Preterm birth is significant cause of neonatal mortality and morbidity, with a devastating impact on families. This essential guide introduces the knowledge that midwives require for practice, drawing together the most up-to-date research and identifying care pathways.
Preterm Birth: A Handbook for Midwives presents the latest evidence, discussing the causes and consequences of preterm birth. It describes what preterm birth is, explores the risk factors and causes, explains monitoring methods, and presents interventions for reducing the risk of preterm birth itself as well as interventions for managing its consequences. Women’s voices are heard throughout as they describe their experiences in their own words, and each substantive chapter includes recommendations for practice.
Compact and accessible, this practical guide is an indispensable handbook, enabling student and qualified midwives to care confidently for women at risk of preterm birth.
1.Why midwives need to know about preterm birth. 2.Causes of spontaneous preterm birth. 3.Risk factors for spontaneous preterm birth. 4.Specialist care for the woman at risk. 5.Interventions to prevent spontaneous preterm birth. 6.Interventions to reduce risk of neonatal mortality and morbidities. 7.Care of the woman in threatened preterm labour. 8.Care of the woman in hospital and preparation for preterm birth. 9.What the future may hold for preterm birth prediction and prevention. x.Appendix: Organisations providing support and information.
Biography
Naomi Carlisle is a midwife and NIHR Clinical Doctoral Fellow completing her PhD at King’s College London, UK. Upon completion of her PhD she will be commencing a midwifery lectureship at King’s College London, UK. She works clinically in the Preterm Birth Surveillance Clinic at St Thomas’ Hospital, London, UK.
Jenny Carter is a midwife and Senior Research Fellow at King’s College London and the Tommy's National Centre for Preterm Birth Research. She is a founder member of the UK Preterm Clinical Network, and she also works clinically in the Preterm Surveillance Clinic at St Thomas’ Hospital.
This must-read handbook is a comprehensive, factual and informative handbook, and an excellent resource for midwives and students. The chapters are full of essential knowledge, that assists the reader in understanding the risks, causes, prediction markers and interventions associated with preterm birth and the specialist care required.
Professor Jacqueline Dunkley-Bent OBE
Chief Midwife, International Confederation of Midwives (ICM)
Preterm birth is complex, and strategies to tackle this enormous problem are rapidly evolving. This is an excellent resource, written by clinicians with immense experience, clearly written and easy to understand, covering both essential and contemporary knowledge in the subject. I can highly recommend it.
Professor Andrew Shennan OBE
International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) Preterm Birth Committee Chair (2021-2023)
A fantastic resource for midwives and student midwives wishing to gain a greater insight into all aspects of preterm birth. This book is comprehensive and highly informative. A must read for clinical midwives looking to improve preterm birth services.
Gemma Miller
Preterm birth specialist midwives NHS Networks Chair
