Birth Emergencies for Community Midwives

Birth Emergencies for Community Midwives comprehensively explores the recognition and treatment of antepartum, intrapartum, and postpartum complications, spanning the care provided in community settings and definitive management in hospitals. Though written primarily for midwives who attend community births, Birth Emergencies merges current information with holistic perspectives that can help to reduce maternal, fetal and neonatal complications in any setting.

Each chapter begins with clearly stated objectives and an instructive case study and ends with incisive discussion topics that anticipate real-world situations. Topics covered include

Maternal adaptations to pregnancy Critical thinking and risk assessment Recognizing and managing emergencies Antepartum bleeding Abdominal pain Difficulty breathing Trauma Shock Altered level of consciousness Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy Preterm birth Malpresentations Multiple gestation Cord prolapse Shoulder dystocia Fetal and neonatal health Neonatal resuscitation Low-birthweight infants Postpartum hemorrhage Transferring care Stress, compassion fatigue, and burnout Building a safer practice

Incorporating the latest research and professional guidance enhanced by 320 figures, 81 tables, 24 mnemonics-many of them unique-and numerous highlights and graphics, Birth Emergencies is the most comprehensive textbook of its kind.