This major practical postgraduate textbook will be an essential reference for trainees, established midwives and obstetricians. It is comprehensive - covering general obstetrics, maternal disease, fetal medicine and labour, delivery and the puerperium. It presents a wide range of established management options. Many traditional texts are based on a single individual's experience and views; here all the contributors to each section have been asked to provide their preferred management in all areas of their section. Each resulting chapter attempts to reflect a range of acceptable practice. This means that the reader can choose which option or combination of options is most appropriate for a particular clinical case. It is practical. It addresses those difficult questions which arise in practice and often stem from the constraints of time, facilities, finance and patient acceptability, as much as from medical facts. It is written by a panel of contributors who are both leaders in their field and who represent practice in the USA, Europe and Australasia. The presentation of each topic has been standardised as far as possible, making information easier to extract from the book. The management options for each major topic, and guidance on key practical procedures are summarised in 'boxes' for quick referral.