SECTION 1: AUTONOMOUS PRACTICE -- Overview of reproductive physiology -- Nutrition and physical activity foundations for pregnancy, childbirth and lactation -- Screening and assessment -- Working with women in pregnancy -- Applied physiology for labour and birth -- Supporting women in labour and birth -- Working with pain in labour -- Using water for labour and birth -- Perineal care and repair -- Overview of physiological changes during the postnatal period -- Supporting women becoming mothers -- Supporting the newborn -- Supporting the breastfeeding mother -- Pharmacology and prescribing -- Contraception -- Women's psycho-social health and wellbeing

SECTION 2: COLLABORATIVE PRACTICE -- Variations in normal -- Challenges in pregnancy -- Disturbances in the rhythm of labour -- Interventions in pregnancy, labour and birth -- Life-threatening emergencies -- Complications in the post-natal period for the mother -- The compromised neonate -- Grief and loss during childbearing the crying times

Now in its 5th edition Midwifery Preparation for Practice continues to present a global model of midwifery best practice that is supported by a range of examples from the Australian, New Zealand and international midwifery contexts. Endorsed by the Australian College of Midwives and the New Zealand College of Midwives the text continues to reinforce the established principles of midwifery philosophy and practice - that of midwives working in partnership with women, in woman-centred models or midwife-led care. This focus is what sets this text apart from other physiology-based midwifery texts, making it a highly valued resource for students and practicing midwives alike. The highly esteemed team of editors once again lead a group of internationally recognised leaders in midwifery to share their knowledge and expertise in midwifery practice, education, research and regulation across Australia, New Zealand and internationally