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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

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.

  • Spans the full spectrum of care environments, from intimate home settings to hospitals nestled in the jungle, to large, resource-rich medical facilities
  • Dr. Shawn Walker, a leading expert in the field, contributes a vital section on physiological breech birth
  • Vivid photographs are used throughout, to enhance understanding and provide clear visual guidance for safe practice
  • An invaluable, free online section provides editable resources for use in practice

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]

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