ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of key concepts dicussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The imperative to promote physiological birth is being articulated through new insights from microbiology and epigenetics. The book explores how best that support can be provided. This is particularly worrying as we now have strong research evidence demonstrating the importance of continuous support in labour, which is associated with improved outcomes and positive experiences for women and their supporters. The evidence as well as sources of practice-based evidence, using stories and testimony from women and midwives to illustrate a range of ideas and practices. The book explores the concept and use of woman-centred language. We now have a strong research evidence base demonstrating the importance of labour support for optimising women's well-being and the well-being of their babies. We are cautioned to think about the iatrogenic side effects and human costs of increasing rates of caesarean section and other interventions in childbirth.
