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.

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.

For all health professionals undergoing basic training. Explains social science concepts and theories and shows their relevance to work in health settings. Short chapters focused on key learning points with exercises and further reading

This book is designed to introduce doctoral and graduate students to the process of conducting scientific research in the social sciences, business, education, public health, and related disciplines. It is a one-stop, comprehensive, and compact source for foundational concepts in behavioral research, and can serve as a stand-alone text or as a supplement to research readings in any doctoral seminar or research methods class. This book is currently used as a research text at universities on six continents and will shortly be available in nine different languages.

This book introduces key topics from sociology which are relevant to midwifery audiences. Introductions to the classical theorists and the more recent sociological perspectives that shape contemporary sociology are presented in the context of their applicability to midwifery practice. Complex sociological debates are presented in a simple manner, applying theory to clinical practice.

With an increasing expectation that all health professionals, including midwives, will base their practice on evidence, this popular book demystifies the world of research for midwives in the UK. Introduction to Research for Midwives is a highly regarded resource that helps the reader develop their research skills and guides them toward using evidence effectively in their clinical work. Written clearly and simply, it covers research methods and processes, critical evaluation of research, and application of research to practice. This book is suitable for both students and practising midwives, whether they are producers or end-users of research, or simply need to understand how to critique research articles and produce literature reviews. Simple language, clear writing and structure – can be dipped into or read from cover to cover Extensive guidelines on critiquing research articles and producing successful literature reviews Student friendly – includes tips for producing successful assignments New chapter on ‘How to Write an Undergraduate Dissertation’ ‘Conducting Research’ and ‘Critiquing Research’ sections in each chapter – suitable for midwives using research in different ways Reflection prompts to encourage readers to engage with the narrative Reader activities to enhance learning and understanding Comprehensive and fully updated throughout Glossary to provide clear explanations of research jargon Linked to the NMC Standards and Proficiencies for Midwives, and can support professional revalidation

All cultures are concerned with the business of childbirth, so much so that it can never be described as a purely physiological or even psychological event. This volume draws together work from a range of anthropologists and midwives who have found anthropological approaches useful in their work. Using case studies from a variety of cultural settings, the writers explore the centrality of the way time is conceptualized, marked and measured to the ways of perceiving and managing childbirth: how women, midwives and other birth attendants are affected by issues of power and control, but also actively attempt to change established forms of thinking and practice. The stories are engaging as well as critical and invite the reader to think afresh about time, and about reproduction.