This accessible, evidence-based book explores how important it is for midwives to understand the psychological aspects of care, in order to create positive experiences for mothers and families. The book provides simple explanations for why psychological care matters in midwifery practice and uses different theoretical perspectives of psychology to illustrate how it fundamentally contributes to good midwifery practice.

The book addresses many core concepts and principles of psychology, including:

• Mother-midwife relationship
  
• Emotions during the childbearing continuum
  
• Perinatal mental illness
  
• Communications in midwifery practice
  
• The birth environment
  
• Stress and anxiety
  
• Providing support to families
  
• Attachment and bonding

Reflective questions, activities, illustrations, tables, summary boxes and a glossary help readers navigate the book.
One of the first books of its kind, Psychology for Midwives is essential reading for all midwives, students and allied health care professionals interested in the psychological dimensions of childbearing.