'as defined by the Lancet Midwifery Series. This book illuminates why and how these midwives facilitated safe, relational care. Using a combination of emotional intelligence skills and clinical expertise while centring women's bodily autonomy, they ensured safe care was provided within a holistic framework. Moreover, this book offers insights for midwives to move beyond ‘rule-based'practice, where the benefits of expert practice are illuminated. Midwives facilitating ‘alternative'physiological births epitomise evidence-based practice, which centres the woman or birthing person as the expert in their life, and the midwife meets them where they are with expert skills to support them. But what does this look like in clinical practice, particularly for those employed by institutions, those ‘working within the system'who have constraints that private or self-employed midwives don't have? How does a midwife cultivate those skills within a culture and climate that devalues both relationships, midwives and women's autonomy? This book aims to provide a roadmap for those seeking to cultivate these skills. The core focus will be the midwife-mother relationship from the perspectives of the midwives, rather than the midwives wider working relationships or workplace contexts. This is purposeful so to offer a deep dive into the nuanced and varied ways of delivering this type of care. However, the realities of practice are also firmly embedded with the book, tensions will be explored, limitations acknowledged.

This book shines a light on the way in which risk – in and beyond childbirth – is highly contextual, and the way in which risk-management strategies can be understood as socially and materially constructed.