Book Review

The editors review the subject of eating and drinking in labour, drawing together current research and opinion from a variety of sources.

The book is a slim, A5, paperback volume.

The chapters explore the topic, in a logical sequence, commencing with an overview of the issues around food and drink for labouring women, within the broader context of the childbearing continuum. Points are raised here which later chapters seek to address, such as, the prevalence of medical research as opposed to midwifery research on the subject, the inequity of care and practice between the home and hospital environment, the impact of policy on practice in the maternity setting, choice for women and the inconclusive evidence in current research.

Subsequent chapters present the cultural and historical perspectives, dieticians and consumers viewpoints and related maternal/foetal physiology.

The final chapter looks at "putting the evidence into practice", with suggestions for those wishing to develop policy guidelines. The process employed by practitioners at Nottingham City Hospital to develop and implement their own clinical guidelines is outlined here and a simple flowchart is included.

Comprehensive references conclude each chapter.

The book is interesting, easy to read and presents a number of challenges for midwives - further research is required, as current opinion/evidence lacks consensus; are our policies based on the best available evidence ?; what are the implications of policy guidelines on women and how can we facilitate the choices of individuals ? and how do we define "normality".

These questions, and others, could equally be applied to many areas of contemporary practice.

Lois Berry