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.

The third volume of this successful Series brings together studies of particular relevance to the care provided by midwives for childbearing women and their families. midwifery research is essential for sound practice and is of importance as a basis for education and management. Topics in this volume include: care during pregnancy, tabour and delivery, and the post natal period midwifery education midwives responsibilities midwives careers.;The maternity services' continue to be in the public eye in the UK and the West. Debate on consumer satisfaction with the experience of pregnancy and childbirth and perinatal mortality is increasing.;This Series is intended primarily for midwives but it will be of interest to other health professionals involved in the provision of maternity care and members of social science disciplines concerned with women's health.;Sarah Robinson is Senior Research Fellow, Nursing Research Unit, King's College, London, England. Ann M Thomson is Senior Lecturer in Midwifery, School of Nursing Studies, University of Manchester and Director, Health Care Research Unit, Stockport, Tameside & Glossop College of Nursing, England.

This work looks specifically at research relevant to the care provided by midwives for childbearing women and their families.;The studies encompass many areas of midwifery practice, education and management and topics covered include antenatal care, supportive care in labour, reasons for not breast feeding, the role and responsibilities of the midwife and women's experiences of childbirth.;These studies illustrate the diversity of research methods appropriate to the study of midwifery, ranging from randomized controlled trials to evaluate the effects of clinical procedures, to detailed observational studies to describe interactions between midwives and women in their care.