Supporting a Physiologic Approach to Pregnancy and Birth

Melissa D. Avery, PhD, CNM, FACNM, FAAN is Professor, Chair of the Child and Family Health Cooperative Unit, and directs the midwifery program at the University of Minnesota’s School of Nursing.  She is the past president of the American College of Nursing Midwives. Dr. Avery has authored numerous articles and is nationally known for her research in midwifery and women’s health.

Contributors ix

Foreword by Holly Powell Kennedy xi

Acknowledgments xiii

Section 1 Understanding a physiologic approach 1

1 The case for a physiologic approach to birth: an overview 3
Melissa D. Avery

2 The physiology of pregnancy, labor, and birth 13
Cindy M. Anderson

3 A supportive approach to prenatal care 29
Carrie E. Neerland

4 Supporting a physiologic approach to labor and birth 49
Lisa Kane Low and Rebeca Barroso

Section 2 Interventions and approaches 77

5 Promoting comfort: a conceptual approach 79
Kerri D. Schuiling

6 Continuous labor support 91
Carrie E. Neerland

7 Techniques to promote relaxation in labor 105
Kathryn Leggitt

8 Touch therapies in pregnancy and childbirth 119
Deborah Ringdahl

9 Water immersion for labor and birth 157
Michelle R. Collins and Dawn M. Dahlgren-Roemmich

10 Aromatherapy in pregnancy and childbirth 173
Linda L. Halcón

11 Acupressure and acupuncture in pregnancy and childbirth 197
Katie Moriarty and Kennedy Sharp

Section 3 organizational approaches to supporting physiologic pregnancy and birth 227

12 Rethinking care on the hospital labor unit 229
Emily Higdon, Rachel Woodard, Kristin Rood and Heidi Jean Bernard

13 Out-of-hospital birth 251
Marsha E. Jackson and Alice Bailes

14 Educating health professionals for collaborative practice in support of normal birth 275
Melissa D. Avery, John C. Jennings and Michelle L. O’Brien

15 Women’s health and maternity care policies: Current status and recommendations for change 301
Heather M. Bradford

Resources for physiologic pregnancy and childbirth 331

Index 335