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Midwives magazine: Issue 2 :: 2011

Edited by: Hilary Lumsden and Debbie Holmes
Publisher: Hodder Arnold
ISBN: 9780340968413

Review by Kath Jones

This textbook is described as a ‘comprehensive guide to caring for newborn babies’. The focus is on care for the normal newborn and the common problems that may occur. The book comprises of 16 chapters by various authors who are either lecturers, practitioners or experts in midwifery and neonatal care. Each chapter has a separate index and overview, which is useful for reference. The book has excellent photographs and diagrams – these are important for students who may not have seen some of the conditions in practice. It is well-referenced with evidence-based guidelines and it refers to the NMC code of practice. It also has a comprehensive index.

I feel this book could also be used by parents as the information presented within it is in a logical and easy-to-follow format. The last chapter is frequently asked questions and I initially thought this was a little patronising. However, for a student midwife looking for guidance on how to describe conditions to parents, I think it is very well presented. This is also the section that parents would find useful too.The case histories in each chapter are good guides and help the reader to apply theory to practice.

This book would be ideally placed in clinic bases and wards as a reference source for qualified midwives and it is a very useful text for all diploma and degree students, as well as those on post-qualifying courses in neonatal care and even midwives taking return-
to-practice courses.