Book excerpt: This is the thoroughly revised and completely rewritten edition of a popular textbook which is a compilation of all of the concepts of obstetrics and gynecology to help the nursing student become an efficient midwife who can provide effective and safe client care. The text covers the following topics: - The remale reproductive system. - Fundamentals of reproduction. - The fetus. - Pregnancy. - The fetal skull and maternal pelvis. - Normal labour. - Normal puerperium. - Obstetric disorders in pregnancy. - Medical and surgical disorders in pregnancy. - Malpositions and malpresentations. - Abnormal labour. - Obstetric interventions and operations. - Abnormal puerperium. - The newborn infant. - Pharmacology and child birth. - Home birth. - Complementary and alternative therapies. - Contraception. - Instruments in obstetrics and gynaecology. - Gynaecological disorders in pregnancy.