30Care of the perineum in labour including episiotomy and suturing In the UK, it is estimated that 85% of women will experience some degree of perineal trauma during vaginal delivery….

28Supporting and caring for women in labour The first sign of discomfort building into regular and increasingly painful contractions elicits a mixture of emotions, ranging from anxiety to excitement about…

3Infectious diseases in pregnancy The midwife’s responsibilities start with familiarity with which pathogens to consider and awareness of where to refer women. In the unwell woman, knowledge of symptoms as…

21The antenatal appointment: physical and psychological assessment of the woman in pregnancy The skills of the midwife (Figure 21.1) in antenatal care focus on facilitating women to have a safe,…

11Personal hygiene care for women Good personal hygiene is of paramount importance in maintaining good health. Maternity clients are not usually ill but are vulnerable to infection. In addition, the…

9Sharps injuries The use of sharps is common in healthcare and therefore healthcare workers (HCW) and others are particularly at risk. Injuries frequently occur through accidental cutting or penetration of…

6Moving and handling In the Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992, manual handling is defined as: …any transporting or supporting of a load (including the lifting, putting down, pushing, pulling, carrying…

7The control of substances hazardous to health The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (COSHH) is a key health and safety law introduced in the 1990s to protect employees from…