Recommended Reading List for Year 1 Midwifery Students

These books are recommended as pre reading and to inspire and inform you throughout your midwifery degree. They are all available to loan from the library.

Spiritual midwiferyIna May GaskinThe original Spiritual Midwifery, published in 1976, introduced an entire generation of young women to the possibility of home birth and breast feeding. It also breathed new life into the all-but-vanished field of midwifery. This classic book on home birth is now in its fourth edition, with updated information on the safety of natural childbirth, new birthing stories, and the most recent statistics on births managed by The Farm Midwives.

Childbirth without fear: the principles and practice of natural childbirthGrantly Dick-Read

In an age when normal birth can still be overtaken by obstetrics, Grantly Dick-Read's philosophy is still as fresh and relevant as it was when he originally wrote this book. He unpicks the root causes of women's fears and anxiety about pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding with overwhelming heart and empathy. As one of the most influential birthing books of all time,Childbirth Without Fear is essential reading for all parents-to-be, childbirth educators, midwives and obstetricians!This definitive reissue includes the full text of the fourth edition, the last completed Catching BabiesSheena Byrom

The inspirational story of life as a midwife. From her very first day as a nervous student nurse in Blackburn to the dedicated completion of her nursing qualifications and her training as a midwife in Burnley, Sheena Byrom has never once looked back, enjoying a thirty-five-year career with the NHS.

Catching Babies is a moving account of an extraordinary career. It reveals the unique experiences that filled Sheena's days as she looked after overwhelmed mums and dads and helped to bring their precious babies into the world.

Nobody Told MeHollie McNish

There were many things that Hollie McNish didn't know before she was pregnant. How her family and friends would react; that Mr Whippy would be off the menu; how quickly ice can melt on a stomach. These were on top of the many other things she didn't know about babies: how to stand while holding one; how to do a poetry gig with your baby as a member of the audience; how drum'n'bass can make a great lullaby. And that's before you even start on toddlers: how to answer a question like 'is the world a jigsaw?'; dealing with a ten-hour train ride together; and how children can be caregivers too.

Bump – how to make, grow and birth a babyKate Evans

Evans deftly handles the physical and emotional changes that come with being pregnant, looking at the practicalities of every stage as well as the challenges that may arise. Her straightforward, funny and accessible text is illustrated throughout with detailed artwork to guide the reader through the intricacies of human reproduction whilst her customary laugh-out-loud cartoons demystify the complexities of pregnancy and birth.

The following textbooks are recommended for use during the programme.

Birth In FocusBecky Reed

Birth In Focus offers the reader a chance to see birth made real. Water birth, breech birth, twin birth, Caesarean birth - all are shown in 'photo stories', with accompanying text written both by the woman and her midwife, and sometimes also the partner or a child who was present. Clear images of the birth process provide an excellent educational tool for students, as well as offering inspiration to those who may not have had the opportunity to see birth in this way. A chapter on reflection points for practitioners will help professionals and birth supporters explore further the issues highlighted in the individual stories.

The Social Context of BirthCaroline Squire and Gurcharan Rai

Greatly expanded, revised and updated, with an entirely new chapter on disability, The Social Context of Birth, Second Edition provides an essential understanding of how social issues affect midwives, the birth process and motherhood. Childbirth is much more than a biological event or a set of case notes. No-one has an uneventful pregnancy, and women seek narratives through which they can explain and try to make sense of what has happened to them. This is often neglected in the relentlessly technocratic modern culture of childbirth. Appreciating the social context surrounding an individual enriches the understanding a midwife must have if she is to work successfully alongside a woman and her family throughout a pregnancy and birth in an insightful, intelligent and informed manner.

The Midwife-Mother RelationshipProfessor Mavis Kirkham

Covering completely new topics areas, including the effects of emotional labour, poverty and health policy, the new edition of this ground-breaking text brings together classic and current research to establish key tenets for maternity care within hospital and home. It remains the definitive guide to the complex area of midwife-mother relations.

They are all available to loan from the library.

You may also find the ‘Midwifery Essentials’ series useful.

Myles Textbook for Midwives

Myles Textbook for Midwives is the world's best-selling midwifery textbook.

Retaining the clear, accessible writing style that so readily characterised the success of earlier editions, Myles Textbook for Midwives 16th edition continues to offer an exceptionally clear explanation of the relevant anatomy and physiology relating to pregnancy and childbirth as well as comprehensive coverage of the other associated topics which range from antenatal education for birth and parenting to the effective management of midwifery and obstetric emergencies.

Skills for Midwifery Practice

Now with a new design, the ever popular Skills for Midwifery Practice continues to provide the ideal level of instruction and guidance for a wide range of clinical skills, each one of which is presented in a unique, template format to help make learning easy.

Skills for Midwifery Practice is invaluable to midwives in training, qualified midwives returning to practice, as well as other members of the obstetric healthcare team.

Bailliere’s Midwives’ Dictionary

Baillière's Midwives' Dictionary is the dictionary of choice for student midwives. The 11th edition of this established and well-respected dictionary has been thoroughly revised and updated

Anatomy and Physiology for MidwivesJane Coad with Melvyn Dunstall

Anatomy & Physiology for Midwives 3rd edition builds on the success of the first two editions with electronic ancillaries, more accessible, woman-centred language and strengthened links with good practice. The book provides a thorough review of anatomy and physiology applicable to midwifery, from first principles through to current research, utilizing case studies for reflection. A comprehensive and well-illustrated textbook that is an essential purchase for all students of midwifery.

They are all available to loan from the library.

Midwifery EssentialsAntenatal

'Antenatal' is the second title in the Midwifery Essentials series and looks at the provision of safe and effective antenatal care, exploring the role of the midwife in the context of professional and national guidance. This book prepares the reader to provide safe, evidence-based, woman-centred maternity care.

Midwifery EssentialsLabour

'Labour' is the third title in the Midwifery Essentials series and is about the provision of safe and effective care during labour and birth. This book prepares the reader to provide safe, evidence-based, woman-centred intrapartum care.

Midwifery EssentialsPostnatal

'Postnatal' is the fourth title in the Midwifery Essentials series and explores contemporary postnatal care for women and their families, exploring the role of the midwife as a member of the multi-professional team. This book thoroughly prepares the reader to provide safe, evidence-based, woman-centred postnatal care for mothers and their babies.

Midwifery EssentialsBasics

Basics is the first title in the Midwifery Essentials series and prepares the reader to understand and master a range of clinical skills safely and with confidence.

The jigsaw model of midwifery care is introduced and explained, providing a framework to explore the application of each of the clinical skills described in subsequent chapters. Central to undertaking each of the skills discussed is the need to communicate effectively with women and their families.