Main description:

The midwife's role is examined in the community and family-health context in this handbook on effective maternal and new-born care for midwives and other healthcare providers. The skills, competencies, and knowledge required to make informed decisions about neo- and postnatal care are covered, including anatomy and the physiology of reproduction, high-risk pregnancies, and labour and birth. Theoretical and practical issues illuminate a midwife's role in the prevention of illness in mothers and babies, with attention to the unique challenges of midwifery in developing nations. Insights from current research studies and critical questions about midwife practice will help those new to health care understand the unique challenges of this form of health-service delivery.

Contents:

Midwifery concepts: Introduction to midwifery and neonatal nursing; socio-cultural aspects and community-based midwifery; quality in midwifery; maternal and neonatal health profiles. Anatomy and physiology of reproduction: Female reproduction; conception and fetal development; the placenta and amniotic fluid. Pregnancy care: Healthy adaptation to pregnancy; antenatal assessment and care; fetal health, growth and wellbeing; preparation for pregnancy, childbirth and parenthood labour and birth; the birth process; first stage of labour; second and third stages of labour; pain and discomfort; care of the newborn baby at birth. Postnatal care: Postnatal assessment and care. High risk pregnancy, labour and puerperium: Assessment and risk screening; infections; hypertensive conditions; haemorrhage in pregnancy; medical and surgical conditions during the perinatal period; women and families with special needs in pregnancy; the compromised fetus; multiple pregnancy; complicated labour and birth; operative obstetrics and the role of the midwife; perinatal loss - counselling and support; newborn care; routine care of the healthy newborn; nutrition; baby with special needs.