This revised edition of this well-known textbook endeavours to incorporate the latest developments and thinking. There are contributions by midwives and other specialists. The book has been given a new structure and aims to reflect the importance of the whole family in childbearing and the right of the woman to have the say in choices and on her centrality as the person on whom care is focused. New material has been included on sociology and research and on counselling, while topics such as preconception care, community care, specialized investigations, the history of midwifery and the statutory bodies have been expanded. The section on the newborn baby has been enlarged and includes a major component on neonatal intensive care. The chapter on special exercises was contributed by an obstetric physiotherapist and throughout the book, recognition and appropriate use of advances in technology have been balanced against the desire of both midwife and mother to achieve the best possible experience with the minimum of interference.