Physical Examination of the Newborn at a Glance provides a comprehensive guide for all those involved with both the routine neonatal examination and the more specific full physical examination of a newborn. Covering the routine care and the competencies required to perform the examination of the newborn as set out by the Newborn and Infant Physical Examination (NIPE) Screening Programme, this beautifully illustrated book encourages the critical appraisal of personal and practice standards relating to the examination of the newborn in order to promote effective and high quality holistic care of the family unit. Encapsulating the learning requirements across a pre and post-registration audience, Physical Examination of the Newborn at a Glance is an indispensable resource for those beginning their journey to become a NIPE practitioner, as well as those who are looking to update their professional knowledge and understanding.

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.

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.

Global and national confidential inquiry reports show that 60 to 80% of maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality are due to avoidable errors. This comprehensive and illustrated second edition offers a practical guide to the management of obstetric, medical, surgical, anaesthetic and newborn emergencies in addition to organisational and training issues. The book is divided conveniently into nine sections and updated throughout in line with modern research and practice. Several new chapters cover setting up skills and drills training in maternity services to reduce avoidable harm, managing obstetric emergencies during 'home births' and in low-risk midwifery units, and minimizing maternal and fetal morbidity in failed operative vaginal delivery. Each chapter includes a practical algorithm for quick reference, the scientific basis for proposed actions, a case-based practical exercise and useful learning tools such as 'Key Pearls' and 'Key Pitfalls'. An invaluable resource for obstetricians, neonatologists, midwives, medical students, anesthesiologists and the wider perinatal team.

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

Nurses, midwives and health visitors have a statutory duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and young people. In this clear and invaluable guide, Catherine Powell focuses on the practical aspects of safeguarding and how healthcare professionals should respond to safeguarding children concerns. Key features of the book include: * Setting out the roles and responsibilities of nurses, midwives and health visitors working in a range of settings, including those working primarily with adult clients * Realistic case scenarios of physical, emotional and sexual abuse and neglect, covering infants, toddlers, school-age children and adolescents * Explanations of inter-agency working and the roles of other key players such as children's social care, the police and education services * 'Markers of Good Practice' boxes highlighting lessons for practice. The book covers the full spectrum of safeguarding children work; from prevention and early help through to statutory intervention and serious case review. New for this expanded Second Edition are: * A new chapter on child sexual exploitation, and more consideration of risks for children online * More detail on the links between domestic violence and abuse and child maltreatment * New 'Child Perspective' boxes to encourage further thought about the voice and role of the child Safeguarding and Child Protection for Nurses, Midwives and Health Visitors 2e is an essential tool for students and will be invaluable for practicing healthcare staff who face an array of complex and sensitive issues in the field of safeguarding. "Dr Catherine Powell is the Institute of Health Visiting safeguarding expert, advising us on any national safeguarding issues or changes of policy. I am personally delighted that she has updated this important book. Safeguarding is the practice area that nurses, midwives and health visitors must not shy away from. It can however provide their greatest professional challenges as well as making them feel anxious about providing correct professional responses. This is a very well-structured and comprehensive book. The author very effectively brings safeguarding responsibilities to life with the use of case studies. The recurring features in the book are helpful and I very much like the inclusion of the child or young person's perspective boxes. For the inexperienced professional this can be forgotten when swamped with a complex situation. By keeping the child's perspective at the centre of all decision-making the right decisions are more likely to be made. Perhaps of particular value to learning will be the chapter on child death and serious case reviews, something professionals seek to avoid ever being involved in, but sometimes find themselves having to face. It is therefore important to learn from these reviews of what went wrong, a breakdown in professional communication so often being a feature. This chapter explains how a serious case review is carried out and allows the reader to understand how they might be asked to contribute to the process. To have a book such as this to use as a professional companion, not only to refer to and check facts, or underpin decision making, but also to expand professional knowledge, will lead to improved safeguarding practices, prompt, appropriate interventions, and better outcomes for children and families. Safeguarding is of course everyone's business and others needing to refresh or update their skills in this area will also find the information included of great value." Dr Cheryll Adams, Director, Institute of Health Visiting, UK "This is a very readable and practical book which achieves its aim to raise awareness about good safeguarding and child protection practice. The book is intended to prepare nursing, midwifery and specialist community public health nursing students and those 'returning to practice', but it will also be of use to more experienced practitioners who work with children, young people and their families, wanting to update their learning in the field. The book clearly reflects the author's expertise and knowledge in safeguarding and child protection practice. It contains a wealth of extremely useful information presented in an easily accessible fashion. The range of case examples, practice points and new for this second edition, a 'child's perspective' box, brings the text to life and focuses the reader's attention on practice needing to be 'child-centred'. This is an excellent book, which I thoroughly recommend." Jane V. Appleton, Professor in Primary and Community Care, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences at Oxford Brookes University, UK "All nurses have a duty to inform and alert appropriate personnel if they suspect a child has been abused, and to know where they can seek expert advice and support if they have concerns. This comprehensive text providing the link between legislation, policy, research and practice will enable students and practitioners to expand their knowledge and understanding of the key issues involved in safeguarding children and young people." Fiona Smith, Professional Lead for Children and Young People's Nursing, Royal College of Nursing, UK

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.

Written by experienced nurse lecturers and a theatre nurse, Perioperative Practice highlights and explains the biological processes which can be disrupted by a major surgical procedure. Using the concept of homeostasis as a framework, the authors look at issues common to all surgical procedures such as the influence of anaesthesia on the nervous system or perioperative pain management. Individual chapters cover:
* the human body and principles of homeostasis * the surgical approach and endoscopic procedures * perioperative influences on body fluid homeostasis
* perioperative influences on immunological homeostasis and wound healing
* perioperative influences on cardiovascular homeostasis
* perioperative influences on respiratory homeostasis
* anaesthesia, stress and surgery
* pain and pain relief in the perioperative patient.
Generously illustrated in colour and black and white, the text features further learning activities and useful summaries of key points. It provides an important resource and supporting text for all nurses undertaking courses in theatre work or related areas or already working in such areas.

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.

For more than a decade, The Art and Practice of Home Visiting has been a go?to guide for effective, culturally sensitive home visits with young children and families. Now reframed as a textbook for a new generation of home visitors, this second edition includes student?friendly features, downloadable course companion materials, and fresh content on timely topics. Presenting a collaborative, family?centered approach to home visiting, Cook and Sparks prepare preservice professionals to form respectful and productive partnerships with caregivers and help each unique family reach their specific goals. Future home visitors will get practical, in?depth guidance on all the complex issues they'll face in their work with families and children, including implementing evidence?based practice; providing trauma?informed care; and addressing challenges with sleep, feeding, and behavior. A foundational text for future professionals-and an ideal source of wisdom and guidance for in?service practitioners-this book will help all home visitors master the art and practice of effective home visiting with today's diverse families. WHAT'S NEW: New student-friendly features: Learning Outcomes and Read?Reflect?Discuss Questions in each chapter, case studies, chapter summaries, and a glossary Expanded focus on all home visitors working with children with and without disabilities New and updated content on critical topics, such as resolving barriers to successful home visits and working with culturally, linguistically, and economically diverse families Expanded table of contents for easy navigation Increased focus on family?centered home visiting and the home visitor as a collaborative coach and partner for the family A complete package of downloadable companion materials for faculty ONLINE COMPANION MATERIALS: Faculty members will easily integrate this book into their courses with the online companion materials, including a sample syllabus, test bank, and PowerPoint outlines. TOPICS COVERED: history of home visiting collaboration with diverse families formal and informal assessment evidence-based intervention trauma-informed care and the pandemic the structure of effective home visits facilitation of caregiver-child relationships family empowerment interpreters and translators cross-cultural conflicts legal, ethical, and personal safety concerns common challenges such as sleep, feeding, and behavior different types of families, including military families, teenage parents, and immigrant families children with specific disorders, such as autism, Down syndrome, and motor challenges

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.

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.

The object of the author in writing this volume is to offer to nurses, and especially to those women who desire to make monthly nursing a vocation, the instruction which they need for that purpose. The book is written under a firm conviction in the mind of the author that a work of this character is needed at the present timea work that combines some information to the monthly nurse in regard to her peculiar duties with considerable instruction in midwifery. He has learned during the forty-five years that he has practiced medicine in a small city and its vicinity, that mother and nurse are often combined in the same person. The important duty of nursing the sick is so generally performed by mothers, that they also, as a class, require some scientific knowledge to be acquired by means of plain, practical instruction. And, in fact, throughout our country, every mother is liable, in an emergency, to be called upon to fill the office of an accoucheur.

Herostories reveals tales untold by most history books: the harrowing journeys and vital triumphs of 19th and 20th century midwifery in the vast landscape of Iceland. Composed from the memoirs and biographies of 100 Icelandic midwives, poet-historian Kristin Svava Tomasdottir's found poems illuminate the dangers and valor of birthwork. Forgoing traditional sagas of androcentric conquest, these poems center the adventures of ljosmaedur, "mothers of light." Tomasdottir leverages epic elements-dashing mountain treks, rivers forded on horseback, unyielding compassion-to challenge how and by whom stories become legend. The follow-up to Tomasdottir/Thors' award-winning, PEN-nominated Stormwarning, Herostories documents the professional achievements of the island's first women to work outside the home, precursors to today's midwives who remain central to contemporary Icelandic healthcare. Beyond archival recognition, the text's formally ambitious poetics render gender-based battles for literacy and education alongside narratives of selfless womanly caretaking, pressurizing the fundamental tensions between feminine self-actualization and the romanticized service of these trailblazing figures.

Sadly, women often feel they have no alternative but to give up breastfeeding, having been prescribed or purchased medication. In many cases, however, this is unnecessary. This book outlines the evidence base for the use of medication during breastfeeding. Breastfeeding and Medication presents a comprehensive A to Z guide to the most frequently prescribed drugs and their safety for breastfeeding mothers. Evaluating the evidence for interventions and using a simple format for quickly identifying medications that are safe or unsafe to use, it also highlights those drugs where there is inconclusive evidence. Additional contextual information makes this the most complete text for those practitioners who support and treat breastfeeding women. It: provides an overview of the anatomy and physiology of the breast together with hormonal influences to better understand how complications, such as mastitis, arise and inform the approach to their treatment; includes a section on conditions that affect women specifically when they are lactating where prescription of medication may be necessary; discusses the importance of breastfeeding and its advantages, as well as its disadvantages; and explores how to support breastfeeding mothers, and presents a counselling model approach. This new edition contains information on more drugs and a chapter on the management of some chronic conditions which may affect breastfeeding mothers. In most cases there are options to support the mother's optimal care whilst allowing her to continue to breastfeed her baby as long as she wishes. This is a topic which raises many questions on social media, which informed the choice of conditions to consider. This is an invaluable reference for all health practitioners and volunteers who work with, support and treat breastfeeding women, including lactation consultants, breastfeeding support workers, health visitors, GPs, practice nurses, pharmacists and midwives.

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 second edition of the popular Midwifery Essentials series continues to help readers understand and master a range of core issues safely and with confidence! Written by leading midwifery academics, each book in the series provides a user-friendly source of information which has been fully updated thruoghout to reflect the latest evidence-base for current practice. Now with an improved design to make learning as easy as possible, each paperback in the series focuses on the importance of communication and comtemporary women-centred care and presents helpful 'scenarios' to encourage debate and reflection. Helpful 'jigsaw' approach enables readers to explore specific topics from a variety of perspectives e.g. effective communication, team working and health promotion Explains the professional and legal issues surrounding current practice Chapters designed to be read as a 'standalone' or in succession Makes reference to the latest national and international guidelines Embraces the principles of 'Better Births' Makes reference to the latest national and international guidelines Embraces the principles of 'Better Births'

Assess the nature and severity of callers' symptoms quickly and confidently, with Telephone Triage Protocols for Nurses, 6th Edition. More than 200 alpha-organized protocols address a wide range of symptoms, disorders and medical emergencies, while the flow chart format leads callers to provide vital Yes or No answers to appropriate questions. This comprehensive manual - a must-have for nurses both new and experienced - offers accurate care recommendations even when client information is limited. Follow expert direction and make quick, accurate assessments ... NEW and updated protocols offer current best practices and reflect changes in access to medications and health care Protocols address adult, pediatric, geriatric, maternal/child, home health concerns, current health issues, and communicable disease outbreaks NEW protocols include arthritis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), elder abuse, stroke symptoms, and Zika virus Post-operative conditions and considerations have been added to numerous protocols Expanded appendices include altered mental status, PTSD, suicide prevention, and emergency preparedness Alpha-organized protocols help you quickly locate topics by symptom or condition Table of contents by body system helps you quickly locate topics by body system, body part or set of related symptoms Peer-reviewed by nursing experts Easy-to-follow question-asking flow chart - Yes or No answers lead to specific care recommendations Ideal guidance for all nurses, particularly those in triage and ambulatory practice Sorts life-threatening problems from those not requiring physician or emergency care Increases consistency of advice and documentation Nurse Alerts - help the nurse identify potentially life-threatening conditions related to the symptoms and provides additional information to consider when choosing a protocol or triaging the caller's concern Symptoms alpha-organized and grouped by level of urgency, addressing injuries, trauma, pain, swelling and other symptoms for: Body part problems Body system problems Chronic and infectious diseases Behavioral problems Pediatric-specific problems Maternal/obstetric specific problems or conditions Sections under every symptom or condition include: Key Questions to ask caller Other Protocols to Consider Reminder - what to note for proper documentation Assessment - Yes or No questions to determine the urgency of symptoms or conditions Actions - clear direction following Yes or No answers to questions Immediate actions - proven protocols that refer caller to emergency, physician, or at-home care instructions Home Care Instructions - comprehensive actions to take before emergency care, before appointment, or at-home care Emergency Instructions - in-the-moment first aid Report the Following Problems - what caller should tell their personal or ER physician Seek Emergency Care Immediately - if certain symptoms occur Reminder to determine if caller agrees with the advice provided and if not, reevaluate Must-have resource for medical offices, clinics, schools, community referrals, emergency departments, urgent care centers, home health agencies and managed healthcare providers About the Author Julie Briggs, RN, BSN, MHA, has an extensive background in Emergency Nursing, Management, Telephone Triage, Emergency Preparedness, Utilization Review and Quality Management. She is currently providing consulting and training services. She has been employed by Providence Health and Services in Portland, Oregon for the past 15 years in the capacity of Medical Management RN Care Coordinator and as the Manager of the Emergency Department at Providence St. Vincent Medical Center. Additionally, she served in the role of Director for multiple units including the Emergency Department, Critical Care, Cardiac Cath Lab, Ambulatory Care, and Radiology for 13 years at Good Samaritan Medical Center in Puyallup, Washington. She has authored numerous books in Telephone Triage, Emergency Nursing Triage, and Homemaker/Home Health Aide Training.

Bringing together the stories and experiences of LGBT+ parents as well as professionals in the field, this guide explains what healthcare and birth workers can do to improve care for their clients. It broadens the ability to understand those who birth and parent beyond the heteronormative and cisgender binary. Covering topics such as LGBT+ and neurodiversity, surrogacy and lactation, as well as including interviews from Jake Graf, Freddy McConnell and Sabia Wade, AJ Silver brings to light the failures of the maternity system for LGBT+ parents and discusses how these mistakes can be avoided. A compelling, educational, and motivational book, Supporting Queer Birth is essential reading for birth workers and healthcare professionals.

The right for every woman to have a 'natural' birth has been recognized for many years, yet surgical interventions continue to rise and, paradoxically, complaints and the degree of litigation for disappointing labor outcomes escalate. Proactive Support of Labor enhances professional skills by providing the expertise for preventing long labors - the root-cause of traumatic birth experiences and the cesarean pandemic. Step-by-step, evidence-based guidance on expert care and support during labor is given. Emphasis is placed on pre-labor education, personal attention, and well-defined birth planning - including strict diagnoses and timely corrective measures in abnormal labor - and constant audit of all procedures and outcomes. Striking a new balance between natural birth and intervention, and invariably enhancing women's satisfaction with the childbirth experience, the fully updated revision of this groundbreaking work will be essential reading for obstetricians, midwives, nurses, and trainees. For peer and reader reviews of the first edition see: www.proactivesupportoflabor.com.

Over the last hundred years, pregnancy and childbirth has become increasingly safe - yet it is still a site of risk, and a contested ground on which health professionals and pregnant women both face high costs of error. In this context, all those involved in managing pregnancy and birth are expected to identify and mitigate risk: pregnant women are subject to increasing surveillance to ensure the safety of the unborn foetus, and every aspect of childbearing is increasingly medicalised. This publication brings together fascinating social science research to explore the ways in which risk is both created and managed in pregnancy and childbirth. The introductory chapters reflect on the changing social context of childbirth, in particular the medicalisation of both pregnancy and childbirth with development of specialist practitioners, such as obstetricians and midwives who claim to have the knowledge, technology and skills to identify and manage the risks involved. The next three chapters that examine the ways in which women's behaviour during pregnancy is constructed as potentially risky -- for example smoking, drinking alcohol and taking drugs, and how these risks are monitored and mitigated. The final two parts of the book address the construction of and responses to both medicalisation and risk in childbirth. Altogether, it represents a valuable insight into the complex world of pregnancy, childbirth and risk. This book brings together editorials and articles originally published in special and open issues of Health, Risk and Society.

Legal and ethical competence is a cornerstone of professional midwifery practice and an essential part of midwifery training. Law and Ethics for Midwifery is a unique and practical resource for student midwives. Written by an experienced midwifery lecturer, this text draws on a wide variety of real life case studies and focuses particularly on the core areas of accountability, autonomy and advocacy. Opening with two chapters providing overviews respectively of ethical theories and legislation, the book is then arranged thematically. These chapters have a common structure which includes case studies, relevant legislation, reflective activities and a summary, and they run across areas of concern from negligence through safeguarding to record-keeping. Grounded in midwifery practice, the text enables student midwives to consider and prepare for ethical and legal dilemmas they may face as midwives in clinical practice.

The role of traditional midwives varies across cultures and at different times and even today these traditional practitioners attend the majority of deliveries in rural areas in developing countries. According to WHO, each year 45 million births occur at home without skilled health personnel. Skilled attendants assist in more than 99% of births in more developed countries, versus 62% in developing countries. In many rural and periurban communities, the perinatal care that traditional midwives offer is generally profoundly rooted in the local culture and collectively valuated as the result of hand-on experience. There is little doubt that traditional midwives play an important role when it comes to cultural competence, empathy and psychosocial support at birth with important benefits for the mother and the new-born baby. This book discusses global perspectives, practices and challenges involved in midwifery.