Camping And Tramping In Australia's National Parks

Dr Foster is not, as you might suppose, a medical practitioner, but an independent organization of healthcare experts and media professionals producing consumer guides to local health services. This one using data supplied by Dr Foster and text written by Dr Lorna Gold - is produced in consultation with the Department of Health, the Royal College of Midwives and the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. Given this impressively orthodox pedigree, the book is remarkably open-minded, proffering advice on minimizing interventions, adopting upright birthing positions and even using raspberry leaf tea during pregnancy. It gives solid explanations of antenatal care, the birth process and the postnatal period, punctuated by birth stories of various kinds. The writing is empathic, understandable and easy-to-read and offers largely accurate explanations of what goes on at different stages (there is the occasional flaw however - it is not true [p28] that your next of kin 'would have to give consent on your care' if you are incapacitated, much though their advice on your wishes might be appreciated). About two-thirds of the book is taken up with an invaluable listing of Maternity Unit Profiles for each unit in the UK, giving details of general facilities including whether 24-hour epidurals or presence of a paediatrician are available, whether water births are offered or home births supported and what pre-natal testing is routine. It also shows, where relevant, the units intervention rates including elective and emergency Caesareans, induction, forceps and episiotomy, all in comparison with the national average - which gives a good guide to the attitude of the particular unit. An informative aid for all mothers-to-be who want a sound knowledge of their chosen place of birth. (Kirkus UK)