This famous text provides midwives at all stages of their careers with an indispensable learning and reference source. Some chapters have new contributors to ensure that all material is up-to-date with current practice. The new edition features a new chapter on ethical issues to aid ethical decision-making, another on quality assurance issues. Reference lists have been included at the end of each chapter, making information easier to find. The following chapters have been extensively revised: sociology, diseases associated with pregnancy, the sick neonate, community health and social services, sexually transmitted diseases, and statutory control of the practice of midwives.