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Counselling in HIV infection and AIDS
Book reviews 49
provision varies according to location. I have already recommended this comprehensive and very reasonably priced book to other health professionals and will continue to do so. Faye Macrory BA(Hons) RN RM
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Diagnosis, Epidemiology, Prevention, Treatment Institute of Medicine
-
National Academy Press, 1996, i s t edn, ISBN 0-309-05292-0, Price £28.95
This book is a report by the Committee to study Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and was requested by the US Congress because of concerns about the magnitude of the problem. Overall, this is an extremely informative and interesting book which would be a valuable addition to any midwifery/nursing/medical library or individual collection. It provides a comprehensive review of diagnosis, surveillance, prevention and treatment of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) and other possible alcohol related effects. It offers key recommendations which are detailed and far-reaching. The broader perspective is addressed, including legislative action, public health messages and treatment options for women who are drinking at harmful levels. The organisation of the book is excellent with clearly defined, well indexed chapters which are sub-divided and clearly headed. It is an easy book to 'dip into', which is vital as some of the information is 'dry', being of a scientific nature. The references are listed at the end of each chapter and are detailed and up-to-date. There are few illustrations but those included enhance the information given, particularly the photographs of children affected by F.A.S. Photographs of babies would have been useful for midwives to see. In conclusion, I would recommend this book to obstetricians, midwives and health workers involved with substance misusers. Jacqueline A. Bullows RGN RMN Dip Comm. HealthStudies Dip in Counselling
Counselling in HIV Infection and AIDS John Green and Alana MacCreaner OxJord Blackwell Science, 2nd edn, ISBN 0-632-03605-2, Price £17.99
This comprehensive new edition of what has been termed a classical text seeks to update those who are involved with providing care for clients, in this it is successful.
New information in this hectically evolving field is incorporated in chapters with diverse foci around counselling, focusing on specific client groups such as haemophiliacs, drug users, families, the bereaved and staff involved in care. Supporting chapters include information on relaxation, legal aspects and laboratory tests and these add to the value of the book. The chapter on counselling in pregnancy, written by an eminent psychologist, juggles the difficult mix of information required to counsel women during pregnancy with advice about technique. Space being the final arbiter the result is satisfactory, although more on 'how' as well as 'why' would have seemed appropriate. Given the time from writing to publication inevitably some comments already appear dated (notably the various importance of transmission vectors in pregnancy - evidence now supports delivery as the majority factor in developed countries). The reference support for the various chapters is distressingly uneven inevitably limiting the academic use of some material. The book's pragmatic style and simple practise-based approach, however, are positive features. Analysis of counselling schools and theories is minimal, limiting the book's use for students on counselling courses. I would recommend this text to midwives working in areas of HIV infection and AIDS and as a reference book for those working in the area of ante-natal care. Tony Harrison BA RGN RSCNRNT
Protocol for High Risk Pregnancies J. Queenan and J. Hobbins Blackwell Science, Cambridge, 1996, 3rd edn, I S B N 0-8654-2444-6 Price £12.99
The editors are well-known and respected Obstetricians and Gynaecologists from the USA. The stated audience for this text was medical practitioners and so, naturally, it focuses on medical technology. Some procedures considered part of the normal management are extreme. For example, the treatment of shoulder dystocia includes a section on the Zavenilli manoeuvre, considered experimental by many people. There is no discussion on the hands and knees position although it has been used more frequently than the Zavenelli manoeuvre and with greater success (Meenan & Gaskin 199 i). Another example is a woman who is undergoing an external cephalic version. She should be on nil per month, have a digital pelvic examination (no reason is given for why this is helpful), a 'secure' IV access and she should have a full blood count and cross match done! Similarly, when discussing fetal resuscitation they suggest aminoinfusion as a
possible procedure. If the membranes had been left intact, however, possibly there would not be a problem to treat, or it may have been a minor one. Pathophysiology is well done and succinct. Although midwives may find the book useful as an introductory text, they should also refer to books that are more midwifery orientated and/or less aggressive in their treatment of women with pregnancy related problems.
REFERENCE Meenan A, Gaskin I M, Hunt Pet al 1991 A new (old) manoeuvre for the management of shoulder dystocia. Journal of Family Practice 32:625-629 Helen Callaghan Nurse U~litManager
Acupuncture in Midwifery Sharon Yelland Books f o r Midwives Press, 1996, 1st edn, ISBN 1-898507-4-6, Price £8.50
Acupuncture in Midwifery is written by a practising midwife employed in a Maternity Unit in Plymouth, England. Sharon Yelland is one of a small number of midwives who are also trained acupuncturists. The book gives an introduction into the role acupuncture may play in today's midwifery service. It is useful on two counts; firstly, for those midwives who wish to know more about the therapy, and secondly, for midwives to advise their clients on its use in pregnancy and the puerperium. A brief introduction to the theory of Chinese Medicine is followed by examples in which acupuncture may be used in pregnancy. Case studies are included, as are diagrams which are clear and add to the clarity of the text. A number of up-to-date references and further reading suggestions are included at the end of the book for those midwives wishing to expand their knowledge. I would recommend this book as an introduction to any midwife wishing to know more about acupuncture and its application to midwifery practice. This is an easy to read book which should be within the price range of any midwife. Ann Holroyd 8Sc RN RM Dip PSN
Fertility E. Chubb and Jane Knight David & Charles, 1996, 3rd edn, ISBN 07153-1424-0
This is an excellent book on fertility awareness and Natural Family Planning which gives sufficient research-based knowledge for the professional and has also made the text
provision varies according to location. I have already recommended this comprehensive and very reasonably priced book to other health professionals and will continue to do so. Faye Macrory BA(Hons) RN RM
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Diagnosis, Epidemiology, Prevention, Treatment Institute of Medicine
-
National Academy Press, 1996, i s t edn, ISBN 0-309-05292-0, Price £28.95
This book is a report by the Committee to study Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and was requested by the US Congress because of concerns about the magnitude of the problem. Overall, this is an extremely informative and interesting book which would be a valuable addition to any midwifery/nursing/medical library or individual collection. It provides a comprehensive review of diagnosis, surveillance, prevention and treatment of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) and other possible alcohol related effects. It offers key recommendations which are detailed and far-reaching. The broader perspective is addressed, including legislative action, public health messages and treatment options for women who are drinking at harmful levels. The organisation of the book is excellent with clearly defined, well indexed chapters which are sub-divided and clearly headed. It is an easy book to 'dip into', which is vital as some of the information is 'dry', being of a scientific nature. The references are listed at the end of each chapter and are detailed and up-to-date. There are few illustrations but those included enhance the information given, particularly the photographs of children affected by F.A.S. Photographs of babies would have been useful for midwives to see. In conclusion, I would recommend this book to obstetricians, midwives and health workers involved with substance misusers. Jacqueline A. Bullows RGN RMN Dip Comm. HealthStudies Dip in Counselling
Counselling in HIV Infection and AIDS John Green and Alana MacCreaner OxJord Blackwell Science, 2nd edn, ISBN 0-632-03605-2, Price £17.99
This comprehensive new edition of what has been termed a classical text seeks to update those who are involved with providing care for clients, in this it is successful.
New information in this hectically evolving field is incorporated in chapters with diverse foci around counselling, focusing on specific client groups such as haemophiliacs, drug users, families, the bereaved and staff involved in care. Supporting chapters include information on relaxation, legal aspects and laboratory tests and these add to the value of the book. The chapter on counselling in pregnancy, written by an eminent psychologist, juggles the difficult mix of information required to counsel women during pregnancy with advice about technique. Space being the final arbiter the result is satisfactory, although more on 'how' as well as 'why' would have seemed appropriate. Given the time from writing to publication inevitably some comments already appear dated (notably the various importance of transmission vectors in pregnancy - evidence now supports delivery as the majority factor in developed countries). The reference support for the various chapters is distressingly uneven inevitably limiting the academic use of some material. The book's pragmatic style and simple practise-based approach, however, are positive features. Analysis of counselling schools and theories is minimal, limiting the book's use for students on counselling courses. I would recommend this text to midwives working in areas of HIV infection and AIDS and as a reference book for those working in the area of ante-natal care. Tony Harrison BA RGN RSCNRNT
Protocol for High Risk Pregnancies J. Queenan and J. Hobbins Blackwell Science, Cambridge, 1996, 3rd edn, I S B N 0-8654-2444-6 Price £12.99
The editors are well-known and respected Obstetricians and Gynaecologists from the USA. The stated audience for this text was medical practitioners and so, naturally, it focuses on medical technology. Some procedures considered part of the normal management are extreme. For example, the treatment of shoulder dystocia includes a section on the Zavenilli manoeuvre, considered experimental by many people. There is no discussion on the hands and knees position although it has been used more frequently than the Zavenelli manoeuvre and with greater success (Meenan & Gaskin 199 i). Another example is a woman who is undergoing an external cephalic version. She should be on nil per month, have a digital pelvic examination (no reason is given for why this is helpful), a 'secure' IV access and she should have a full blood count and cross match done! Similarly, when discussing fetal resuscitation they suggest aminoinfusion as a
possible procedure. If the membranes had been left intact, however, possibly there would not be a problem to treat, or it may have been a minor one. Pathophysiology is well done and succinct. Although midwives may find the book useful as an introductory text, they should also refer to books that are more midwifery orientated and/or less aggressive in their treatment of women with pregnancy related problems.
REFERENCE Meenan A, Gaskin I M, Hunt Pet al 1991 A new (old) manoeuvre for the management of shoulder dystocia. Journal of Family Practice 32:625-629 Helen Callaghan Nurse U~litManager
Acupuncture in Midwifery Sharon Yelland Books f o r Midwives Press, 1996, 1st edn, ISBN 1-898507-4-6, Price £8.50
Acupuncture in Midwifery is written by a practising midwife employed in a Maternity Unit in Plymouth, England. Sharon Yelland is one of a small number of midwives who are also trained acupuncturists. The book gives an introduction into the role acupuncture may play in today's midwifery service. It is useful on two counts; firstly, for those midwives who wish to know more about the therapy, and secondly, for midwives to advise their clients on its use in pregnancy and the puerperium. A brief introduction to the theory of Chinese Medicine is followed by examples in which acupuncture may be used in pregnancy. Case studies are included, as are diagrams which are clear and add to the clarity of the text. A number of up-to-date references and further reading suggestions are included at the end of the book for those midwives wishing to expand their knowledge. I would recommend this book as an introduction to any midwife wishing to know more about acupuncture and its application to midwifery practice. This is an easy to read book which should be within the price range of any midwife. Ann Holroyd 8Sc RN RM Dip PSN
Fertility E. Chubb and Jane Knight David & Charles, 1996, 3rd edn, ISBN 07153-1424-0
This is an excellent book on fertility awareness and Natural Family Planning which gives sufficient research-based knowledge for the professional and has also made the text