Section 1 The midwife in context -- 1. The midwife in contemporary midwifery practice -- 2. Professional issues concerning the midwife and midwifery practice -- Section 2 Human anatomy and reproduction -- 3. The female pelvis and the reproductive organs -- 4. The female urinary tract -- 5. Hormonal cycles: fertilization and early development -- 6. The placenta -- 7. The fetus -- Section 3 Pregnancy -- 8. Antenatal education for birth and parenting -- 9. Change and adaptation in pregnancy -- 10. Antenatal care -- 11. Antenatal screening of the mother and fetus -- 12. Common problems associated with early and advanced pregnancy -- 13. Medical conditions of significance to midwifery practice -- 14. Multiple pregnancy -- Section 4 Labour -- 15. Care of the perineum, repair and female genital mutilation -- 16. Physiology and care during the first stage of labour -- 17 Physiology and care during the transition and second stage phases of labour -- 18. Physiology and care during the third stage of labour -- 19 Prolonged pregnancy and disorders of uterine action --rn20. Malpositions of the occiput and malpresentations -- 21. Operative births -- 22. Midwifery and obstetric emergencies -- Section 5 Puerperium -- 23. Physiology and care during the puerperium -- 24. Physical health problems and complications in the puerperium -- 25. Perinatal mental health -- 26. Bereavement and loss in maternity care -- 27. Contraception and sexual health in a global society -- Section 6 The neonate -- 28. Recognizing the healthy baby at term through examination of the newborn screening -- 29. Resuscitation of the healthy baby at birth: the importance of drying, airway management and establishment of breathing -- 30. The healthy low birth weight baby -- 31. Trauma during birth, haemorrhages and convulsions -- 32. Congenital malformations -- 33 Significant problems in the newborn baby -- 34. Infant feeding. rnIncludes bibliographical references and index.