How to be a Nurse or Midwife Leader is an indispensable guide for all nurses and midwives who wish to develop and improve their practice as leaders. Written in collaboration with the NHS Leadership Academy, this practical book draws on the real experience of over 10,000 nurses and midwives to bring leadership dilemmas to life in specific situations. Key learning features include: * How to develop your self-awareness * How to develop your personal impact and presence * How to survive and thrive * How to get your message across * How to get the best out of others * How to work with and lead other professionals and patients * How to have courageous conversations * How to balance conflicting demands and needs Containing exercises and reflective questions to help apply theory to leadership practice, How to be a Nurse or Midwife Leader is an ideal companion for all nurses and midwives, whether you are newly qualified, or stepping into a team leader role.

Complexity in childbirth is growing significantly due to several factors that include increasing maternal age, rising levels of obesity and related diabetes. Women labelled as moderate or high risk are often excluded from useful strategies that low risk women enjoy, such as using water immersion for labour, aromatherapy or mobilisation. They then can immediately follow a pathway of increased surveillance and interventions that may or may not be clinically indicated. This text offers expert guidance and specialist knowledge on the evidence for normalizing and humanizing complicated or challenging pregnancies, labours and birth. It covers a range of practice issues from multiple births to breech presentations, gestational diabetes to VBAC. Comprehensively written for midwifery students and those already in practice, it's also useful for obstetricians and medical students who wish to provide more holistic maternity care and promote optimum childbirth. With case studies and helpful summaries of points for practice, this is the go-to text for those looking for up-to-date guidance on maximizing normal physiology and also normalizing or humanizing challenging or complex childbirth in midwifery practice. An essential read for today's midwife. Includes a Foreword by Professor Soo Downe, University of Central Lancashire, UK. "Normalizing Challenging or Complex Childbirth, edited by Karen Jackson and Helen Wightman, provides an insightful and informative perspective on an array of midwifery issues pertinent to today's society, including: obesity, VBAC and diabetes. Karen Jackson's first chapter 'The concept of normality in the context of challenging or complex childbirth' sets the standard for additional eminent contributing authors; and they follow with an engaging exploration and explanation of the issues which is seamless in terms of application to practice and is supported by real life case studies and key practice points. This is a must read resource for midwives, students and educators." Janet Israel, Midwifery Lecturer, Cardiff University, UK "Normalizing Challenging or Complex Childbirth provides midwives and students with a refreshingly practical and sensitive approach to caring for women when pregnancy and birth bring additional physiological challenges. New and emerging evidence on important clinical scenarios is presented with great compassion in the context of contemporary midwifery care. This book will be an important resource to midwives wishing to provide individualised sensitive care to women facing the challenge of an unexpected, or complex, pregnancy path." Julia Sanders, PhD Consultant Midwife and Reader in Midwifery, Cardiff University, UK

A unique and innovative resource for conducting ethnographic research in health care settings, Ethnographic Research in Maternal and Child Health provides a combination of ethnographic theory and an international selection of empirical case studies. The book begins with an overview of the origins and development of ethnography as a methodology, discussing underpinning theoretical perspectives, key methods and challenges related to conducting this type of research. The following substantive chapters present and reflect on ethnographic studies conducted in the fields of maternal and child health, neonatal nursing, midwifery and reproductive health. Designed for academics, postgraduate students and health practitioners within maternal and child health, family health, medical sociology, medical anthropology, medicine, midwifery, neonatal care, paediatrics, social anthropology and public health, the book will also illuminate issues that can help health practitioners to improve service delivery.

Listening Visits in Perinatal Mental Health focuses on how women and families suffering from perinatal mental illness can be supported by a wide range of practitioners. Based on the skills of attentive listening, it is designed for use by health professionals and support workers concerned with maternal mental health and the mental health of the family. This accessible guide: Covers the process and progression of perinatal mental health Discusses the types of anxiety and depression which may occur during the perinatal period Examines the impact of maternal mental illness of the infant, father and family Explores the available assessment tools, such as the EPDS Presents the theories behind the efficacy of listening and counselling skills, as well as the evidence which recommends this type of therapy Gives suggestions of alternative therapeutic approaches and further resources to explore around perinatal mental health Emphasises the importance of looking after yourself and making use of supervision and peer support. With chapters focused on listening to mothers, fathers and infants and paying attention to cultural diversity, Listening Visits in Perinatal Mental Health builds on the knowledge that many professionals working with new mothers already have about perinatal mental health. It focuses on developing the skills needed to put this knowledge into practice and includes case examples and follow-up activities throughout.

This book is the first comprehensive international overview of maternity services. Drawing on concepts of risk and social citizenship, it explores the relationship between welfare regimes and health policy by comparing and contrasting provision for childbearing women. Each substantive chapter focuses on a different country, presenting detailed contextual information on health care provision, maternity interventions and birth outcomes there. They discuss key issues such as birth rates and fertility patterns, the role of patient choice, attitudes to place of birth and maternity entitlements among others, and the countries covered represent diverse welfare regimes, including Ireland, Scotland, Sweden, the Netherlands, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. An extended introduction and a conclusion draw the book together and place it in the context of the literature on comparative welfare regimes. It is an important reference for students and academics interested in comparative social policy, health services research, and maternity services and policies.

With an increasing expectation that all health professionals, including midwives, will base their practice on evidence, this popular book demystifies the world of research for midwives in the UK. Introduction to Research for Midwives is a highly regarded resource that helps the reader develop their research skills and guides them toward using evidence effectively in their clinical work. Written clearly and simply, it covers research methods and processes, critical evaluation of research, and application of research to practice. This book is suitable for both students and practising midwives, whether they are producers or end-users of research, or simply need to understand how to critique research articles and produce literature reviews. Simple language, clear writing and structure - can be dipped into or read from cover to cover Extensive guidelines on critiquing research articles and producing successful literature reviews Student friendly - includes tips for producing successful assignments New chapter on 'How to Write an Undergraduate Dissertation' 'Conducting Research' and 'Critiquing Research' sections in each chapter - suitable for midwives using research in different ways Reflection prompts to encourage readers to engage with the narrative Reader activities to enhance learning and understanding Comprehensive and fully updated throughout Glossary to provide clear explanations of research jargon Linked to the NMC Standards and Proficiencies for Midwives, and can support professional revalidation

Essential Midwifery Practice: Public Health highlights how public health underpins every midwife's practice by using examples and case histories. It addresses a wide range of public health issues pertinent to every midwife, including: smoking in pregnancy, breastfeeding, sexual health, substance misuse, domestic abuse, perinatal mental health and vulnerable groups, poverty and social exclusion.

This concise guide offers a comprehensive step-by-step framework for midwifery students to learn about all aspects of the newborn infant physical examination (NIPE), a screening assessment completed on all babies between 6 and 72 hours of age. The Student Guide to the Newborn Infant Physical Examination encourages the reader to approach the examination in a system-based format, with case studies and practice tips to support learning. The book offers: * Evidence-based, well-illustrated assessment tools, which take into account the national screening committee standards, and is written by authors with both academic and clinical experience; * A clear direction on how to perform the NIPE in practice while exploring the wider context of screening in healthcare today; * Coverage of the changing role of the midwife, and the importance of understanding the whole context of the mother's care, health promotion and starting the practitioner-parent conversation. The Student Guide to the Newborn Infant Physical Examination is a core text for all pre-registration midwifery students and a useful resource for qualified midwives, neonatal nurses and practice nurses.

As research in neuroscience increasingly points to the unparalleled influence of the first 1000 days of life from conception to two years of age in determining the baby's life trajectory, the need for high-quality early parenting education delivered by knowledgeable and dedicated professionals becomes ever more apparent. This book describes the global aims of early parenting education. It identifies the key areas that research suggests are important: building a relationship with the unborn and newborn baby; preparing for labour and birth; supporting parents' mental health; protecting the couple relationship across the transition to parenthood; and education for special groups such as same-sex couples, women with fear of birth, prisoners, military wives and parents from black and minority ethnic backgrounds. All practitioners providing early parenting programmes - midwives, health visitors, family link workers, children's centre staff and voluntary sector teachers - will gain new ideas for their practice in this book. Students taking midwifery and early childhood courses will find much to support their studies. Ultimately, the book provides inspiration for all those who are committed to the role of parenting education in reducing social inequalities.

This book investigates why women choose 'birth outside the system' and makes connections between women's right to choose where they birth and violations of human rights within maternity care systems. Choosing to birth at home can force women out of mainstream maternity care, despite research supporting the safety of this option for low-risk women attended by midwives. When homebirth is not supported as a birthplace option, women will defy mainstream medical advice, and if a midwife is not available, choose either an unregulated careprovider or birth without assistance. This book examines the circumstances and drivers behind why women nevertheless choose homebirth by bringing legal and ethical perspectives together with the latest research on high-risk homebirth (breech and twin births), freebirth, birth with unregulated careproviders and the oppression of midwives who support unorthodox choices. Stories from women who have pursued alternatives in Australia, Europe, Russia, the UK, the US, Canada, the Middle East and India are woven through the research. Insight and practical strategies are shared by doctors, midwives, lawyers, anthropologists, sociologists and psychologists on how to manage the tension between professional obligations and women's right to bodily autonomy. This book, the first of its kind, is an important contribution to considerations of place of birth and human rights in childbirth.

It is vital that healthcare practitioners understand the psychological impact of childbirth when caring for women. This accessible guide is designed to improve the care that women receive and, as a result, public health outcomes related to maternal and infant wellbeing. This book outlines how clinicians can offer practical support to women after birth. It: discusses what we know about how women adapt to motherhood and develop a post-childbirth identity; outlines some of the causes and manifestations of post-traumatic stress following childbirth; provides practical guidance for setting up postnatal pathways for women traumatised by birth and how to communicate effectively; equips practitioners with the knowledge and skills to support pregnant women with a fear of birth; incorporates narratives from women to demonstrate how their births and related events were perceived and processed, before discussing how women's views can be used to inform future practice; highlights the importance of restorative supervision for healthcare professionals working in this area to promote staff resilience and sustainability. Drawing together theoretical knowledge, evidence, practical skills and women's narratives to help clinicians understand the psychology of childbirth and support women, it is of significant value to all healthcare practitioners engaged in maternity services.

Are you supporting students in practice? This book provides an overview of the different approaches and summarises the key NMC Standards that you need to understand. You will follow the student's journey on placement starting from the preparation needed before they arrive through to the orientation, initial interview and planning of learning, plus how to provide feedback and ensure that your assessment is fair and objective. Some of the challenges you may face will be explored, along with approaches you can use to ensure successful outcomes. This is an indispensable handbook for: both new and experienced nurses seeking practical advice academic staff who prepare and support practice supervisors and assessors students undertaking modules on teaching and learning in practice Based on the NMC standards for student supervision and assessment Offers guidance and tips on supporting and assessing students on placements Presents sections on understanding you, supporting the student with additional needs, and using simulated learning Covers how to support students who are not making the progress expected Action points at the end of each chapter will help you consolidate your learning Part of the A Nurse's Survival Guide series. Now fully aligned to the latest NMC standards and competencies on supervision and assessment.

This concise guide offers a comprehensive step-by-step framework for midwifery students to learn about all aspects of the newborn infant physical examination (NIPE), a screening assessment completed on all babies between 6 and 72 hours of age. The Student Guide to the Newborn Infant Physical Examination encourages the reader to approach the examination in a system-based format, with case studies and practice tips to support learning. The book offers: * Evidence-based, well-illustrated assessment tools, which take into account the national screening committee standards, and is written by authors with both academic and clinical experience; * A clear direction on how to perform the NIPE in practice while exploring the wider context of screening in healthcare today; * Coverage of the changing role of the midwife, and the importance of understanding the whole context of the mother's care, health promotion and starting the practitioner-parent conversation. The Student Guide to the Newborn Infant Physical Examination is a core text for all pre-registration midwifery students and a useful resource for qualified midwives, neonatal nurses and practice nurses.

Midwives are essential for healthy nations! This narrative 'herstory' uncovers some of the mysteries and challenges during the past 100 years that surrounded a beleaguered profession and its global organisation, the International Confederation of Midwives (ICM). It tells the story of the power that a unified force of strong women leading the ICM and its midwifery associations did for Safe Motherhood and empowering women throughout the world. Their efforts resulted in today's ICM being a vital standard-setting group for midwives and a respected advocate for the sexual and reproductive health and rights of adolescents and women, for healthy mothers and newborns, and, globally, for healthy nations.

Intrapartum care has undergone profound changes over the past fifty years. Essential Midwifery Practice: Intrapartum Care takes a broad sweep to examine these changes and their intersection with midwifery, in particular their impact on the midwife's role during labour and birth. It is an invaluable guide for all midwives. Essential Midwifery Practice: Intrapartum Care addresses a wide range of topics including the evolution of intrapartum care, debates about knowledge, and childbirth education. It looks at birth environments, labour rhythms, working with pain, normal birth, unusual labours, and complementary therapies. Written by key experts and providing guidance on best practice, this unique and diverse text will bring readers up-to-date with the latest research and reflection in their specialist fields. Written by key experts in their respective fields coming together for the first time Provides comprehensive examination of normal birth practice Evidence-based, bringing you up-to-date with the latest research

This practical guide helps student and practising nurses to understand the impact of their care when working with older people. With stories from older people who have had varied experiences of health care and nursing, chapters are underpinned by five key principles: providing patient-centered and dignified care, shared decision-making involving family and friends, multidisciplinary care, improving well-being through companionship and a sense of value, and an appreciation of both the challenges and rewards of working with older people. This book offers: Stories which reflect the complexity of care and health experienced by older people and their journeys. Topic-oriented chapters which provide a series of evidence-based readings which use the most up-to-date research evidence merged with national and international policy and practitioner experience. Practical tips and key messages for working with older people. The volume can be used to help nursing students and practising nurses to understand better how their care might impact positively on older people's health and well-being. This situates the reader within the world as experienced by older people.

With up to 20% of women developing a mental health problem during pregnancy or within a year of giving birth, Perinatal Mental Health provides the UK's first practical guide aimed specifically at the midwives who care for them. The book combines clinical and theoretical approaches to midwifery practice, and takes a holistic, women-centred approach to care. All aspects of perinatal mental health are covered comprehensively, including birth, support for fathers, social and cultural factors, the parent/infant relationship, and midwifery care for trans/masculine, and non-binary people. Written through a unique collaboration between experienced midwives, academics and perinatal mental health experts, this text contains all the key information needed by midwives and student midwives who may encounter women in need of mental health support during pregnancy and beyond. Practical guidance to help with the difficult conversations. Strategies to enhance psychological support for women with mental health conditions. Patient scenarios to encourage debate and reflection. Aligns with Nursing & Midwifery Council Standards. Case studies and references to national and international guidelines throughout to link theory with practice. Succinct and easy to follow text to help readers master the core issues with confidence.

""This will be a great revision tool ... Each type of question is used to enhance the development of the student by self assessment of their knowledge and understanding of the relevant anatomy and physiology and the application to practice ... I will strongly recommend this excellent text to all student midwives."
Nan Morse, Professional Head of Midwifery Education, University of Glamorgan, UK

"The Midwifery Textbook is a valuable and unique resource to midwifery ... It tests existing knowledge in complex situations whilst building upon earlier foundations ... The variety of question types available make learning and revision fun, whilst providing ideas for creative learning opportunities."
Patricia Walker, Senior Lecturer in Midwifery and Child Health, Canterbury Christ Church University, UK"

Looking for a quick and effective way to revise and test your knowledge?

This handy reference book is the essential self test resource to help student midwives to revise and prepare for their anatomy, physiology and pathophysiology exams.

This useful test book includes over 450 questions relating to your midwifery course, and includes a variety of question types including multiple choice, short answers, true and false and fill in the blanks. All the questions have detailed answers for self checking.

The book encourages you to test and improve your knowledge of numeracy and pharmacology. Topics covered include: Anatomy and physiology of pre-conception Pregnancy and post-partum Pathophysiology, illness and complications "The Midwifery Test Book" is a quick and easy reference book for students undertaking midwifery courses, to help them excel in their exams

For fans of One Born Every Minute. The Secret Midwife is a heart-breaking, engrossing and important read. At once joyful and profoundly shocking, this is the story of birth, straight from the delivery room. Strongest supporter, best friend, expert, cheerleader and chief photographer . . . Before, during and after labour the role of a midwife is second to none. The Secret Midwife reveals the highs and lows on the frontline of the maternity unit, from the mother who tries to give herself a DIY caesarean to the baby born into witness protection, and from surprise infants that arrive down toilets to ones that turn up in the lift. But there is a problem; the system which is supposed to support the midwives and the women they care for is starting to crumble. Short-staffed, over worked and underappreciated - these crippling conditions are taking their toll on the dedicated staff doing their utmost to uphold our National Health Service, and the consequences are very serious indeed.

Humanity, argues Michel Odent, stands at a crossroads in the history of childbirth - and the direction we choose to take will have critical consequences. Until recently a woman could not have had a baby without releasing a complex cocktail of 'love hormones'. In many societies today, most women give birth without relying on the release of such a flow of hormones. Some give birth via caesarean section, while others use drugs that not only block the release of these natural substances, but do not have their beneficial behavioural effects. 'This unprecedented situation must be considered in terms of civilization', says Odent, and gives us urgent new reasons to rediscover the basic needs of women in labour. At a time when pleas for the 'humanization' of childbirth are fashionable, the author suggests, rather, that we should first accept our 'mammalian' condition and give priority to the woman's need for privacy and to feel secure. The activity of the intellect, the use of language, and many cultural beliefs and rituals - which are all special to humans - are handicaps in the period surrounding birth. Says Odent: 'To give birth to her baby, the mother needs privacy. She needs to feel unobserved. The newborn baby needs the skin of the mother, the smell of the mother, her breast. These are all needs that we hold in common with the other mammals, but which humans have learned to neglect, to ignore or even deny.' Expectant parents, midwives, doulas, childbirth educators, those involved in public health, and all those interested in the future of humanity, will find this a provocative and visionary book.

Breastfeeding: New Anthropological Approaches unites sociocultural, biological, and archaeological anthropological scholarship to spark new conversations and research about breastfeeding. While breastfeeding has become the subject of intense debate in many settings, anthropological perspectives have played a limited role in these conversations. The present volume seeks to broaden discussions around breastfeeding by showcasing fresh insights gleaned from an array of theoretical and methodological approaches, which are grounded in the close study of people across the globe. Drawing on case studies and analyses of key issues in the field, the book highlights the power of anthropological research to illuminate the evolutionary, historical, biological, and sociocultural context of the complex, lived experience of breastfeeding. By bringing together researchers across three anthropological subfields, the volume seeks to produce transformative knowledge about human lactation, breastfeeding, and human milk. This book is a key resource for scholars of medical and biological anthropology, evolutionary biology, bioarchaeology, sociocultural anthropology, and human development. Lactation professionals and peer supporters, midwives, and others who support infant feeding will find the book an essential read.

The third edition of Hospice and Palliative Care is the essential guide to the hospice and palliative care movement both within the United States and around the world. Chapters provide mental-health and medical professionals with a comprehensive overview of the hospice practice as well as discussions of challenges and the future direction of the hospice movement. Updates to the new edition include advances in spiritual assessment and care, treatment of prolonged and complicated grief, provision of interdisciplinary palliative care in limited-resource settings, significant discussion of assisted suicide, primary healthcare including oncology, and more. Staff and volunteers new to the field along with experienced care providers and those using hospice and palliative care services will find this essential reading.

Research is a fundamental part of midwifery practice. However, not everyone finds it easy to understand the basic principles, and particularly the language of research. This accessible handbook enables midwives and student midwives to firstly understand how to search and make sense of research evidence, how to write a research proposal and finally how to undertake a research study. The Handbook of Midwifery Research specifically focuses on the needs of midwives and students and helps increase the knowledge and understanding of midwifery research, enabling the reader to undertake research with confidence. With case studies, learning objectives and clear examples throughout, this is an essential purchase for any midwife or student wanting to understand or undertake research. This handbook includes useful tools and techniques to assist midwives and students to keep themselves up-to-date with the best available evidence, enabling them to apply this evidence to their own clinical practice. * An essential resource for midwifery students as well as qualified midwives * Clear, straightforward, and accessible in style * Provides midwives and students with the skills to undertake research with confidence * Provides examples throughout to apply research to midwifery practice * Includes a glossary of research terms

The role of the community midwife differs dramatically from that of a hospital based practitioner but many midwifes entering this area of practice may not feel well equipped for this diverse experience. Community Midwifery Practice is the first text specifically tailored to meet the needs of community midwives, providing a practical, skills-based guide to improving and underpinning their day-to-day practice with an emphasis on 'normal' birth and the importance of developing relationships with the women they are charged with helping.
This accessible text includes information on the broad range of skills required by midwives working in community settings, providing practical guidance on issues such as supporting women with HIV/AIDS, issues surrounding domestic abuse, perinatal mental health, and pelvic girdle pain. Community Midwifery Practice will provide all midwives who work in community placements with a comprehensive, accessible tool designed to assist them in all aspects of their practice.