This book provides both a comprehensive introduction to Business English for teachers who are new to the field, as well as inspiration and guidance for those already involved in this area. This book deals with a range of issues from needs analysis and course planning to testing and evaluation. The emphasis throughout is practical, and a large part of the book focuses on classroom procedures.

An international collaboration of lecturers, practitioners and researchers. Each chapter considers a topic relevant to normalising maternity care. Topics include: routine interventions epidurals physiological third and fourth stages longer labours and approaches to monitoring / intervention most effective models of care birth centres home birth mental health doulas reasons for intervention links between research and practice harmonising models of birth caseload midwifery including 'normality' on medical training courses the symbolic value of birth developments in China, the UAE, Brazil and other countries where dramatic changes are taking place (e.g. in sub-Saharan Africa) the 'natural' caesarean individual agents for change intrapartum best practice ways of supporting women labouring without pharmacological pain relief water birth VBAC the role of regulatory bodies ways of publicising your work communication for best results review of progress and pointers for future research. Questions and extracts provide stimulating reflection and seminar material. For midwives, obstetricians, GPs, doulas and other maternity caregivers. "I strongly recommend this book to midwives, obstetricians, doctors and hospital administrators. It carefully reviews the scientific data." Marsden Wagner-who was director of Women's and Children's Health at the World Health Organization for 15 years, before his retirement. Questions and extracts provide stimulating reflection and seminar material. For midwives, obstetricians, GPs, doulas and other maternity caregivers. "I strongly recommend this book to midwives, obstetricians, doctors and hospital administrators. It carefully reviews the scientific data." Marsden Wagner-who was director of Women's and Children's Health at the World Health Organization for 15 years, before his retirement

A book to help midwives, obstetricians and other health care professionals think through the practicalities of optimizing pregnancies and births. After explaining precisely how 'optimal' is defined, eight reasons are presented to justify why this kind of birth is best. Finally, key practical issues are considered and reflective questions provided, so as to give caregivers a clear basis for clinical practice, wherever their place of work. This easy-read, accessible book is equally useful for students of midwifery (or obstetrics, or medicine generally), practicing midwives (including CNMs), family doctors, doulas, and maternity care assistants.

Based on a first-hand account of a worker involved in campaigning for better rights and conditions for himself and his co-workers, this book reveals how one individual working in the mining industry in the UK in the second half of the 20th century managed to effect real change. His words and actions are truly inspirational and serve as a timely reminder of how far we've come, as well as how influential one person can really be - whatever his current economic or political standing. Peppered with primary source documents, photographs and contributions from members of the original author's family, the book makes interesting reading for anyone who cares about justice, equality and dignity. Most importantly, it puts our current economic and political challenges in perspective... Do we really have so much to complain about? Dangerously, or fortunately perhaps (since it's clear we all stand to benefit), this book is likely to spur any would-be campaigner to take up arms and fight.

An international collaboration of lecturers, practitioners and researchers. Each chapter considers a topic relevant to normalizing maternity care. Topics include: routine interventions epidurals physiological third and fourth stages longer labors and approaches to monitoring / intervention most effective models of care birth centers home birth mental health doulas reasons for intervention links between research and practice harmonizing models of birth caseload midwifery including 'normality' on medical training courses the symbolic value of birth developments in China, the UAE, Brazil and other countries where dramatic changes are taking place (e.g. in sub-Saharan Africa) the 'natural' cesarean individual agents for change intrapartum best practice ways of supporting women laboring without pharmacological pain relief water birth VBAC the role of regulatory bodies ways of publicizing your work communication for best results review of progress and pointers for future research. Questions and extracts provide stimulating reflection and seminar material. For midwives, obstetricians, family doctors, doulas and other maternity caregivers. "I strongly recommend this book to midwives, obstetricians, doctors and hospital administrators. It carefully reviews the scientific data." Marsden Wagner-who was director of Women's and Children's Health at the World Health Organization for 15 years, before his retirement.

This book is for any woman considering a vaginal birth after one or more previous cesareans. What are the risks? What are the advantages? What is the best choice in your particular case? The author, Helene Vadeboncoeur, takes you through the research and also gives you a glimpse into other women's experiences through the use of first-hand accounts. It was, in fact, the author's experience of two very different births (one a cesarean, the next a VBAC) that inspired her to get a PhD. In her thesis she explored how women experience giving birth in hospital. Helene wanted to consider questions about birth because this is such an important event in women's lives. For over 10 years since then, she has divided her time between teaching and participating in research projects. (She is currently on the Board of the International MotherBaby Childbirth Organization.) She also regularly gives talks at conferences around the world. This means that you not only get the benefit of advice from a woman who's been through both a cesarean and a VBAC, you also get taken through the most up-to-date research. Serious information is presented in an upbeat, readable style. Comment from an obstetrician: "As a professional who is concerned about the risk in the cesarean rate I would like to suggest that all women who have anything to do with cesareans read this book. The author has collected research data and precious accounts, which will help women make an informed choice as to how to give birth to their babies." Feedback from a midwife: "Helene Vadeboncoeur offers women an important tool to support them if they choose to give birth vaginally after a previous cesarean." Comment from a VBAC mom: "This book can help you heal the inner scars that every cesarean leaves behind. It'll also help you prepare and inform yourself to make a different journey with your next birth."

A book for pregnant women who would like to explore how best to cope with pain and fear - during their pregnancies and also during labour and birth. This book contains information about the physical and psychological functions of pain; cultural influences on the experience of labour pain; elective caesareans (are they a simpler alternative?); advantages and drawbacks of using drug-based pain relief; information and ideas on how to transform labour pain into an experience of strength and power. This book provides information on a very wide range of pain relief options, based on the author's experience of helping women and giving birth herself. Especially useful for women who want to have a straightforward natural birth, avoiding drugs during labour, if at all possible. The author is a midwife with over 30 years' experience and also a mother herself.

A book to help midwives and other health care professionals think through the practicalities of optimising pregnancies and births. After explaining precisely how 'optimal' is defined, nine reasons are presented to justify why this kind of birth is best. Finally, key practical issues are considered and reflective questions provided, so as to give caregivers a clear basis for clinical practice, wherever their place of work. This easy-read, accessible book, which is fully referenced, is equally useful for students of midwifery (or obstetrics, or medicine generally), practising midwives, doulas, and maternity care assistants. This third edition includes changes based on feedback and some additional material.

A book for midwives who would like to explore how best to help women cope with pain and fear. This book contains information about the physiological and psychological functions of pain; cultural influences on the experience of labour pain; elective caesareans, which are supposedly a simpler alternative; advantages and drawbacks of using pharmacological pain relief; information and ideas on how to transform labour pain into an experience of strength and power. While the book provides information on a very wide range of pain relief options and the emphasis is on maternal choice, it also presents many convincing arguments for normal physiological birth. It can therefore make a contribution to helping reduce the rate of unnecessary caesareans and help midwives improve rates of maternal satisfaction. Forewords by Dr Trudy Stevens and Dr Helene Vadeboncoeur.

A book for pregnant women who would prefer to give birth with as little intervention as possible, so as to make things as good as possible for both themselves and their babies. The 'countdown' takes the reader through 10 key topics, and all discussion of issues is supplemented with birth stories and comments from all kinds of women and professionals too. The tone is practical, reassuring and even inspirational because the many positive birth stories show how it's possible to have a really happy, healthy experience of birth. Contributions come from Janet Balaskas (the woman who realised we're better off not lying down when we give birth ), Michel Odent (pioneer of water births) and Bill Bryson (the travel writer)... as well as from many other experts and 'ordinary' but extraordinary mothers, who made this book possible. The advice is based on current research evidence and in any cases where the evidence is controversial the research and relevant issues are discussed in an optional extra 'notes' section at the back of the book. There is a comprehensive Glossary of pregnancy terms and a user-friendly Index, so as to make it an optimally useful book in all sense of the word. In short, this is a handbook which could make a real difference to a pregnant woman's experience and also to that of her baby. A comment from an antenatal teacher: "What every woman will want to know, put simply and clearly." A comment from a midwife, perinatal researcher and adjunct professor (Betty-Anne Daviss): "Sylvie has created a prescription for healthy birth in a 10-step approach to keep parents focused on what is important in a potentially disastrous birth environment... She has... provided us with a book that encapsulates anything you wanted to know about keeping your birth normal and healthy..." And a comment from a mother: "Had a very late night Friday as I could not put your book down. Wow "

Are you pregnant, or hoping to have a baby soon? This book is a reassuring and thought-provoking 10-step guide for women who want to go through pregnancy and birth with as little intervention and disturbance as possible, with a midwife or consultant in attendance, for the sake of safety. Based on the idea that childbirth is a healthy process and not a sickness of any kind, this book will provide you with the information and inspiration you need in order to get your baby - or babies - born healthily. (Actually, the book features several mothers of twins or triplets, who also had completely normal births, as well as mothers who were considered high risk for other reasons, such as being over 30.) The 10-step programme is presented in a chatty, easy-read format and includes information not usually easily-available to non-experts, as well as plenty of first-hand accounts or comments from women who ve had entirely healthy births. (There are also a few cautionary tales from those who didn t...) Contributions come from Michel Odent (pioneer of water births), Janet Balaskas (the woman who realised we re better off not lying down when we give birth ) and Bill Bryson (the travel writer)... as well as from many other experts and ordinary but extraordinary mothers, who made this book possible. In short, this is a handbook which could make a real difference to your future and also that of your babies and wider family. Most importantly, perhaps - if you re the kind of person who really likes to check things out, and if you believe in evidence-based health care - this edition includes almost 70 pages of notes and references. These will allow you to check out the academic research on any particular issue, or consider specific topics in more detail - perhaps in preparation for a discussion with your caregivers. Like the edition without notes and references, this edition includes a comprehensive Glossary and Index, which could also be very useful to you if you're new to this business of having babies, or if you want to make your experience far better than it was last time. A comment from an antenatal teacher: What every woman will want to know, put simply and clearly. A comment from a midwife, perinatal researcher and adjunct professor (Betty-Anne Daviss): Sylvie has created a prescription for healthy birth in a 10-step approach to keep parents focused on what is important in a potentially disastrous birth environment... She has... provided us with a book that encapsulates anything you wanted to know about keeping your birth normal and healthy... And a comment from a mother: Had a very late night Friday as I could not put your book down. Wow

Are you going to have a baby soon? Are you apprehensive? Do you want to find out what birth is like without drugs or unnecessary interventions? Do you want to know what couples do to make healthy labours easier, quicker and safer? Does your partner perhaps need some reassurance? Reading through the true accounts in this book will give you a clear idea of what to expect. Even better, it'll help you understand what you need to do in advance to make sure your own big day goes as smoothly and as safely as possible - for everyone involved. You probably don't need telling... that means less worry, less pain and more confidence as you move towards the time when you become new parents - for the first, the second, or the umpteenth time.

Are you pregnant, or hoping to have a baby soon? This book is a reassuring and thought-provoking 10-step guide for women who want to go through pregnancy and birth with as little intervention and disturbance as possible, with a midwife or consultant in attendance, for the sake of safety. Based on the idea that childbirth is a healthy process and not a sickness of any kind, this book will provide you with the information and inspiration you need in order to get your baby - or babies - born healthily. (Actually, the book features several mothers of twins or triplets, who also had completely normal births, as well as mothers who were considered high risk for other reasons, such as being over 30.) The 10-step programme is presented in a chatty, easy-read format and includes information not usually easily-available to non-experts, as well as plenty of first-hand accounts or comments from women who ve had entirely healthy births. (There are also a few cautionary tales from those who didn t...) Contributions come from Michel Odent (pioneer of water births), Janet Balaskas (the woman who realised we re better off not lying down when we give birth ) and Bill Bryson (the travel writer)... as well as from many other experts and ordinary but extraordinary mothers, who made this book possible. In short, this is a handbook which could make a real difference to your future and also that of your babies and wider family. There is a comprehensive Glossary and Index, which could be very useful to you if you re new to this business of having babies, or if you want to make your experience far better than it was last time. A comment from an antenatal teacher: What every woman will want to know, put simply and clearly. A comment from a midwife, perinatal researcher and adjunct professor (Betty-Anne Daviss): Sylvie has created a prescription for healthy birth in a 10-step approach to keep parents focused on what is important in a potentially disastrous birth environment... She has... provided us with a book that encapsulates anything you wanted to know about keeping your birth normal and healthy... And a comment from a mother: Had a very late night Friday as I could not put your book down. Wow

Are you pregnant, or hoping to have a baby soon? This book is a reassuring and thought-provoking 10-step guide for women who want to go through pregnancy and birth with as little intervention and disturbance as possible, with a midwife or obstetrician in attendance, for the sake of safety. Based on the idea that childbirth is a healthy process and not a sickness of any kind, this book will provide you with the information and inspiration you need in order to get your baby - or babies - born healthily. (Actually, the book features several mothers of twins or triplets, who also had completely normal births, as well as mothers who were considered high risk for other reasons, such as being over 30.) The 10-step program is presented in an easy-read format and includes information not usually easily-available to non-experts, as well as plenty of first-hand accounts or comments from women who ve had entirely healthy births. (There are also a few cautionary tales from those who didn t...) Contributions come from Michel Odent (pioneer of water births), Janet Balaskas (the woman who realized we're better off not lying down when we give birth ) and Bill Bryson (the travel writer)... as well as from many other experts and ordinary but extraordinary mothers, who made this book possible. In short, this is a handbook which could make a real difference to your future and also that of your babies and wider family. There is a comprehensive Glossary and Index, which could be very useful to you if you're new to this business of having babies, or if you want to make your experience far better than it was last time. A comment from a prenatal teacher: What every woman will want to know, put simply and clearly. A comment from a midwife, perinatal researcher and adjunct professor (Betty-Anne Daviss): Sylvie has created a prescription for healthy birth in a 10-step approach to keep parents focused on what is important in a potentially disastrous birth environment... She has... provided us with a book that encapsulates anything you wanted to know about keeping your birth normal and healthy... And a comment from a mother: Had a very late night Friday as I could not put your book down. Wow

This book is for any woman considering a vaginal birth after one or more previous caesareans. What are the risks? What are the advantages? What is the best choice in your particular case? The author, Helene Vadeboncoeur, takes you through the research and also gives you a glimpse into other women's experiences through the use of first-hand accounts. It was, in fact, the author's experience of two very different births (one a caesarean, the next a VBAC) that inspired her to get a PhD. In her thesis she explored how women experience giving birth in hospital. Helene wanted to consider questions about birth because this is such an important event in women's lives. For over 10 years since then, she has divided her time between teaching and participating in research projects. (She is currently on the Board of the International MotherBaby Childbirth Organization.) She also regularly gives talks at conferences around the world. This means that you not only get the benefit of advice from a woman who's been through both a caesarean and a VBAC, you also get taken through the most up-to-date research (now updated for the 2nd edition). Serious information is presented in an upbeat, readable style. Comment from a consultant: "As a professional who is concerned about the risk in the caesarean rate I would like to suggest that all women who have anything to do with caesareans read this book. The author has collected research data and precious accounts, which will help women make an informed choice as to how to give birth to their babies." Feedback from a midwife: "Helene Vadeboncoeur offers women an important tool to support them if they choose to give birth vaginally after a previous caesarean." Comment from a reader of the original, French edition: "This book is a response to questions. It will serve to demystify fears and inspire confidence."