Product Description

The third edition of A guide to effective care in pregnancy and childbirth will be invaluable to anyone involved in the care of pregnant women, and to expectant parents. This updated guide summarizes the most authoritative evidence available on the effects of care practices carried out during pregnancy, childbirth, and immediately after birth, in a clear and readily understandable format. In addition to the details provided in the text, the book concludes with six valuable tables that list the practices which are beneficial, those of unknown effectiveness, and those likely to be ineffective or harmful. Based on the most systematic review to date, this comprehensive guide presents the main findings and conclusions in an easily readable, inexpensive, and conveniently-sized form. This third edition has been completely updated to include the new research evidence available since publication of the previous edition. Previous editions have received critical acclaim for conclusions based on sound evidence and have become a unique reference source for evaluating care policies and practices.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #87031 in Books
• Published on: 2000-06-15
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 544 pages

Review
The book's strengths are its scientific rigour, its readability and its immediate applicability to daily practice in maternity care. It draws together, in an accessible format, the enormous amount of information available in the medical literature and in the Cochrane library... It is highly recommended for medical and midwifery practitioners, both trainees and those more experienced. (eMJA )

Customer Reviews

Essential, if shocking reading for professionals and parents
This book reviews the evidence for and against current practice in maternity care. It will come as a shock to many how little policy and protocol is supported by the evidence - and the harm involved in some of it.

One inevitable weakness of the book is that some areas of care have been little researched so there is nothing for Enkin et al to draw upon.

It should be oft referred to reading for health professionals and is invaluable for parents who want to make informed choices.

Excellent for parents who want to be informed, but beware
This book was excellent in the information presented. Its authors are all obsterics researchers so it caries more weight than other books that are not footnoted and not written by researchers. It carefully backed up the conclusions based on researched based evidence. Any parent who wants to make an informed decision about the birth options should read this book.

But be warned. The book highlights the lack of research around some obsteric practices. You could read it and then find yourself questioning every thing that is done. I recommend that if you do read it, incorporate any concerns in a birth plan and discuss any issues with your carer. You will not be able to do so in the heat of the moment, and this will cause distress.

Otherwise for issues that are not time critical (ie. supplementing breastmilk with fluids, inducing labour in late pregnancy) it give some excellent material to make to discuss options with your carers.