ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book reviews decision-making theories, frameworks and tools, including midwifery specific ones. It describes how authors have explored decision-making empirically in different areas of practice and demonstrate how that relates to and impacts upon midwifery decision-making. The book also reviews how a midwife behaves and how these factors influence relationships with women, with each other and with the wider multidisciplinary team including doulas. It focuses on the importance of the relationship between the midwife and other professionals in the circumstance of perinatal mental health and associated decision-making. The book explores pain-management, fetal monitoring, third stage of labour and optimal cord clamping, traumatic birth and stillbirth. It discusses how proactive behaviour can be applied in midwifery education and practice and how it should be a prerequisite of shared decision-making between the woman and the midwife.
