This is Volume 5 in the Midwifery: Best Practice series. Each of the volumes in this Series is built around the familiar core of four main topic areas relevant to midwifery: pregnancy, labour / birth, postnatal and stories / reflection - and also includes a number of 'focus on.' sections. These are different in each volume and reflect a wide range of key and topical issues within midwifery. Each volume builds upon the others to provide a comprehensive library of articles that shows the development of thought in key midwifery areas. Volume 5 offers a range of wholly new topic areas within the 'focus on.' sections covering: 'the birthing environment', 'women, midwives and risk', 'holistic health' and 'working/international stories'. A practical reference source containing a wide range of articles, research and original material in an easily accessible format Volume 5 offers a more interactive learning experience by inviting midwives to create their own questions before reading the articles, and then returning to these afterwards for reflective thought Diverse opinions on selected topics provide a comprehensive resource for debate and discussion Unique approach includes ideas on how to turn reading into professional development activities Includes 60 articles from The Practising Midwife (2004-5);4 research articles from Midwifery (2004-5); 3 articles from The Journal of Midwifery and Women's Health (2003-5); and 5 original articles commissioned for this book. . 60 articles from The Practising Midwife (2004-05). . 4 research articles from Midwifery (2004-05). . 3 articles from The Journal of Midwifery and Women's Health 2003-05 . 5 original articles commissioned for this book.

Drawing on a vast range of archival material from six countries, the contributors show the diversity in midwives' practices, competence, socio-economic background and education, as well as their public function and image.

The authors - social scientists and midwifery practitioners - reflect on regional differences in the emerging profession, providing a systematic account of its historical, local, and international roots, its evolving regulatory status, and the degree to which it has been integrated into several mainstream provincial health care systems. They also examine the nature of midwifery training, accessibility, and effectiveness across diverse ethnic and socio-economic groups, highlighting the key issues facing the profession before, during, and in the immediate post-integration era in each province.

Modern midwifery practice should be based on the findings of up-to-date research, which is necessarily changing and dynamic. The Midwifery Practice Series was specifically designed to enable busy practitioners and students to have access to a broad-ranging survey and analysis of the literature in a form that draws out the research-based implications for practice. With the Core Topics' books the Midwifery Practice series is relaunched and updated. The latest research findings and the implications for midwifery care in the wake of the 'Changing Childbirth' report are considered, along with seminal earlier work. The relationship between critically reviewed research findings and good practice remains essential.

Mayes’ Midwifery, an established key textbook for students and qualified midwives, contains essential knowledge for professional practice. For this 14th edition, each section and chapter has been fully updated and enhanced by leading authors to ensure the text complies with contemporary practice and current guidelines. Added benefits are the availability of a variety of additional online resources for each chapter, including case studies, video and website links, and a bank of multiple-choice questions to test knowledge. With a strong emphasis on normal birth, the book covers the spectrum of midwifery-related topics applied to practice, providing a foundation of knowledge, and encouraging independent thought through the use of reflective exercises in each chapter and online. The book provides midwives with material that meets individual ways of learning and supports current modes of midwifery education. Mayes’ Midwifery is the text for initial preparation and for ongoing midwifery practice. New chapters on essential contemporary issues: Vulnerable women Perspectives on the future of midwifery, in a global context Evidence-based information to guide best practice Learning outcomes and Key Points in all chapters Reflective activities Now with an integrated website offering additional resources and material including: Multiple-choice questions for self-testing Case studies Reflective activities to consolidate your professional development Useful additional reading, resources and weblinks Expanded topics Downloadable materials including illustrations

This groundbreaking book takes us around the world in search of birth models that work in order to improve the standard of care for mothers and families everywhere. The contributors describe examples of maternity services from both developing countries and wealthy industrialized societies that apply the latest scientific evidence to support and facilitate normal physiological birth; deal appropriately with complications; and generate excellent birth outcomes—including psychological satisfaction for the mother. The book concludes with a description of the ideology that underlies all these working models—known internationally as the midwifery model of care.

Known as the “bible†of midwifery, this new edition of Varney's Midwifery has been extensively revised and updated to reflect the full scope of current midwifery practice in a balance of art and science, a blend of spirituality and evidence-based care, and a commitment to being with women.

This book deals with the central theme of freedom to practise midwifery in selected countries of the world. Each chapter has a separate author who has specific knowledge of the country for that chapter either as a citizen or researcher. The underpinning theme of this book is the philosophy of best midwifery practice - particularly that which is evidence-based. To clarify the meaning of the term, the book includes an initial chapter that discusses the aims and realities of achieving 'best practice' - wherever in the world a midwife may be and under whatever circumstances she may be working.

Decision-making pervades all aspects of midwifery practice across the world. Midwifery is informed by a number of decision-making theories, but it is sometimes difficult to marry these theories with practice. This book provides a comprehensive exploration of decision-making for midwives irrespective of where in the world they practice or in which model of care. The first part critically reviews decision-making theories, including the Enhancing Decision-making Assessment in Midwifery (EDAM) tool, and their relevance to midwifery. It explores the links between midwifery governance, including professional regulation and the law, risk and safety and decision-making as well as how critical thinking and reflection are essential elements of decision-making. It then goes on to present a number of diverse case studies, demonstrating how they interrelate to and impact upon optimal midwifery decision-making. Each chapter presents examples that show how the theory translates into practice and includes activities to reinforce learning points. Bringing together a diverse range of contributors, this volume will be essential reading for midwifery students, practising midwives and midwifery academics.