A new look at how we welcome newborn babies into the world, whatever context they are born in, but particularly if they are born in a large maternity hospital. Reflections, exercises and ideas for midwives and other maternity professionals. "The deeply ingrained, rational scientific culture we live in today suppresses our innate knowledge of how things could improve. We focus on categorising through measuring, counting and documenting what we do, instead of realising deep inside that things must change with regard to our rituals around birth in hospital. It's as if we don't quite know how to engender that change..." Experienced midwife Debby Gould considers the current situation and explores how change is not just possible but also beneficial for mother, baby and healthcare professionals. Questions and exercises are provided to stimulate reflection and seminar discussion. Following a varied and distinguished career in many maternity contexts, Debby Gould is currently Head of Midwifery for University College London Hospitals and has served two full terms in office (as Deputy Chair, then Chair) on the Royal College of Midwives Council. She is also named in Debrett's People of Today as one of the top 25,000 influential and successful people in the UK. Her words are well worth reading

Menstruation is power-the power of knowledge, understanding and love of your own mind, body and soul as a woman; the nourishment and nurturing of the Feminine-The Wild Genie. Immediately engaging and beautifully written by Alexandra Pope, The Wild Genie is a self-care guide for all women who want to enjoy their cyclical nature and experience a fulfilling and healthy life. It is also for parents who wish to pass on a positive experience of menstruation to their daughters, and for men to help them gain an insight into the world of women. The Wild Genie present a unique approach to menstruation that move beyond biology to restore a dignity and deep meaning to a woman's cyclical nature. ..".a courageous book... that] is set to change the way a woman's menstrual cycle is viewed in Western society. Pope's vantage point has such resonance and potency as to be life-changing" Ruth Ostrow, The Weekend Australian

An international collaboration of lecturers, practitioners and researchers. Each chapter considers a topic relevant to normalising maternity care. Topics include: routine interventions epidurals physiological third and fourth stages longer labours and approaches to monitoring / intervention most effective models of care birth centres home birth mental health doulas reasons for intervention links between research and practice harmonising models of birth caseload midwifery including 'normality' on medical training courses the symbolic value of birth developments in China, the UAE, Brazil and other countries where dramatic changes are taking place (e.g. in sub-Saharan Africa) the 'natural' caesarean individual agents for change intrapartum best practice ways of supporting women labouring without pharmacological pain relief water birth VBAC the role of regulatory bodies ways of publicising your work communication for best results review of progress and pointers for future research. Questions and extracts provide stimulating reflection and seminar material. For midwives, obstetricians, GPs, doulas and other maternity caregivers. "I strongly recommend this book to midwives, obstetricians, doctors and hospital administrators. It carefully reviews the scientific data." Marsden Wagner-who was director of Women's and Children's Health at the World Health Organization for 15 years, before his retirement. Questions and extracts provide stimulating reflection and seminar material. For midwives, obstetricians, GPs, doulas and other maternity caregivers. "I strongly recommend this book to midwives, obstetricians, doctors and hospital administrators. It carefully reviews the scientific data." Marsden Wagner-who was director of Women's and Children's Health at the World Health Organization for 15 years, before his retirement

This essential handbook helps midwifery students to make the most from their time studying. It clearly explains the core learning skills you will need right from the start of the course, such as academic writing, placement learning and understanding theoretical concepts. It also introduces more advanced skills, such as reflection, research, evidence-based practice, writing a dissertation and complex decision making. It shows why these important skills are essential for you both to succeed at university and when you are a registered midwife. Key features - An accessible student-friendly guide specifically written for midwifery students - Three midwifery students are followed throughout the book to show real issues that you may face during your studies - Activities throughout help you test and develop your own learning skills - Each chapter is linked to relevant NMC and QAA standards, so that you can see what you are expected to know in order to pass your programme. Series Editor The Transforming Midwifery Practice series editor is Judith Jackson, Canterbury College.

Pelvic organ prolapse has been on medical record for over 4000 years yet remains hidden behind closed doors because of embarrassing symptoms like urinary and fecal incontinence, tissues bulging from the vagina, pain with intimacy, and chronic constipation. Vaginal childbirth and menopause are the leading causes of POP; millions of women worldwide suffer in silence with symptoms they don't understand. Pelvic Organ Prolapse: The Silent Epidemic dissects pelvic organ prolapse and explains causes, symptoms, and treatment options. It is written in an easy to understand format and includes insights from Sherrie Palm's personal journey.

A book to help midwives, obstetricians and other health care professionals think through the practicalities of optimizing pregnancies and births. After explaining precisely how 'optimal' is defined, eight reasons are presented to justify why this kind of birth is best. Finally, key practical issues are considered and reflective questions provided, so as to give caregivers a clear basis for clinical practice, wherever their place of work. This easy-read, accessible book is equally useful for students of midwifery (or obstetrics, or medicine generally), practicing midwives (including CNMs), family doctors, doulas, and maternity care assistants.

Pelvic organ prolapse has been on medical record for over 4000 years yet remains hidden behind closed doors because of embarrassing symptoms like urinary and fecal incontinence, tissues bulging from the vagina, pain with intimacy, and chronic constipation. Vaginal childbirth and menopause are the leading causes of POP; millions of women worldwide suffer in silence with symptoms they don't understand. Pelvic Organ Prolapse: The Silent Epidemic dissects pelvic organ prolapse and explains causes, symptoms, and treatment options. It is written in an easy to understand format and includes insights from Sherrie Palm's personal journey.

For new students the language and concepts of midwifery care can at first be daunting. This book helps students to understand the expectations of midwifery training in relation to normal midwifery practice. It covers the basics of midwifery care including professional practice, frameworks informing midwifery care, key concepts and philosophies of care, communication and care skills, antenatal care, normal labour and birth, postnatal care, neonatal care and breastfeeding, as well as a brief introduction to medicines management in normal midwifery care. The book is designed to work alongside first taught modules in midwifery, and underpin training in subsequent years.

Recent anthropological scholarship on "new midwifery" centers on how professional midwives in various countries are helping women reconnect with "nature," teaching them to trust in their bodies, respecting women's "choices," and fighting for women's right to birth as naturally as possible. In No Alternative, Rosalynn A. Vega uses ethnographic accounts of natural birth practices in Mexico to complicate these narratives about new midwifery and illuminate larger questions of female empowerment, citizenship, and the commodification of indigenous culture, by showing how alternative birth actually reinscribes traditional racial and gender hierarchies. Vega contrasts the vastly different birthing experiences of upper-class and indigenous Mexican women. Upper-class women often travel to birthing centers to be delivered by professional midwives whose methods are adopted from and represented as indigenous culture, while indigenous women from those same cultures are often forced by lack of resources to use government hospitals regardless of their preferred birthing method. Vega demonstrates that women's empowerment, having a "choice," is a privilege of those capable of paying for private medical services-albeit a dubious privilege, as it puts the burden of correctly producing future members of society on women's shoulders. Vega's research thus also reveals the limits of citizenship in a neoliberal world, as indigeneity becomes an object of consumption within a transnational racialized economy.

This book is for any woman considering a vaginal birth after one or more previous cesareans. What are the risks? What are the advantages? What is the best choice in your particular case? The author, Helene Vadeboncoeur, takes you through the research and also gives you a glimpse into other women's experiences through the use of first-hand accounts. It was, in fact, the author's experience of two very different births (one a cesarean, the next a VBAC) that inspired her to get a PhD. In her thesis she explored how women experience giving birth in hospital. Helene wanted to consider questions about birth because this is such an important event in women's lives. For over 10 years since then, she has divided her time between teaching and participating in research projects. (She is currently on the Board of the International MotherBaby Childbirth Organization.) She also regularly gives talks at conferences around the world. This means that you not only get the benefit of advice from a woman who's been through both a cesarean and a VBAC, you also get taken through the most up-to-date research. Serious information is presented in an upbeat, readable style. Comment from an obstetrician: "As a professional who is concerned about the risk in the cesarean rate I would like to suggest that all women who have anything to do with cesareans read this book. The author has collected research data and precious accounts, which will help women make an informed choice as to how to give birth to their babies." Feedback from a midwife: "Helene Vadeboncoeur offers women an important tool to support them if they choose to give birth vaginally after a previous cesarean." Comment from a VBAC mom: "This book can help you heal the inner scars that every cesarean leaves behind. It'll also help you prepare and inform yourself to make a different journey with your next birth."

Is your man experiencing: Fatigue? Low or no sex drive? Less mental focus? Less tolerance to stress? Lack of interest for things that he used to love?Then, this book may be for you to read. He may be one of the 15 million men in the United States that are suffering from testosterone deficiency and not know it. Many men do not seek help and are sometimes in denial about this problem that can affect their relationships. Fortunately, you may arm yourself with important information before bringing up this sensitive issue in conversations with him. After reading this book you will know: How to spot symptoms of low testosterone in men What his best treatment option is more suitable, if he needs one How to identify and treat potential side effects before they become a problem What foods and medicines can lower his testosterone What compounding pharmacies are and how they can customized economical TRT options for him Upcoming testosterone options for women (yes, women may also need testosterone) And much more

The midwife's role is examined in the community and family-health context in this handbook on effective maternal and newborn care for midwives and other healthcare providers. The skills, competencies, and knowledge required to make informed decisions about neo- and postnatal care are covered, including anatomy and the physiology of reproduction, high-risk pregnancies, and labor and birth. Theoretical and practical issues illuminate a midwife's role in the prevention of illness in mothers and babies, with attention to the unique challenges of midwifery in developing nations. Insights from current research studies and critical questions about midwife practice will help those new to health care understand the unique challenges of this form of health-service delivery.

A book for midwives who would like to explore how best to help women cope with pain and fear. This book contains information about the physiological and psychological functions of pain; cultural influences on the experience of labour pain; elective caesareans, which are supposedly a simpler alternative; advantages and drawbacks of using pharmacological pain relief; information and ideas on how to transform labour pain into an experience of strength and power. While the book provides information on a very wide range of pain relief options and the emphasis is on maternal choice, it also presents many convincing arguments for normal physiological birth. It can therefore make a contribution to helping reduce the rate of unnecessary caesareans and help midwives improve rates of maternal satisfaction. Forewords by Dr Trudy Stevens and Dr Helene Vadeboncoeur.

This title gives printed book plus Pageburst[trademark] access. You will receive a printed book and access to the complete book content electronically. Pageburst[trademark] enhances learning not only by bringing world class content to your fingertips but also by letting you add to it, annotate it, and categorize it in a way that suits you. Pageburst[trademark] frees you to spend more time learning and less time searching. "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.

An international collaboration of lecturers, practitioners and researchers. Each chapter considers a topic relevant to normalizing maternity care. Topics include: routine interventions epidurals physiological third and fourth stages longer labors and approaches to monitoring / intervention most effective models of care birth centers home birth mental health doulas reasons for intervention links between research and practice harmonizing models of birth caseload midwifery including 'normality' on medical training courses the symbolic value of birth developments in China, the UAE, Brazil and other countries where dramatic changes are taking place (e.g. in sub-Saharan Africa) the 'natural' cesarean individual agents for change intrapartum best practice ways of supporting women laboring without pharmacological pain relief water birth VBAC the role of regulatory bodies ways of publicizing your work communication for best results review of progress and pointers for future research. Questions and extracts provide stimulating reflection and seminar material. For midwives, obstetricians, family doctors, doulas and other maternity caregivers. "I strongly recommend this book to midwives, obstetricians, doctors and hospital administrators. It carefully reviews the scientific data." Marsden Wagner-who was director of Women's and Children's Health at the World Health Organization for 15 years, before his retirement.

A book to help midwives and other health care professionals think through the practicalities of optimising pregnancies and births. After explaining precisely how 'optimal' is defined, nine reasons are presented to justify why this kind of birth is best. Finally, key practical issues are considered and reflective questions provided, so as to give caregivers a clear basis for clinical practice, wherever their place of work. This easy-read, accessible book, which is fully referenced, is equally useful for students of midwifery (or obstetrics, or medicine generally), practising midwives, doulas, and maternity care assistants. This third edition includes changes based on feedback and some additional material.

The author and her husband got pregnant easily and after that everything was hard. In elegant, spare prose, Ariel Balter unflinchingly and courageously chronicles the couple's five-year-long quest to have a child on the frontlines of the fertility industry. And though the journey ends successfully, this is not a simplistic or feel-good story. Instead, The Maternity Labyrinth raises difficult questions not only about the costs-emotional, financial, moral- of assisted reproduction but also the very human desire to become a parent. Balter has written a moving, graceful and deeply honest book.
Alexandra Enders, author of Bride Island
The Maternity Labyrinth offers a window into the very personal experience of one woman as she navigates the often bewildering, frustrating, dehumanizing and heart-wrenching experience of family building for the infertile. Ariel Balter gives voice to this experience and to the feelings that accompany it - a voice that will be welcome to many who feel alone in their struggle through the labyrinth.
Shana (Susan) G. Millstein, Ph.D., Professor of Pediatrics,
University of California, San Francisco
The Maternity Labyrinth is a must read for anyone who has gone through fertility treatments, assisted reproductive technology procedures or experienced the terrible tensions between hope and fear integral to the process. Professionals working in the fields of Infertility, Assisted Reproductive Technology, Maternity and Maternal Mental Health need this book as do family members and anyone who wants to understand the emotional nooks and crannies of playing against the odds to have a baby of one's own. The Maternity Labyrinth is a treasured gift to all of us-making sense of the twenty-first century new world of Fertility through the words of a mother who has lived it from the inside.
Diane Ehrensaft, Author of Mommies, Daddies, Donors,
Surrogates: Answering Tough Questions and Building Strong Families

Within maternity care midwives and consultant obstetricians are frequently required to collaborate together in an attempt to provide optimal care for women and their babies. In this way they are engaging in interprofessional collaboration, a much debated and increasingly popular policy agenda within health care. However, despite the growing support for interprofessional collaboration there is a limited understanding of how patient experiences are influenced by interprofessional working. This book will shed light on this issue using insights gained from midwifery clients. The stories of the women suggest that interprofessional consultation is complex with instances of subjugation and resistance occurring simultaneously as differing professional ideologies collide. The experience of midwifery clients during interprofessional consultation will be relevant for all those involved in maternity care, and for academics and professionals who are considering ways in which policy and practice can strengthen interprofessional working.

Professional Ethics For Midwives: Conscious Practice Is An Applied Ethics Book Designed For Both Students And Practicing Midwives To Build Ethical Thinking In The Context Of Daily Practice. This Unique Text Uses An Accessible Writing Style And Includes Chapters On Diversity And Justice, Informed Consent, Multiple Relationships, Confidentiality And Privacy, Scope Of Practice, And Others. Realistic Case Examples Throughout The Text Encourage Critical Thinking In Applied Ethics. The Authors Present A Unique Model For Midwives' Ethical Thinking And Appendices Include Widely Used Codes Of Ethics In The Field.