Antifungals
9 Antifungals These are drugs used to combat fungal infections. They can be ingested or applied topically, depending on the infection. The student should be aware of: common fungal infections…
MIDWIFERY
Anxiolytics and Hypnotics
13 Anxiolytics and Hypnotics These are used to lessen tension and excitement and to induce sleep. They may be prescribed for anxious patients or those unable to sleep in the…
Antiseptics
12 Antiseptics These substances are also known as disinfectants, bacteriostats, bactericides and germicides. They inhibit the growth of, or kill, microorganisms. Antiseptics are usually applied to the body or as…
Antiemetics
8 Antiemetics These are drugs used to prevent or lessen nausea and vomiting. Some of these preparations may also be antipsychotics or antihistamines. The student should be aware of: the…
Emergency Drugs
15 Emergency Drugs This chapter includes some of the drugs used in emergencies such as cardiac arrest, anaphylaxis and eclampsia (see Chapters 16 and 17 for drugs for haemorrhage). Each…
Labour and normal birth
Introduction ‘Undisturbed birth… is the balance and involvement of an exquisitely complex and finely tuned orchestra of hormones’ (Buckley, 2004a). The most exciting activity of a midwife is assisting a…
Pre-eclampsia
Introduction Pre-eclampsia is a condition peculiar to pregnancy, characterised by raised blood pressure (BP) and proteinuria. It can be associated with seizures (eclampsia) and multi-organ failure in the mother, while…
Emergencies in labour and birth
Introduction A small but significant proportion of women develop complications which may threaten their lives or those of their babies. Emergency situations can be very disturbing and provoke a range…
Slow progress and malpresentations/malpositions in labour
ical intervention. All factors for each individual woman, including her wishes, should be taken into account. Sometimes slow progress is more serious and indicates a significant problem. Usually with the…
Haemorrhage
Introduction Haemorrhage may be defined as blood loss sufficient to cause haemodynamic instability (American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), 2004). Heavy bleeding in the antenatal, intrapartum or immediate post-delivery period…
