One of the most dramatic changes to women's lives in the twentieth century was the advent of safe childbirth, reducing the maternal mortality rate from 1 in 400 births to 1 in 10,000 in just 80 years. The impetus behind this change was the Confidential Enquiries into Maternal Death (CEMD), now the world's longest running self-audit of a healthcare service. Here, leading authors in the CEMD tell the story of the pioneering clinicians behind the push for improvements, who received little recognition for their work despite its far-reaching consequences. One by one, the leading causes of maternal death were identified and resolved, from sepsis to safe abortions and more recently psychiatric illness and social and ethnic disparities in healthcare. Global maternal mortality is still too high; this valuable book shows how significant advances in maternal healthcare are possible when clinicians, politicians and the public work together.

This work includes Foreword by Phillip J S Steer, Professor of Obstetrics, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London. It includes Introduction by Gwyneth Lewis, National Clinical Lead for Maternal Health and Maternity Services, Department of Health, England and Director of the UK Confidential Enquiries into Maternal Deaths. 'The reductions in maternal mortality over the last half century are an eloquent testimony to the value of the technical expertise in life support that anaesthetists bring to the management of labour complications. Many direct causes of maternal death have been substantially reduced as a result of anaesthetic innovations ranging from advances in regional anaesthesia to the panoply of techniques used in intensive care. This book is essential reading.' - Phillip J Steer, in his Foreword. Offering a unique insight into real cases, this book covers the physiology, pharmacology and organisational factors involved in previous maternal deaths, highlighting key lessons to be learnt. This practical guide provides an ideal introduction for new anaesthetists and up-to-date information for senior practitioners, particularly those who cover labour wards. It is also invaluable for anaesthetic nurses, obstetricians and midwives. 'For more than 50 years the Confidential Enquiries into Maternal Deaths in the UK have collected together invaluable information about why mothers die in pregnancy and childbirth. For the first time ever, this unique book collects together all the valuable lessons into one volume. Experts in their fields provide a physiological, pharmacological, and evidence based commentary on the events of each death. The overall result pays homage to the value of collecting together lessons from the past, and we hope will help people avoid repetition of these situations in the future.' - Daryl Dob, Anita Holdcroft and Griselda Cooper, in the Preface.

"Managing Obesity in the Workplace" comprehensively examines how obesity impacts business and provides examples of action that can be taken by employers to prevent weight gain and facilitate weight loss in their staff. A considered, evidence-based analysis of the extent of the obesity problem reveals how this public health epidemic affects all workplaces influencing fitness to work, sickness absence, discrimination and bullying.Case studies from around the world clearly illustrate the extent of the problem and offer practical, innovative and budget friendly solutions for all businesses, large and small. With a focus on nutrition, physical activity, motivation and education, this book is ideal for occupational health professionals, public health and primary care doctors and nurses, health and safety officers, and nutritionists and dieticians. Organisations promoting workplace health, including sports/exercise equipment suppliers, will find it enlightening reading, as will business owners and managers.