While you and I are glued to the silver screen for the most portion of the day, we miss out on some good reads. As a midwife, a midwifery student, or a potential midwifery student, there’s a lot you should know to bring out your potential.
Favourably, the world facilitates your learning with the help of books. Believe me; there’s no better thing than reading through an informative and engaging text that has been written to benefit your career.
If that’s something that rings some bells, you should definitely scroll through the 15 amazing book recommendations that I have outlined for you.
1. Baby Catcher: Chronicles of a Modern Midwife by Peggy Vincent
There’s only one word to describe this collection of stories from the charming midwife Peggy Vincent—AMAZING. Peggy takes you on a journey where you encounter distinct stories of childbirth. More importantly, it entails you to think about the challenges faced by midwives.
2. Myles Textbook for Midwives by Jayne E. Marshall and Maureen D. Raynor.
A one-stop-shop for all the information about the midwifery practice and how to deal with specific situations. Myles Textbook for Midwives has been a front runner since it embraced the market.
3. Anatomy and Physiology for Midwives by Jane Coad and Melvyn Dunstall
As the name suggests, authors provide a comprehensive insight into anatomy and physiology that is associated with midwifery. It further makes use of case studies and current research to personalize the experience and put forth the guiding principles for midwives to follow.
4. A Book for Midwives: Care for Pregnancy, Birth, and Women’s Health by Susan M. Klein, Suellen Miller, and Fiona Thomson
Talk about the most simple and straightforward explanation of pregnancy and childbirth; it’s all present in this book. The authors have made sure that their knowledge aligns with midwives across the world. More importantly, they have focused on the natural process of childbirth instead of technological interventions.
5. Understanding Diagnostic Tests in the Childbearing Year: A Holistic Guide to Evaluating the Health of Mother & Baby by Anne Frye
Are you a parent? Are you a midwife? Well, you read my questions, and that’s right, this book is suitable for both parents and practicing midwives. It assists the parents in making informed choices about the procedures they want to attend do. For midwives, it renders information about the diagnostic tests.
6. A Pocket Guide to Clinical Midwifery: The Efficient Midwife by Lauren A. Dutton, Jessica E. Densmore and Meredith B. Turner
A pocket-size guide is probably the most important thing to have, especially in the field of midwifery which is very dynamic and challenging. That said, this pocket-sized guide is a repository of midwifery concepts and the associated treatment options.
7. A Comprehensive Textbook Of Midwifery & Gynecological Nursing by Annamma Jacob
The name itself suggests COMPREHENSIVE, and that’s what this book is all about. It promotes evidence-based practice and does so with the use of simple language.
8. Maternity and Pediatric Nursing by Susan Ricci and Theresa Kyle
Authors have particularly emphasized the understanding of the needs of women and children. In simple words, it is a go-to book for students, as it facilitates a better understanding of the role of a midwife.
9. Home Birth On Your Own Terms: A How-To Guide For Birthing Unassisted by Heather Baker
Now, this isn’t necessarily for midwifery professionals; however, it is a rare piece of text that allows pregnant women to gear up for a natural birth.
From prenatal care to homeopathic usage and labor stages to birth affirmation, it guides a woman through the process of natural birth and how to carry it out comfortably without any assistance.
10. Supporting a Physiologic Approach to Pregnancy and Birth: A Practical Guide by Melissa D. Avery
Okay, now this is something that you must read if you want to improve your workings within a constrained environment. Not only does Melissa facilitates understanding of the evidence-based practice but also contributes to improving the labour experience.
11. Intrapartum Management Modules: A Perinatal Education Program by Betsy B. Kennedy, E. Jean Martin and Donna Jean Ruth
Something technical is an essentiality to garner better understanding. The book under consideration does just that while explaining the whole scenario of childbirth from investigating the pregnancy to care after labour.
12. Mosby’s Pocket Guide to Fetal Monitoring: A Multidisciplinary Approach by Lisa A. Miller, David Miller and Rebecca L. Cypher
This book principally concentrates on fetal monitoring through an evidence-based approach. That said, it is beneficial for midwives, physicians as well as nurses.
13. Labor Progress Handbook: Early Interventions to Prevent and Treat Dystocia by Penny Simkin and Ruth Ancheta
Penny and Ancheta, through this book, reflect on the challenges during labor and accordingly provide the solutions. The book follows a definite order based on labor stages, and therefore, it is highly valuable for getting quick insights for making decisions.
14. Empowering Decision-Making in Midwifery: A Global Perspective by Elaine Jefford and Julie Jomeen
As the name suggests, it is a reference book for making informed decisions. Frankly speaking, this is what midwifery is all about—making appropriate decisions. So, don’t forget to check this one out.
15. PROMPT Course Manual: Australian-New Zealand Edition by Cathy Winter and Timothy Draycott
PROMPT stands for – Practical Obstetric Multi-Professional Training. The prompt course manual is a must-have for understanding obstetric emergency situations; however, it is not limited to that. There’s much more to explore as a midwife.
These were the 15 books that I found most influential and associated with midwifery. This isn’t an exhaustive list, but it’s pretty much all-encompassing for the prominent texts out there.
If you have any recommendations, I’m all ears.
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