Download or read book Optimal Birth - What, Why and How (American Ed) written by Sylvie Donna and published by . This book was released on 2010 with total page 684 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A book to help midwives, obstetricians and other health care professionals think through the practicalities of optimizing pregnancies and births. After explaining precisely how 'optimal' is defined, eight reasons are presented to justify why this kind of birth is best. (In this text, optimality is defined as involving the smallest possible number of interventions, since each one carries with it various risks, with a laboring and birthing environment which is most conducive to fast and safe progress. In cases where intervention is needed, optimality is explored from many angles, depending on the particular cases in question.) Finally, key practical and ethical issues are considered and reflective questions provided, so as to give caregivers a clear basis for clinical practice, wherever their place of work, whatever their personal answers to the questions. The discussions of research (randomized controlled trials, etc) are considered in the light of 100 case studies, which give a special insight into the particular challenges professionals face in the current climate of maternity care provision. The author¿s commentary is supplemented extensively by texts and comments from many others, including many professionals who speak from the perspective of their own experience of pregnancy and birth. This easy-read, accessible book is equally useful for students of midwifery (or obstetrics, or medicine generally), practicing midwives (including CNMs), family doctors, doulas, and maternity care assistants.