This accessible, evidence-based book explores how important it is for midwives to understand the psychological aspects of care, in order to create positive experiences for mothers and families.

Divided into two sections, this text concentrates firstly upon aspects of psychology that are relevant for the professional and personal development of the midwife, and then secondly upon the mother and baby and this part of the life cycle.

Introducing the Social Sciences for Midwifery Practice makes clear the links between social, anthropological and psychological concepts, midwifery practice and women’s experience of birth. Demonstrating how empathising with women and understanding the context in which they live can affect childbirth outcomes and experiences, this evidence-based text emphasises the importance of compassionate and humane care in midwifery practice. Exploring midwifery as an art, as well as a science, the authors collected here make the case for midwives as professionals working ‘with women’ rather than as birth technicians, taking a purely competency-based approach to practice. The book incorporates a range of pedagogical features to enhance student learning, including overall chapter aims and learning outcomes, ‘recommendations for practice’, ‘learning triggers’ to encourage the reader to delve deeper and reflect on practice, ‘application to practice’ case studies which ensure that the theory is related to contemporary practice, and a glossary of terms. The chapters cover perspectives on birth from sociology; psychology; anthropology; law; social policy and politics. Other chapters address important issues such as disability, politics and sexuality. Outlining relevant theory from the social sciences and clearly applying it to practice, this text is an essential read for all student midwives, registered midwives and doulas.

With up to 20% of women developing a mental health problem during pregnancy or within a year of giving birth, Perinatal Mental Health provides the UK's first practical guide aimed specifically at the midwives who care for them. The book combines clinical and theoretical approaches to midwifery practice, and takes a holistic, women-centred approach to care. All aspects of perinatal mental health are covered comprehensively, including birth, support for fathers, social and cultural factors, the parent/infant relationship, and midwifery care for trans/masculine, and non-binary people. Written through a unique collaboration between experienced midwives, academics and perinatal mental health experts, this text contains all the key information needed by midwives and student midwives who may encounter women in need of mental health support during pregnancy and beyond. - Practical guidance to help with the difficult conversations. - Strategies to enhance psychological support for women with mental health conditions. - Patient scenarios to encourage debate and reflection. - Aligns with Nursing & Midwifery Council Standards. - Case studies and references to national and international guidelines throughout to link theory with practice. - Succinct and easy to follow text to help readers master the core issues with confidence.

A consideration of the role of the midwife in childbirth, which currently stands at the point of divergence between two differing philosophies of childbearing. In one, pregnancy and birth belong to the medical profession, in the other it is a part of the experience of ordinary life.

This book explores the psychological aspects of pregnancy, childbirth, and early motherhood--an area usually overlooked in the perinatology literature. 20 multidisciplinary contributors discuss what parents and their children experience during this emotionally charged period. The result is a much-needed resource that will help health professionals to provide more supportive and empowering care.

This book offers an overview of the emotional care given by midwives to women based on the literature reviews and research undertaken by Sue Barker. Its chapters are mostly based around the questions she asked herself when exploring the area: What is motherhood? Who supports women at this time? What is emotional care? What are the experiences of midwives offering emotional care? What is emotion work? How does emotional care help women? She considers a wide range of literature sources to understand what is happening for the midwives and the women. Given the extensive use of referenced work the book should be useful for those thinking of undertaking a midwifery programme or those already engaged on any health care programmes. This book, though, is written with an easily accessible language so should be a useful source for voluntary groups and women on their journey to motherhood. Midwifery care and motherhood are influenced by the culture within which they are experienced. This book has therefore considered the cultural hegemony and the differing ideologies within midwifery. The research was undertaken in the UK where most women receive midwifery care through the NHS therefore the midwives interviewed were all employed by the state. This may well have influenced their expectations and the women’s expectations of them. It may be that independent midwives would not have experienced some of the dilemmas faced by these midwives. Despite this the view of midwifery professional bodies, government guidance and research all support a ‘with woman’ approach to giving emotional support. This book offers a detailed description of how emotional support as part of emotional care is given by midwives in their attempts to reduce or ameliorate emotional distress and provide comfort.

Health Psychology in Nursing Practice gives nurses and healthcare practitioners the essentials of health psychology to assist patients and their relatives in adjusting to diagnoses, coping with treatments and other disease-related life changes, managing symptoms and making healthy choices. Directly aimed at nurses, this textbook helps them improve their practice in a very practical way. Key features: * Concise content specifically aimed at nurses and other healthcare professions and taking both an evidence-based and applied approach * Key learning objectives and chapters summaries for revision * Case examples give even more insight into how theory works in the real world * Reflective activities help think about real life practice and quizzes test your knowledge Elizabeth Barley is a Chartered Psychologist, Practitioner Health Psychologist and Registered General Nurse. She is Professor in Health and Wellbeing at the University of West London and Visiting Senior Lecturer at the Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, King’s College London.