Episiotomy: Challenging Obstetric Interventions [Paperback]

Ian D. Graham (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0632041455 | ISBN-13: 978-0632041459 | Publication Date: January 15, 1997 | Edition: 1

Altough there is little clinical evidence suggesting that episiotomies should be carried out routinely, over 200,000 of these operations are performed every year in the UK and over 1.5 million in the US. This book focuses on the process of innovation and change in the use of this controversial procedure by tracing the evolution of its liberal or routine use in the UK and the US. It discusses the influence of professional and institutional pressure on bringing about change, and highlights the importance of the recent backlash by midwives and women's groups to greatly reduce the use of this procedure. Episiotomy: Challenging Obstetric Interventions is an essential text for all those involved in effecting change within midwifery practice and management.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“…remarkably well-researched and well-written…a great piece of work and essential reading for all those involved in effecting change within midwifery and obstetrical practice and management” Dr Murray W. Enkin, Professor Emeritus of Obstetrics & Gynaecology

“…should be standard reading for anyone involved with maternity care” AIMS (Association for Improvements in the Maternity Services)

“How helpful to us midwives to have such a well thought out and well researched study of episiotomy. Thank you Ian Graham” Caroline Flint, Former President, Royal College of Midwives

From the Back Cover

Each year, more than 200,000 women in the UK and over 1.5 million women in the US undergo an episiotomy. In many countries, this operation has been adopted as routine and standard obstetrical practice.

This important book, challenges the liberal use of this procedure and provides new insights into the process by which maternity practice changes. As it traces the introduction, routinazation and questioning of episiotomy in the US and the UK, it identifies and explores the medical and non-medical factors responsible for changing obstetrics and midwifery thinking and the use of this procedure. The book suggests practical ways for practitioners to bring about evidence-based change in midwifery practice.

Key features of the book:

• presents a cross-national case study of episiotomy


• challenges the tradition of routine intervention


• brings together international statistics into one source


• offers practical suggestions for effecting change


• promotes evidence-based practice

The book is written by Ian D. Graham PhD, Medical Sociologist at the Clinical Epidemiology Unit, Ottawa Civic Hospital Loeb research Institute, Canada, with a contribution from Barbara Davies RN, PhD (cand), Assistant Professor, School of Nursing, University of Ottawa

Product Details

• Paperback: 199 pages
• Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell; 1 edition (January 15, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0632041455
• ISBN-13: 978-0632041459
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.2 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,115,362 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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