Midwifery Preparation for Practice

Editors:

• Dr Sally Pairman
• Dr Sally K Tracy
• Dr Carol Thorogood
• Dr Jan Pincombe

Key features of this book:

Unique emphasises a woman-centered approach in line with the standards set by the ACM and NZCOM

Key contributors from Australia and New Zealand

Key terms, Chapter overview, Learning outcomes and Review questions included throughout.

Reflective exercises, Critical thinking exercises, Research exercises and Clinical scenarios encourage active student learning

Equips midwives to work autonomously within the full scope of midwifery practice, and collaboratively with other health care professionals.

Book Review:

Midwifery: Preparation for Practice  is an extensive overview of Midwifery practice and care. The text incorporates prenatal, intrapartum, and postpartum care including worldwide midwifery practice, ethical frameworks for maternity, caring for women their families and the newborn, stages of labour, obstetric emergencies, autonomous practice, challenges and complications throughout pregnancy.

The text is aimed at a wide audience including practicing midwives, undergraduate and post graduate midwifery students. The structure of this book is to provide evidence based education in midwifery in Australasia.

The authors have utilised an Australian and New Zealand focus for midwifery care however a global perspective of maternity care has also been incorporated throughout the book.

The authors have provided great detail and depth through the book encouraging the reader to provide  women-centre care choices, rights, and options. They cover the use of water for labour and birth and advocate the role of midwives working in partnership with women to promote physiological birth by midwives.

“The promotion of physiology begins in early pregnancy and is about far more than aiming for an uncomplicated birth. It is concerned with a journey to motherhood that will have profound consequences for each individual woman in terms of how she feels about herself, her body and her capabilities” (pg 366-367).

Midwifery preparation to practice encourages the maternity care provider to explore every available care option to empower women throughout their pregnancy and to make informed decision regarding their care. This is constantly backed up within the text with recent evidence based research findings.

The book touches on ‘supporting the newborn infant’ and covers the essential aspects of the transition from intra-uterine to extra-uterine life including the normal and unexpected physiological changes that may occur. The book promotes and recognises the ‘world health organisation steps’ to successfully facilitate breastfeeding.

“Breastfeeding provides an unequalled way of providing nutrients and other biological substances necessary for the growth and development of infants. It aims to protect the wellbeing of infants through the protection and promotion of breastfeeding and ensuring that breast milk substitutes are used only when necessary” (page 638).

Childbirth is a normal physiological event, however complications can arise within pregnancy and birth for both mother and baby. To this end the book adequately covers the most common life threatening obstetric emergencies in depth.

In conclusion Midwifery: preparation for practice focuses on holistic care and covers all aspects for midwifery from pre conception through to the postnatal period and beyond. The book has strongly promotes woman centered care and “equips midwives to work autonomously within the full scope of midwifery practice, and collaboratively with other healthcare professionals”.

Whats new to the 2nd Edition of Midwifery preparation for practice:

Increased coverage of anatomy and physiology

New chapter on perineal care and repair

Two new chapters on Indigenous issues, highlighting  the key health aspects relevant for midwives working with Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander women and with Mâori women

Instructor and Student resources available on Evolve website, focusing on critical thinking, and access to Weblinks, PowerPoints, and additional exercises with questions and answers

This book review was written by guest author/blogger Megan Rayner. Megan is a Registered Nurse and Registered Midwife with a passion for emergency nursing and midwifery.