Oxford Handbook of Midwifery

The trusted and practical guide, the Oxford Handbook of Midwifery has been fully updated for its fourth edition, offering essential knowledge for midwifery students, newly qualified practitioners, and experienced professionals. Covering the complete spectrum of midwifery care, including antenatal, intrapartum, and postnatal support, it reflects current terminology, national guidelines, and best practice standards.

With a renewed emphasis on the social and emotional needs of the mother, this edition places women firmly at the center of care. Informed choice underpins every chapter, ensuring compassionate, respectful, and evidence-based practice. Clear, concise instructions support the management of all maternity emergencies, making this an indispensable resource in both clinical and academic settings.

Whether used on placement, in practice, or for revision, the Oxford Handbook of Midwifery remains a vital tool for delivering safe, personalised care to women, babies, and families.

Sarah Stables, Head of Midwifery and Gynaecology Nursing at The Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust, UK,Susan Battersby, Independent researcher, Infant Feeding Consultant and Former Lecturer Sheffield University, UK,Sarah Petty, Head of Nursing and Midwifery, Family Health Division, The Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust, UK,Alison Morison, Specialist Midwife, The Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust, UK,Verity Gough, Matron, The Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust, UK

Sarah Stables qualified as a Registered Adult Nurse in 2002 and a Midwife in 2004 at the University of Sheffield. She began her career in A&E at Sheffield Northern General Hospital before joining Barnsley NHS Foundation Trust as a rotational midwife, later managing the Antenatal Ward and Day Unit. While completing a Master's in Midwifery, she lectured at Sheffield Hallam University and contributed as an editor to the 3rd edition of the Oxford Handbook of Midwifery. She returned to Barnsley as a Consultant Midwife and later Matron for Maternity and Gynaecology. In 2021 she joined The Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust as Deputy Head of Midwifery and became Head of Midwifery and Nursing in 2025.

Susan Battersby practised as a midwife in both hospital and community settings in England and the Middle East, gaining broad insight into complex midwifery issues. Recently retired as an Independent Researcher and Infant Feeding Consultant, she previously lectured in Midwifery at Sheffield University. Her PhD explored midwives' experiences of breastfeeding, and she has researched both breastfeeding and formula feeding. Susan has published and spoken widely on Infant Feeding, served as a WHO Consultant delivering a workshop in Kazakhstan, and contributed to the NICE Topic Advisory Group for Breastfeeding Peer Support and the Sheffield Infant Feeding Forum. Her work informed the NICE Maternal and Child Nutrition Programme's paper on the cost-effectiveness of breastfeeding support.

Sarah Petty is currently the Head of Nursing and Midwifery, Family Health Division at the Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust, UK.

Alison Morrison qualified as a midwife in 2009 and has worked at various NHS Trusts within South Yorkshire and Derbyshire and she currently works at The Rotherham Foundation NHS Trust as a Specialist Midwife caring for vulnerable women. Prior to this she obtained a BSc in Psychology. During her midwifery career Alison has also worked at the WHO Headquarters in Geneva in the Maternal, Child and Adolescent Department as well as completing a European Masters in Midwifery with Hannover Medical School in Germany. Alison has worked on research projects at Sheffield Hallam University and was part of a team of midwives at Sheffield University who developed their Masters in Midwifery program. She occasionally works at the University of Sheffield as a guest lecturer. Alison also developed and ran a birth trauma service for 3 ½ years.


Verity Gough qualified as a midwife in 2008 and has worked at various NHS Trusts within South Yorkshire and Nottinghamshire and she currently works at The Rotherham Foundation NHS Trust as a Matron for Maternity Acute Services. During her midwifery career she has worked as a rotational clinical midwife, a Clinical Education midwife and a Lead Midwife of the Ante/Postnatal Ward. In 2024 Verity completed her MSc in Healthcare Leadership as part of the NHS Leadership Academy's Elizabeth Garrett Anderson programme. She leads an inspirational team of midwives, maternity support workers and ward clerks that strive to give outstanding care to the women and families they serve in South Yorkshire.

Part 1 Introduction1.. Introduction2.. Preconception care3.. Sexual health4.. Antenatal care5.. Health advice in pregnancy6.. Minor disorders or pregnancy7.. Social considerations in pregnancy8.. Infections and sepsis9.. Medical conditions during pregnancy10.. Obesity11.. Pregnancy complications12.. Hypertensive disorders of pregnancyPart 2 Spontaneous vaginal birth13.. Antenatal fetal surveillance14.. Spontaneous vaginal birth first stage15.. Pain relief in labour non-pharmacological16.. Pain relief in labour pharmacological17.. Physiological birth second stage18.. Physiological third stage19.. Immediate care of the newbornPart 3 Complicated Labour20.. Management of malposition and malpresentation21.. High-risk labour22.. Maternal emergencies during pregnancy, labour, and postpartum23.. Fetal emergencies during pregnancy, labour, and postnatallyPart 4 Fetal Surveillance24.. Postnatal care25.. Maternal mental health in the postnatal period26.. Pregnancy and baby lossPart 5 Care of the Newborn27.. Care of the newbornPart 6 Feeding28.. Breastfeeding29.. Artificial feeding