book reviews
Clinical Risk Management in Midwifery -
Jo Wilson and Andrew Symon
It is perhaps an inevitable sign of our times that a book such as this is deemed necessary; from the introduction, the authors talk about the need for proactive risk management in order for practitioners to have “the best defence”. This book will go some way towards meeting the educational needs of midwives and students interested in these issues, yet it does not go so far as to place the woman in the centre of her birthing experience.
Although the book includes a paragraph about the use of language, and the ways in which this can disempower women, the very words that convey the notion that professional power is greater than that of the woman are used throughout the book. Women are constantly referred to as 'patients' who are 'managed', rather than as people who have free choices to make about options which may affect the rest of their lives. Generally, the book takes the approach that “reasonable steps should be taken to comply with the woman's wishes”. While the authors acknowledge that these may conflict with the policies of the system, it is a shame that they do not go further in looking at how conflicts of this nature can be resolved.
The chapter by Mary Nolan is perhaps the best in unpacking the issues surrounding the woman as the consumer. She also raises the question of whether we should be providing doula support for women as a proactive measure to reduce mass intervention in labour and birth.
It is useful to see real-life examples of where the system fails, and case studies of legal cases where the care offered to women is analysed. Overall, although the approach taken by some chapter authors is disappointing, much of the book's content is interesting, potentially useful and well referenced.
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