Evidence and Skills for Labour and Birth: A Guide for Midwifery Practice

Using high-quality evidence from around the world, this essential text draws together experts to critically examine our knowledge and understanding of elements of physiological labour and birth care, looking at how it can be translated into real-world midwifery practice. This textbook emphasises translating evidence into skilful, safe, and respectful midwifery practice.It evaluates what we know about how skilful midwifery care improves outcomes and experiences for childbearing women, discussing different models of midwifery and maternity care and their impact on the organisation of health services.It introduces concepts from implementation science to enable the utilisation of evidence into midwifery practice.Chapters include recommendations for readers, and focuses on topics such as: · The impact of midwifery care and biopsychosocial outcomes · The implications of not following the evidence · The optimal design for birth settings · Preparation for childbirth · Why oxytocin matters · Th