There has been a rapid increase in the interest of safe complementary and alternative approaches to healthcare in pregnancy and childbirth. For those working in maternity care who seek the evidence base for therapeutic approaches, this book offers a comprehensive guide to the principles and practice of complementary therapies, and the methods for applying them to expectant and new mothers and their babies.

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...