Focusing on the mother's experience of pain and her contribution to its control, this accessible text covers the background to historical and scientific understanding of pain and considers methods of researching and measuring pain. Now in its 2nd edition, Pain in Childbearing and its Control explores pregnancy, labour and puerperal pain, along with fetal and neonatal pain. As well as approaching the topic in considerable depth, the word 'pain' is interpreted broadly. Throughout the text, research-based theoretical approaches to pain and pain control are presented within the context of care. The possibility of caring interventions being iatrogenic, or aggravating the woman's pain, lends this book a perceptively political orientation. Pain in Childbearing and its Control will be invaluable to midwives and a wide range of care providers who seek to assist the woman in coping with her experience of childbearing and any associated pain.

Focusing on the mother's experience of pain and her contribution toits control, this accessible text covers the background tohistorical and scientific understanding of pain and considersmethods of researching and measuring pain.Now in its 2nd edition, Pain in Childbearing and itsControl explores pregnancy, labour and puerperal pain, alongwith fetal and neonatal pain. As well as approaching the topic inconsiderable depth, the word 'pain' is interpreted broadly.Throughout the text, research-based theoretical approaches to painand pain control are presented within the context of care. Thepossibility of caring interventions being iatrogenic, oraggravating the woman's pain, lends this book a perceptivelypolitical orientation. Pain in Childbearing and its Controlwill be invaluable to midwives and a wide range of care providerswho seek to assist the woman in coping with her experience ofchildbearing and any associated pain.

Acknowledgements.Introduction to the second edition.Part I Before the Journey's Commencement.1 Pasts and peoples.2 Experiences and observations.3 Medication: constraints and consequences.4 Physiology of pain in labour (Dr Jennifer M.Tocher).Part II Beginning the Journey.5 Childbirth education.6 Pain in pregnancy.Part III The Journey.7 Labour pain.8 'Working with pain': non-pharmacological methods.9 Pain relief: pharmacological methods.Part IV The Journey's End.10 Postnatal pain.11 Fetal/neonatal pain.12 Conclusion.References.Index.