This book reveals how giving birth is an inherently safe, relatively painless process that is best performed without the assistance of doctors or midwives, and how confidence and a positive attitude reduces fear-and therefore the pain-of labor. According to Laura Kaplan Shanley, a renowned leader in the natural-birth movement, human birth is inherently safe and relatively painless-provided we refrain from physical or psychological interference. The problems often associated with birth can be traced to three main factors: poverty, unnecessary medical intervention, and fear. When these causes are eliminated, most women can give birth either alone or with the help of a partner, friends, or family. This second edition of Unassisted Childbirth leads with a history of childbirth and then describes how most deliveries occur today, detailing why these processes don't serve mothers or babies. The information in this unique book gives women yet another legitimate choice in childbirth that doesn't rely on doctors and technology, and allows parents, birth professionals, and general readers to reexamine their most basic ideas about birth and learn to think in new ways. A bibliography of unassisted childbirth resources

The changes that are happening within midwifery are of concern to those within the health care system, the academic world and those whose lives are touched by midwifery care. Failure to Progress reflects on the current situation and questions whether it is the most appropriate way of providing care for the childbearing woman. The book discusses what is happening both within midwifery as well as to midwifery as a profession in the context of social change. Topics covered include:
* the evolution of the midwifes role
* women's issues
* the functioning of the midwife within the health care system
* the effects of organisational change
* the relationships of the midwife with the woman she cares for and with medical practitioners.

All of the contributors to Failure to Progress are actively involved with the provision of care to the childbearing woman, and most are practising midwives. Together they build up a comprehensive picture of midwifery today which will be relevant to all midwifery students, practitioners and policy makers and not least to the consumers of midwifery care.

The Essential Reference for Professionals Working with Breastfeeding Mothers - Now Published by Springer Publishing Company Medications & Mothers' Milk is the worldwide-bestselling drug reference on the use of medications in breastfeeding mothers, providing you with the most current, complete, and evidence-based information. Extensively updated throughout, the 17th Edition includes hundreds of new drugs, diseases, vaccines, and syndromes. The appendices provide information on radioactive drugs and tests, and over-the-counter drugs. Written by world-renowned Clinical Pharmacologist, Dr. Thomas Hale, and assisted by Dr. Hilary Rowe, this drug reference provides everything that is known about the transfer of various medications into human milk, the use of radiopharmaceuticals, the use of chemotherapeutic agents, and vaccines in breastfeeding mothers. Features: Updated throughout with new data on 1,115 drugs, syndromes, vaccines, and herbals. Contains new tables to compare the suitability of psychiatric medications and pain medication. Includes many new radiocontrast agents and other diagnostic procedures.

In the decade since the first edition of this work was published, an incredible array of reproductive technologies and associated issues has emerged. Obstetricians and gynecologists are hard-pressed to deal with the startling breadth and depth of these issues, which require mastery over a daunting combination of ever-increasing scientific knowledge, technical skills, long hours, legal liability, and exposure to clinical situations of overwhelming emotional intensity.

Psychiatrists have a vital role to play in helping obstetricians and gynecologists cope with a host of problems whose resolutions require not just technical skill, but also knowledge of biology, psychology, sociology, anthropology, ethics, and law. For example, to design and implement strategies to reduce the transmission of HIV, psychiatrists could work with public health workers to incorporate the psychology, sociology, and anthropology of female reproductive behavior. Psychiatrists could likewise improve the diagnosis and treatment of breast and pelvic malignancies by elucidating the factors that deter women from self-examination and regular medical screening and enhance treatment compliance.

Divided into three sections, this clinical and theoretical sourcebook addresses every major area of contemporary concern. - Pregnancy covers topics from the psychology of normal gestation to physical and psychiatric complications during and after pregnancy, including new prenatal diagnostic techniques and the dynamic issues that emerge when abnormalities are detected, and the use of psychotropic drugs and electroconvulsive therapy in pregnant and lactating patients.- Gynecology discusses not only common gynecologic problems but also more controversial issues such as induced abortion and the new reproductive technologies, including the role of the menstrual cycle in exacerbating and precipitating psychologic symptoms, the psychiatric aspects of menopause, the assessment and management of chronic pelvic pain, the psychosocial concomitants of gynecologic malignancies and the emotional demands on the oncology team, and the special implications of HIV/AIDS.- General Issues offers a broad, balanced view of topics rarely found in the literature, such as men's reactions to women's reproductive events, substance abuse and eating disorders, sexual and physical abuse (often part of the histories of patients with personality disorders and posttraumatic stress disorders), ethical and legal issues, and health care for lesbian patients. Of special significance is Dr. Stotland's chapter on how consultation-liaison services are provided to obstetrics and gynecology services.

This practical and scholarly volume is exceptionally useful as a teaching reference for medical and other health care students and residents in psychiatry and obstetrics and gynecology. It also provides a valuable resource for the clinician working to improve the psychological well-being of women patients.

All persons, while different from one another, have the same value: this is the author's relatively uncontroversial starting point. Her end point is not uncontroversial: an ideal of justice as human flourishing, based on each person's unique set of capabilities. Because the book's focus is women's health care, gender justice, a necessary component of justice, is central to examination of the issues. Classical pragmatists and feminist standpoint theorists are enlisted in support of a strategy by which gender justice is promoted. Two features of the book are unique: (1) the topics presented cover the entire life span of women, not just those related to reproduction; (2) a range views about moral status are applied not only to fetuses but also to individuals already born. Attention to these features is intended to facilitate ethical consistency or moral integrity and respect for those who hold different moral views. While delineating and defending the book's perspective, the first section provides an overview of bioethics, critiques prevalent approaches to bioethics and models of the physician-patient relationship, and sketches distinguishing aspects of women's health care that are prevalently neglected. Positions about moral status are also presented. The second section identifies topics that are indirectly as well as directly related to women's health, such as domestic violence and caregiving. Brief cases illustrate variables relevant to each topic. Empirical and theoretical considerations follow each set of cases; these are intended to precipitate more expansive and critical examination of the issues raised. The last section is devoted to an egalitarian ideal that may be pursued throughan ethic of virtue or supererogation rather than obligation. By embracing this ideal, according to the author, moral agents support a more demanding level of morality than guidelines or laws require.

Novel Approaches into the Origins of Neurodevelopmental Disorders: The Fetal Physiology Foundation Over the past two decades, autism, a neurodevelopmental disorder that is defined by behavior and was once believed to be rare, became recognized in increasing numbers of children and recently received distinction as an "epidemic" [1]. While numbers of affected children have steadily increased, our knowledge is still ins- ficient to explain autism's diverse causes and broad range of presentations. Despite remarkable progress in research, available medical diagnostic testing applies only to a small minority of affected children. Thus, scientifically based explanations with which physicians can diagnose and treat the majority of children with autism and advise their parents are quite limited. Our society and scientific community were unprepared for the rise in autism, which explains our present inability to understand most of its causes. Researchers in neurodevelopmental disorders have long been aware of other disorders that, despite extensive efforts, have not yielded clear genetic or environmental origins, and autism has become symbolic of the need for new approaches to research into these complex conditions. Although autism has captured our attention in recent years, the prevalence of other neurodevelopmental disorders such as attention de- cit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and bipolar disorder, among others, also has been increasing [2-4].

The advent of hormonal infertility treatments and in vitro fertilization techniques have led to a sharp increase in the number of quadruplet and higher-order conceptions in recent years. Improved neonatal care and nutrition have meant that many more of these babies survive. Yet it appears that very little research has been done into the lives of such children and the psychodevelopmental consequences of their multiple status. In this book, Marie M. Clay brings together what is known from historical records and reports in the medical, psychological, and popular press. She points to the contribution that research studies on higher multiple sets could make to our understanding of genetic-environmental interactions and gives valuable methodological advice for those wishing to initiate such a study. Changes in social practices and medical knowledge are highlighted, various aspects of pregnancy and birth are discussed, and the practical and emotional problems faced by families of multiple sets are sensitively described. Appended to the book are an illustrated 'Catalog' of quadruplet case reports gleaned from the literature, including birth details and postnatal histories, plus a directory of multiple birth associations, support groups, and study centers around the world.

In this issue, guest editors bring their considerable expertise to this important topic. Provides in-depth reviews on the latest updates in the field, providing actionable insights for clinical practice. Presents the latest information on this timely, focused topic under the leadership of experienced editors in the field. Authors synthesize and distill the latest research and practice guidelines to create these timely topic-based reviews.

This volume examines one health issue -- breast implants -- across a series of contexts often thought to be separate -- media coverage, doctor-patient interaction, doctor-doctor professional communication, support group dialogues, public relations campaigns, and more. In so doing, it provides a narrative of how communication shapes the individual perceptions of health, government, and social policy concerning health care.
At the core of the silicone breast implant controversy is the need for people to act amid uncertainty about the health risks involved. This need to weigh action in the midst of uncertain risk characterizes a large number of health issues. The attempts of patients, physicians, drug manufacturers, and others to seek and provide both information and influence makes communication central to these issues. Consequently, the questions explored in this volume will interest a diverse group of readers. This audience includes plastic surgeons in particular, physicians in general, and anyone involved with women's health issues. As the medical profession struggles with its identity amid changes in public attitudes, government regulations, and medical practices, this volume's findings concerning media portrayals of doctors and medical devices become even more important.
Finally, this study reveals how interrelated public information and private decisions are, and how closely media and interpersonal relationships fit. Tracing one medical issue across interpersonal, organizational, public relations, and mediated forums has clearly demonstrated the multiple ways those communication channels overlap and inform one another.

This book aims to provide an up-to-date review of the literature in each of the major areas relating to the management of older gynecological cancer patients, and makes recommendations for best practice and future research. The authors come from a broad geographic spread including the UK, mainland Europe and North America to ensure a worldwide relevance.

In this issue of Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinics, guest editors Patrice Weiss and Jessica F. Partin bring their considerable expertise to the topic of Management of Benign and Malignant Breast Disease. Provides in-depth reviews on the latest in Management of Benign and Malignant Breast Disease. Presents the latest information on this timely, focused topic under the leadership of experienced editors in the field; Authors synthesize and distill the latest research and practice guidelines to create these timely topic-based reviews.

Here is an informative book that provides theoretical perspectives on the study of fetal movement and introduces observational assessments that can be used in fetal research. It provides research tools that can be used to delineate early patterns of movement, preparing therapists for neonatal intervention and leading to a better understanding of functional activity of the fetus. Concepts in Fetal Movement Research describes various ideas in fetal development and contains original research on a variety of topics, including: the way in which events experienced in utero help neonatal interaction with parents inductive and deductive approaches to assessment development scapular movement activity/inactivity of the 12-20 week old fetus two different research tools for assessing fetal movement. future directions for research by physical therapists in collaboration with other researchersResearchers, clinicians, obstetricians, radiologists, sonographers, and neonatologists will all find this book full of helpful information. Concepts in Fetal Movement Research is an invaluable guide for both their research and their day-to-day work with patients.

This is a study of the work and life of district midwives from 1948 to 1972 in Nottingham, which was one of the last UK cities to build a central maternity unit. The author statistically examines the outcome of home births in the area, taking into account the Parliamentary Reports of 1992 and 1993 and demonstrating the safety and value to society of district midwives.

h America: Equine Practice h America: Equine Practice

Representing the most relevant procedures and technologies aiding the advance of the field of HPV-mediated carcinogenesis of the cervix and other anatomical regions of squamocolumnar transition, such as the anorectum, penis, and oropharynx, Cervical Cancer: Methods and Protocols compiles a detailed collection of practical chapters. The first half of the book covers HPV types, pathogenesis of cervical cancer (CxCA), prevention, and novel potential drug targets, while the second half explores pathology, genomics, modeling of CxCA, and experimental therapeutic strategies. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series format, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and vital, Cervical Cancer: Methods and Protocols serves as a valuable resource to both bench scientists and clinicians who step into the realm of high-risk HPVs and CxCA for the first time or those who wish to learn novel approaches or expand their toolbox for the study of CxCA.

Infectious diseases remain a major problem for physicians and other health professionals dealing with problems of the reproductive system. Accordingly, this two-volume comprehensive presentation of infectious diseases involving the male and female reproductive systems promises to be a major contribution in this field and to fill a much-needed vacuum. During the past three decades, the introduction of antimicrobial therapy has dramatically altered both the clinical presentation and the therapeutic approaches employed in dealing with the traditional infections of the repro ductive system. In addition, the changing demographics of infectious problems in the industrial countries and the developing world have been a source of concern. A good deal of important information on this topic is included in this series. In recent years, considerable attention has been given to the role of Myco plasma and Chlamydia in both male and female infertility and the problems related to genital herpes and human papilloma virus infections. Current clinical information is included on these infections as well as on newer aspects of diagnosis, such as the use of laparoscopy in the diagnosis and treatment of pelvic inflammatory disease. Also addressed is new information regarding the role of actinomycosis in pelvic infections; current problems such as toxic shock syndrome and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) are reviewed as well. New concepts are included in these vohimes to complement the clinical information. The attachment of microbial organisms to sperm may help to explain access of these and other organisms to the upper female genital tract.

Congenital malformations are worldwide occurrences, they know no national borders, do not distinguish between races, ethnicities, rich or poor. These severe physical abnormalities, present at birth, happen more often than is usually realized, once in every 33 births. They strike every part of the body, limbs, head, heart, and all others.

The most frequent of them all are the many types of malformations of the cardiovascular system, the heart and its blood vessels, which happen in about once in every 250 births. Study of these conditions during the twentieth century took many forms, revolving about examination and analysis of their causes, genetic, nongenetic, and complex. To aid in unraveling the complexities of this causation, various influences on their frequency are considered, among them social conditions, maternal health, birthweight, newborn maturity. And of course the known and possible environmental bases of their occurrence are fully described.
The relation of infant death to cardiovascular malformation is noted; and puzzlement that the level of such deaths had not kept pace with the reduction of infant death itself and of that associated with other kinds of malformations during this period.

An introductory record of the history of perinatal mortality in the last three centuries gives foundation for the discussion of death in contemporary decades.

In this issue of Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinics, Guest Editors Nathan Blue and Bob Silver bring their considerable expertise to the topic of Fetal Growth. Top experts in the field cover key topics such as placental function and physiology of fetal growth, fetal growth and stillbirth, fetal growth in multiple gestations, and more. Provides concise and comprehensive coverage of the issues physicians face every day. Presents the latest information on a timely, focused topic under the leadership of experienced editors in the field. Contains 12 relevant, practice-oriented topics including recurrence risk of FGR, fetal growth curves, diagnosis of FGR and LGA, routine third trimester sonograms, and more.

This is the third volume on gastrointestinal cancer of the Cancer Treatment and Research Series. The emphasis in this volume is to present a series of papers on areas of high clinical relevance in malignant diseases of the gut. As in the first and second volumes of this series, authors have been selected for their expertise and national and international prominence in their fields. This volume is organized so that papers explaining basic science pro spec tives proceed those dealing with clinical aspects of gastrointestinal cancer. It is clear that in many instances advances gastrointestinal carcinoma cannot be effectively treated if ' cure' is the desired goal. When faced with poorly treatable diseases it is obviously important to look toward the causes and prevention of these illnesses. For this reason, there are several chapters in this volume that examine the issue of carcinogenesis of gastrointestinal cancer. Likewise, in diseases that are poorly treatable in advances stages, one is interested in early detection. Thus, early screening of populations becomes important and is dealt with in three papers in this volume. Chapt ers on treatment explore innovative approaches to therapy of gastrointesti nal cancer. Second-look surgery with resection, arterial perfusion with che motherapy, adjuvant therapy and neoadjuvant therapy are all addressed in various chapters in this volume. Finally, four chapters deal with unusual problems in gastrointestinal cancer. These papers include discussions ofpri mary hepatobillary cancer, lymphoma of the gut, and gastrointestinal endo crine tumors."