This new edition of the popular "Normal Childbirth" builds on the strengths of the first edition, with updated national and international data and the most recent discussion and topics of debate, around the controversial area of childbirth. With the increasing risk of litigation, there is often a move to err on the side of caution and classify women as 'at risk' if they present with even a hint of a problem. This is a contested area, with wide interpretation of terminology and midwives need to be aware of the wide parameters of 'normal' in order to practise autonomously, effectively and safely. Soo Downe covers a wide variety of subjects, with international contributors giving the benefit of their expertise. This evidence-based text offers a widely applicable source book on multiple aspects of normal birth, proposing new approaches and paradigms for future research and practice.

Table of Contents

Section 1: Ways of Seeing 1. From being to becoming: reconstructing childbirth knowledge 2. The role of pain in normal birth and the empowerment of women 3. Birth and spirituality Section 2: Aspects of normality 4. Normal birth: womens' stories 5. Midwives' practices in eleven UK maternity units 6. Midwives constructing 'normal birth' Section 3: Evidence 7. Risk, safety and the study of physiological birth 8. The early pushing urge: practice and discourse 9. Foetal to neonatal transition: first, do no harm 10. Promoting normal birth: weighing the evidence 11. Aspects of a controversy: summary and debate