Normal Childbirth - Evidence and Debate

Downe - Normal Childbirth
£26.99
£26.99
Authors/editors: Soo Downe
ISBN: 978-0-443-06943-7
Page count: 200
Publisher: Churchill
Publication year: 2008

This new edition of Normal Childbirth builds on the strengths of the popular first edition, with updated national and international data, and the most recent debate around the controversial area of childbirth. With the increasing risk of litigation, there can be a tendency to classify women as 'at risk' if they present with even a hint of a problem. This is a contentious area and midwives need to be aware of the wide parameters of 'normal' in order to practise autonomously, effectively and safely. This book provides an evidence-based source for all midwives and other health professionals with an interest normal birth.

Table of contents:

Section 1: Ways of Seeing

  1. From being to becoming: reconstructing childbirth knowledges
  2. The role of pain in normal birth and the empowerment of women
  3. Birth and spirituality

Section 2: Aspects of normality

  1. Normal birth: womens' stories
  2. Midwives' practices in eleven UK maternity units
  3. Midwives constructing 'normal birth'

Section 3: Evidence

  1. Rethinking risk and safety in maternity care
  2. The early pushing urge: practice and discourse
  3. Fetal to neonatal transition: first, do no harm
  4. Promoting normal birth: weighing the evidence
  5. Aspects of a controversy: summary and debate

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