Supporting a Physiologic Approach to Pregnancy and Birth

Supporting a Physiologic Approach to Pregnancy and Birth: A Practical Guide provides an overview of current evidence and a range of practical suggestions to promote physiologic birth within the United States healthcare system. Presenting the latest evidence available on practical approaches and minimal interventions, this book looks into clinic exam rooms and hospital labor units to investigate the possibilities for improving the pregnancy and labor experience. Contributors discuss recent research and other published information and present a range of ideas, tools, and solutions for maternity care clinicians, including midwives, nurses, physicians, and other members of the perinatal team. An invaluable resource, Supporting a Physiologic Approach to Pregnancy and Birth is a must-have practical guide for those involved in all aspects of pregnancy and birth. Melissa D. Avery, PhD, CNM, FACNM, FAAN is Professor, Chair of the Child and Family Health Cooperative Unit, and directs the midwifery program at the University of Minnesota’s School of Nursing. She is the past president of the American College of Nursing Midwives. Dr. Avery has authored numerous articles and is nationally known for her research in midwifery and women’s health CONTENTS Section 1 Understanding a physiologic approach 1 1 The case for a physiologic approach to birth: an overview 3 Melissa D. Avery 2 The physiology of pregnancy, labor, and birth 13 Cindy M. Anderson 3 A supportive approach to prenatal care 29 Carrie E. Neerland 4 Supporting a physiologic approach to labor and birth 49 Lisa Kane Low and Rebeca Barroso Section 2 Interventions and approaches 77 5 Promoting comfort: a conceptual approach 79 Kerri D. Schuiling 6 Continuous labor support 91 Carrie E. Neerland 7 Techniques to promote relaxation in labor 105 Kathryn Leggitt 8 Touch therapies in pregnancy and childbirth 119 Deborah Ringdahl 9 Water immersion for labor and birth 157 Michelle R. Collins and Dawn M. Dahlgren-Roemmich 10 Aromatherapy in pregnancy and childbirth 173 Linda L. Halcón 11 Acupressure and acupuncture in pregnancy and childbirth 197 Katie Moriarty and Kennedy Sharp Section 3 organizational approaches to supporting physiologic pregnancy and birth 227 12 Rethinking care on the hospital labor unit 229 Emily Higdon, Rachel Woodard, Kristin Rood and Heidi Jean Bernard 13 Out-of-hospital birth 251 Marsha E. Jackson and Alice Bailes 14 Educating health professionals for collaborative practice in support of normal birth 275 Melissa D. Avery, John C. Jennings and Michelle L. O’Brien 15 Women’s health and maternity care policies: Current status and recommendations for change 301 Heather M. Bradford Resources for physiologic pregnancy and childbirth 331 Index 335