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Electronic monitoring of the fetal heart
Book reviews
of decision making during prenatal testing. The book contains several chapters on different topics relating to fetal assessment and each chapter can be read on its own. Topics include fetal growth and well-being, genetic counselling, fetal screening, diagnosis of fetal abnormality, fetal infection and assessing placental function. Some of the ethical dilemmas involved in fetal assessment are also considered. It is well referenced, making it easy for those who wish to delve further into this subject. The references are listed together at the end of the book but would have been easier to access if listed at the end of each chapter. Reasonably priced, this book provides an up-to-date overview of current fetal assessment and will be a useful addition for libraries, for antenatal clinics and for midwives, especially those who do not have an in-depth knowledge of the subject.
Susan Watson RGN RM DPSM
Electronic Monitoring of the Fetal Heart J. Williams and J. Blanchard Haigh & Hochland Ltd, 1995, lst edn, ISBN 1-898507-11-2, Price £9.95 The design of the book is practical - the compact size and waterproof cover deem
it a practical companion for the clinical area. It is easy to read with a logical flow of information but when this flow is interrupted in chapter six, the authors offer an explanation. Each chapter concludes with a list of key points, which is particularly useful when teaching and also acts as a brief summary. Most information is current and easy to locate and the text reads easily. Chapter two has a good basic outline of the physiology of the fetal heart rate and hypoxia, which any midwife would find useful when consolidating existing knowledge. The use of case histories is supported with good illustrations of actual fetal heart traces. Those with a subsequent discussion are particularly useful to the clinical midwife. A debate at the end of the book on the subject of electronic fetal monitoring, encourages m i d w i v e s to articulate their own thoughts on the subject. The glossary, index and electronic monitoring checklist make the book user-friendly. References are c o m p r e h e n s i v e and the majority are easily accessible. A suggested further reading list encourages the reader to examine the subject further. A practical, logical, good value guide.
51
Developmental Care of the Premature Baby
JeaNneYoung Baillier Tindall, 1996, 1st edn, ISBN 07020-2137-7, Price £9.95 This small book presents a critical analysis of recent research into neurodevelopmental care of the pre-term baby. The author is a nurse and midwife currently working as a research nurse in a department of child health within a university in the UK. The book covers many salient issues on developmental care including the iatrogenic harm caused by the neonatal environment and outlines steps which can be taken by neonatal nursing staff to overcome these hazards. The material on positioning and handling is particularly useful. Chapters cover visual, auditory, somatosensory and neuromotor development. Material is very well referenced and would be of value to those who wish to read more on any of the topics covered. The illustrations are well presented but unfortunately the quality of the photographs is poor. I am confident that if every neonatal nurse took time to read this book improvement of care could be achieved. Overall the book is well worth buying and I would recommend it to neonatal nursing staff.
Eileen Stringer
Veronica Harrison
RGN RM DPSM
RN RM
of decision making during prenatal testing. The book contains several chapters on different topics relating to fetal assessment and each chapter can be read on its own. Topics include fetal growth and well-being, genetic counselling, fetal screening, diagnosis of fetal abnormality, fetal infection and assessing placental function. Some of the ethical dilemmas involved in fetal assessment are also considered. It is well referenced, making it easy for those who wish to delve further into this subject. The references are listed together at the end of the book but would have been easier to access if listed at the end of each chapter. Reasonably priced, this book provides an up-to-date overview of current fetal assessment and will be a useful addition for libraries, for antenatal clinics and for midwives, especially those who do not have an in-depth knowledge of the subject.
Susan Watson RGN RM DPSM
Electronic Monitoring of the Fetal Heart J. Williams and J. Blanchard Haigh & Hochland Ltd, 1995, lst edn, ISBN 1-898507-11-2, Price £9.95 The design of the book is practical - the compact size and waterproof cover deem
it a practical companion for the clinical area. It is easy to read with a logical flow of information but when this flow is interrupted in chapter six, the authors offer an explanation. Each chapter concludes with a list of key points, which is particularly useful when teaching and also acts as a brief summary. Most information is current and easy to locate and the text reads easily. Chapter two has a good basic outline of the physiology of the fetal heart rate and hypoxia, which any midwife would find useful when consolidating existing knowledge. The use of case histories is supported with good illustrations of actual fetal heart traces. Those with a subsequent discussion are particularly useful to the clinical midwife. A debate at the end of the book on the subject of electronic fetal monitoring, encourages m i d w i v e s to articulate their own thoughts on the subject. The glossary, index and electronic monitoring checklist make the book user-friendly. References are c o m p r e h e n s i v e and the majority are easily accessible. A suggested further reading list encourages the reader to examine the subject further. A practical, logical, good value guide.
51
Developmental Care of the Premature Baby
JeaNneYoung Baillier Tindall, 1996, 1st edn, ISBN 07020-2137-7, Price £9.95 This small book presents a critical analysis of recent research into neurodevelopmental care of the pre-term baby. The author is a nurse and midwife currently working as a research nurse in a department of child health within a university in the UK. The book covers many salient issues on developmental care including the iatrogenic harm caused by the neonatal environment and outlines steps which can be taken by neonatal nursing staff to overcome these hazards. The material on positioning and handling is particularly useful. Chapters cover visual, auditory, somatosensory and neuromotor development. Material is very well referenced and would be of value to those who wish to read more on any of the topics covered. The illustrations are well presented but unfortunately the quality of the photographs is poor. I am confident that if every neonatal nurse took time to read this book improvement of care could be achieved. Overall the book is well worth buying and I would recommend it to neonatal nursing staff.
Eileen Stringer
Veronica Harrison
RGN RM DPSM
RN RM