Intrapartum care has undergone profound changes over the past fifty years. Essential Midwifery Practice: Intrapartum Care takes a broad sweep to examine these changes and their intersection with midwifery, in particular their impact on the midwife’s role during labour and birth. It is an invaluable guide for all midwives. Essential Midwifery Practice: Intrapartum Care addresses a wide range of topics including the evolution of intrapartum care, debates about knowledge, and childbirth education. It looks at birth environments, labour rhythms, working with pain, normal birth, unusual labours, and complementary therapies. Written by key experts and providing guidance on best practice, this unique and diverse text will bring readers up-to-date with the latest research and reflection in their specialist fields. Written by key experts in their respective fields coming together for the first time Provides comprehensive examination of normal birth practice Evidence-based, bringing you up-to-date with the latest research