Advances in research, knowledge and clinical practice in all branches of medicine have been rapid over the past decades and the speed is accelerating. Thus, as we enter the 1980s the pressure on specialists is to concentrate on ever-narrowing fields of their science. For the research worker this is desirable, but the practising clinician Our patient is a whole can have no clearly defined dividing lines. individual and every aspect of her makeup, physical and psychological, must always be taken fully into account. This is of vital importance in obstetrics and gynaecology. These two closely inter woven disciplines are branches of medical science in which emergency situations are not uncommon. Thus every practitioner, doctor, mid wife and nurse needs understanding of these subjects. Although tech nology advances rapidly, many basic principles remain the same. The chapters that follow deal with these, and modern trends in clinical management are discussed. For some decades the author has been in clinical charge of a matern ity hospital some 12 miles south of Central London. The hospital is a training school for obstetricians and midwives, and the local popula tion is adequately supplied with a general practitioner service. These circumstances are of some relevance because many views expressed are based on personal experience while others are based on countless books, articles, congresses and discussion with colleagues. To every source of information I express my thanks.

This is an ideal evidence based clinical guide to the essential principles and practical points arising from obstetric emergencies for residents, trainees, and obstetricians in practice. The concise text, illustrated with key diagrams, is from experienced educators and practitioners. *Provides a concise illustrated guide to the key principles and practical points involved *Gives trainees, residents, and obstetricians the practical information they need in an emergency *Supplies quick and easy reference to key points with illustrations

This guide provides a full range of updated, evidence-based norms and standards that will enable health care providers to give high quality care during pregnancy, delivery and in the postpartum period, considering the needs of the mother and her newborn baby. All recommendations are for skilled attendants working at the primary level of health care, either at the facility or in the community. They apply to all women attending antenatal care, in delivery, postpartum or post abortion care, or who come for emergency care, and to all newborns at birth and during the first week of life (or later) for routine and emergency care. This guide is a guide for clinical decision-making. It facilitates the collection; analysis, classification and use of relevant information by suggesting key questions, essential observations and/or examinations, and recommending appropriate research-based interventions. It promotes the early detection of complications and the initiation of early and appropriate treatment, including time referral, if necessary. Correct use of this guide should help reduce high maternal and perinatal mortality and morbidity rates prevalent in many parts of the developing world, thereby making pregnancy and childbirth safer.

Rev. ed. of: Essential obstetrics and gynaecology / E. Malcolm Symonds, Ian M. Symonds. 4th ed. 2004.

In writing this book I have attempted to follow the gen eral pattern of the lectures which I have given to pupil midwives at Worcester Royal Infirmary for the past 21 years. In hospital it has been possible to illustrate what I have had to discuss by reference to cases at present in the wards. This unfortunately is not possible to the same extent in a book, but I have no doubt that my readers will be able to apply the principles described to cases under their care. I am sure that this is a most helpful way of fixing in one's mind the information which is required not only for examination purposes but so much more importantly for the better understanding of the clinical problems with which one is faced, and for the purpose of bringing to them the best possible management. The chapter headings and the arrangement of the chapter content may be regarded as unorthodox, but I have presented the topics in the way in which they seem to me to arise in clinical practice. This, I hope, will make easier the understanding of all aspects of a problem. [ have tried to avoid duplication, and when a topic appears in more than one place, it does so in order to discuss its relevance in a differ ent context. Cross-references have been used throughout the text, in order to facilitate reference to the other facts of importance.