A comprehensive and applied textbook on complementary therapies in maternity care. This book addresses how midwives and other birth professionals can use or advise on complementary therapies for pregnant, labouring and new mothers. Midwives and some doulas incorporate therapies into their care of women while antenatal teachers, health visitors and other professionals in the maternity care field are also often asked for advice on how to prepare for labour, how to avoid medical induction of labour or whether women can take certain herbal remedies in pregnancy. This book will answer these questions, emphasising safety, effectiveness, evidence, benefits and risk, legal, ethical and professional issues related to using complementary therapies in pregnancy and childbirth. Therapies covered include acupuncture, herbal medicine, homeopathy, aromatherapy, reflexology, yoga, massage and hypnosis.
