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Respectful Maternity Practices for Labour, Birth and the Postnatal Period
Placing Compassion at the Heart of Our Care
Tanya Burchell (Author)
9781394210114, Wiley
Paperback / softback, published 28 May 2026
448 pages
30.5 x 21.8 x 2.6 cm, 1.191 kg
Respectful Maternity Practices for Labour, Birth and the Postnatal Period by Tanya Burchell promotes compassionate, evidence-based maternity care that places dignity, autonomy, cultural awareness and human rights at the centre of practice. Written for midwives, nurses, obstetricians and student midwives, the book encourages healthcare professionals to look beyond clinical procedures and consider women’s individual experiences throughout pregnancy, labour, birth and the postnatal period. The text is organised into key areas of maternity care, including caregivers and future caregivers, the labour room environment, care during labour and birth, complex needs in labour, postnatal care, critical obstetric events and bereavement care following maternal or neonatal death. Throughout these sections, Burchell emphasises respectful maternity care, effective communication, informed decision-making and cultural sensitivity. A central theme of the book is that women should be active participants in decisions about their care. Burchell argues that maternity services should foster trust, safety and positive birth experiences while ensuring women are treated with dignity and respect. This approach aligns with international recommendations that advocate informed choice and freedom from mistreatment during childbirth. One of the book’s major strengths is its holistic perspective, recognising childbirth as both a medical and personal experience. The author highlights the emotional, psychological and cultural dimensions of maternity care and encourages practitioners to reflect critically on their own practice. Practical case studies, photographs and online resources help bridge the gap between theory and clinical application, making the text accessible to both students and experienced professionals. Although the book's compassionate focus is a major strength, some readers seeking highly detailed clinical guidance may find that the emphasis on values-based care outweighs technical discussion in certain areas. Additionally, because the book promotes broad international perspectives, some examples may not directly reflect local/national maternity policies or guidelines within specific healthcare systems. Readers may therefore need to supplement the text with national guidance and evidence-based protocols. Overall, it demonstrates that respectful, compassionate care is a fundamental component of safe, effective and woman-centred maternity services, with a strong focus on dignity, autonomy, cultural awareness and human rights making it a valuable resource for professional development and maternity education. The Practising Midwife Journal, September 2026 Afshan Ali
Midwife and Midwifery Lecturer
Placing compassion at the heart of our care Respectful Maternity Practices for Labour, Birth and the Postnatal Period is a must-read for obstetricians, doctors, midwives, nurses and students seeking to enhance their knowledge and clinical practice. It’s more than a textbook: it’s a call to action, fostering compassion and ensuring that every woman and baby receives the respectful, high-quality care they deserve. This book distinguishes itself by moving beyond a purely clinical, fact-delivery model. It combines robust, evidence-based information with a culturally aware and highly accessible writing style, making it not just an informative resource, but also an inspiring guide for all maternity caregivers. With a global perspective and deep respect for cultural diversity, this book explores how maternity care can—and must—uphold the autonomy, voices and lived experiences of all those giving birth. Through real-world examples and actionable strategies, the book challenges harmful norms and equips caregivers with the tools to cultivate safety and trust in every birth setting. Rooted in dignity, empathy and human rights, this essential guide offers a thoughtful and practical framework for ensuring that every woman, baby and family receives respectful, compassionate care throughout labour, birth and the postnatal period.
About the Author x Preface/introduction xi About the Companion Website xii Section 1 Caregivers and Future- Caregivers 1 1 Our Responsibilities and Desires in Maternity Care 3 2 Hopes and Dreams for Maternity Care 6 3 Handover 11 4 Mentoring Future- Caregivers 15 Section 2 The Labour Room Environment 25 5 The Labour Room Environment 27 6 The Labour Room Environment – Our Impact 45 Section 3 Care During Labour and Birth 73 7 The Labour Room Welcome 75 8 Eating and Drinking in Labour 78 9 Mobility in Labour 81 10 Monitoring in Labour with Our Heads, Hearts and Hands 87 11 Caring for Women Experiencing Painful Contractions 108 12 When a Woman Feels the Urge to Push 121 13 Care During the Birth 131 14 Waterbirth 147 15 Breech – An Unusual Normal by Tanya Burchell and Dr. Shawn Walker 158 16 Vaginal Birth After Caesarean Section – The New Normal 194 17 Meconium: An Obstetric Hazard or a Friendly, Fellow Traveller? 201 18 Initial Care and Assessment of the Motherbaby Unit 212 19 Initial Care of Low- Birth- Weight Babies 224 20 Birth of the Placenta 229 21 Assessing and Repairing Perineal Trauma 242 Section 4 Complex Needs in Labour 249 22 Prelabour Rupture of Membranes 251 23 Preterm Labour and Birth 256 24 Labour Dystocia – Or a Labour that Extends Beyond the Allotted Time Given by Caregivers 263 25 Inducing Labour 284 26 Medical Challenges: Hypertension, Obstetric Cholestasis, Diabetes Mellitus, Sickle Cell Disease and Thalassemia 303 27 Caring for Women and Babies Experiencing Birth by Forceps or Vacuum 311 28 Caesarean Section 315 29 Tokophobia 327 Section 5 Postnatal Care 329 30 Compassionate Care for the Postnatal Motherbaby Unit 331 31 Breastfeeding 344 32 Hypoglycaemia, Hypothermia and Hypoxia 357 33 Neonatal Jaundice 365 Section 6 Prompt Care in a Critical, Obstetric Event 371 34 Maternal Sepsis 373 35 When a Baby Becomes Stuck 379 36 Cord Presentation and Prolapse 387 37 Postpartum Haemorrhage 390 38 Severe Pre- eclampsia, Eclampsia and HELLP Syndrome 397 39 Adult and Newborn Life Support 402 Section 7 When a Mother or Baby Dies 413 40 When a Mother or a Baby Dies 415 Index 427
Subject Areas: Nursing & ancillary services [MQ]
