Recommended Reading List for Year 1 Midwifery Students
These books are recommended as pre reading and to inspire and inform you throughout your midwifery
degree
Spiritual midwifery
Ina May Gaskin
The original Spiritual Midwifery, published in 1976, introduced an entire
generation of young women to the possibility of home birth and breast feeding. It
also breathed new life into the all-but-vanished field of midwifery. This classic
book on home birth is now in its fourth edition, with updated information on the
safety of natural childbirth, new birthing stories, and the most recent statistics on
births managed by The Farm Midwives.
Childbirth without fear: the principles and practice of natural childbirth
Grantly Dick-Read
In an age when normal birth can still be overtaken by obstetrics, Grantly DickRead's philosophy is still as fresh and relevant as it was when he originally wrote
this book. He unpicks the root causes of women's fears and anxiety about
pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding with overwhelming heart and empathy.
As one of the most influential birthing books of all time,Childbirth Without Fear is
essential reading for all parents-to-be, childbirth educators, midwives and
obstetricians!
This definitive reissue includes the full text of the fourth edition, the last completed
Catching Babies
by
Grantly
Dick-Read before his death in 1959, and The Autobiography of Grantly
Sheena
Byrom
Dick-Read, compiled from his writings.
The inspirational story of life as a midwife. From her very first day as a nervous
student nurse in Blackburn to the dedicated completion of her nursing qualifications
and her training as a midwife in Burnley, Sheena Byrom has never once looked
back, enjoying a thirty-five-year career with the NHS.
Catching Babies is a moving account of an extraordinary career. It reveals the
unique experiences that filled Sheena's days as she looked after overwhelmed
mums and dads and helped to bring their precious babies into the world.
Nobody Told Me
Hollie McNish
There were many things that Hollie McNish didn't know before she was pregnant.
How her family and friends would react; that Mr Whippy would be off the menu; how
quickly ice can melt on a stomach. These were on top of the many other things she
didn't know about babies: how to stand while holding one; how to do a poetry gig
with your baby as a member of the audience; how drum'n'bass can make a great
lullaby. And that's before you even start on toddlers: how to answer a question like
'is the world a jigsaw?'; dealing with a ten-hour train ride together; and how children
can be caregivers too.
But Hollie learned.
Bump – how to make, grow and birth a baby
Kate
Evans
And she's
still learning, slowly. Nobody Told Me is a collection of poems and stories
taken from Hollie's diaries; one person's thoughts on raising a child in modern
Evans
handles
the physical
and
changes
that commercialism,
come with being
Britain,deftly
of trying
to become
a parent
in emotional
modern Britain,
of sex,
pregnant,
lookingand
at the
practicalities
everytostage
as once
well as
challenges that
feeding, gender
of finding
secret of
places
scream
in the
a while.
may arise. Her straightforward, funny and accessible text is illustrated throughout
with detailed artwork to guide the reader through the intricacies of human
reproduction whilst her customary laugh-out-loud cartoons demystify the
complexities of pregnancy and birth.
Birth In Focus
Becky Reed
Birth In Focus offers the reader a chance to see birth made real. Water birth, breech
birth, twin birth, Caesarean birth - all are shown in 'photo stories', with
accompanying text written both by the woman and her midwife, and sometimes also
the partner or a child who was present. Clear images of the birth process provide an
excellent educational tool for students, as well as offering inspiration to those who
may not have had the opportunity to see birth in this way. A chapter on reflection
points for practitioners will help professionals and birth supporters explore further
the issues highlighted in the individual stories.
The Social Context of Birth
Caroline Squire and Gurcharan Rai
Greatly expanded, revised and updated, with an entirely new chapter on disability, The
Social Context of Birth, Second Edition provides an essential understanding of how
social issues affect midwives, the birth process and motherhood. Childbirth is much
more than a biological event or a set of case notes. No-one has an uneventful
pregnancy, and women seek narratives through which they can explain and try to
make sense of what has happened to them. This is often neglected in the relentlessly
technocratic modern culture of childbirth. Appreciating the social context surrounding
an individual enriches the understanding a midwife must have if she is to work
successfully alongside a woman and her family throughout a pregnancy and birth in an
insightful, intelligent and informed manner.
The Midwife-Mother Relationship
Professor Mavis Kirkham
Covering completely new topics areas, including the effects of emotional labour,
poverty and health policy, the new edition of this ground-breaking text brings together
classic and current research to establish key tenets for maternity care within hospital
and home. It remains the definitive guide to the complex area of midwife-mother
relations.
The following textbooks are recommended for use during the programme.
They will be available to purchase with special promotions from the on-campus bookstore on the day
you attend in August. They are all also available to loan from the library.
Myles Textbook for Midwives
Myles Textbook for Midwives is the world's best-selling midwifery textbook.
Retaining the clear, accessible writing style that so readily characterised the
success of earlier editions, Myles Textbook for Midwives 16th edition continues to
offer an exceptionally clear explanation of the relevant anatomy and physiology
relating to pregnancy and childbirth as well as comprehensive coverage of the other
associated topics which range from antenatal education for birth and parenting to
the effective management of midwifery and obstetric emergencies.
Bailliere’s Midwives’ Dictionary
Baillière's Midwives' Dictionary is the dictionary of choice for student midwives. The
11th edition of this established and well-respected dictionary has been thoroughly
revised and updated
Anatomy and Physiology for Midwives
Jane Coad with Melvyn Dunstall
Anatomy & Physiology for Midwives 3rd edition builds on the success of the first two
editions with electronic ancillaries, more accessible, woman-centred language and
strengthened links with good practice. The book provides a thorough review of
anatomy and physiology applicable to midwifery, from first principles through to
current research, utilizing case studies for reflection. A comprehensive and wellillustrated textbook that is an essential purchase for all students of midwifery.
Skills for Midwifery Practice
Now with a new design, the ever popular Skills for Midwifery Practice continues to
provide the ideal level of instruction and guidance for a wide range of clinical skills,
each one of which is presented in a unique, template format to help make learning
easy.
Skills for Midwifery Practice is invaluable to midwives in training, qualified midwives
returning to practice, as well as other members of the obstetric healthcare team.
You may also find the ‘Midwifery Essentials’ series useful.
They will also be available to purchase with special promotions from the on-campus bookstore on the
day you attend in August. They are all also available to loan from the library.
Midwifery Essentials
Basics
Basics is the first title in the Midwifery Essentials series and prepares the reader to
understand and master a range of clinical skills safely and with confidence.
The jigsaw model of midwifery care is introduced and explained, providing a
framework to explore the application of each of the clinical skills described in
subsequent chapters. Central to undertaking each of the skills discussed is the
need to communicate effectively with women and their families.
Midwifery Essentials
Antenatal
'Antenatal' is the second title in the Midwifery Essentials series and looks at the
provision of safe and effective antenatal care, exploring the role of the midwife in
the context of professional and national guidance. This book prepares the reader to
provide safe, evidence-based, woman-centred maternity care.
Midwifery Essentials
Labour
'Labour' is the third title in the Midwifery Essentials series and is about the provision
of safe and effective care during labour and birth. This book prepares the reader to
provide safe, evidence-based, woman-centred intrapartum care.
Midwifery Essentials
Postnatal
'Postnatal' is the fourth title in the Midwifery Essentials series and explores
contemporary postnatal care for women and their families, exploring the role of the
midwife as a member of the multi-professional team. This book thoroughly prepares
the reader to provide safe, evidence-based, woman-centred postnatal care for
mothers and their babies.