Routledge Waterbirth Stories: Midwifery Reflections

Drawing on years of midwifery experience of waterbirth, this collection of stories, based on real-life events, illuminates a rewarding way of birth and emphasises the theoretical knowledge, skills, understanding, and resilience needed to practice well. Waterbirth Stories includes chapters on the criteria for use of water in labour and birth, on the different stages of labour, and on some more serious or unusual situations such as shoulder dystocia, postpartum haemorrhage, breech presentation, and other unexpected maternal and neonatal events. Each chapter includes several stories from a midwife’s perspective, told in the context of evidence-based guidelines available for this topic. The stories end with learning points to help readers reflect on their own practice. Ideal for student and practising midwives with an interest in waterbirth, this research-informed book is enjoyable, challenging, and informative. Review "This is a must-read for any obstetrical provider considering or currently offering water labor or water birth, as well as student midwives…The stories highlight best practices, with numerous references demonstrating the authors' commitment to evidence-based care. Each chapter concludes with learning points to help readers process the information in a clinical framework…This is a great book that depicts water labor and water birth safety through evidence-based practice principles. It is easy to read, highly engaging, and well referenced, which adds to the validity of its stories. Chapters four through six are captivating because they highlight stories of emergency management, which I have yet to read elsewhere but is vital information for practicing water labor and birth providers. To my knowledge, there are no books like this that impart knowledge to healthcare providers through storytelling. The stories are short enough to keep readers' attention but detailed enough to paint the picture of what the laboring women and midwives encountered. This book is unique and well done." - Elizabeth M. Nutter, Doody's Review Service "Waterbirth Stories was a highly enjoyable book, both informative and easy to read. This book would be particularly useful for students, newly qualified staff, and anyone with limited experience of labour and birth in water." - Mhairi McLellan, The Practising Midwife About the Author Maria Paz Miranda is a midwife working at an NHS Alongside Midwifery-Led Unit in the UK. Sian Marie Barnard is a midwife working at an NHS Alongside Midwifery-Led Unit in the UK.