Pioneering book focuses on emotion in maternity and reproductive health care
Billie Hunter, Professor of Midwifery at Swansea University's School of Health Science, has co-edited an innovative new book, which provides new research findings dealing with emotion work across maternity care and infertility services in the UK and internationally.
Emotions in Midwifery and Reproduction will be published by Palgrave Macmillan on Friday, October 31, and launched in Waterstone's bookshop at the University's campus on Thursday, November 20.
Professor Hunter and co-editor Dr Ruth Deery, Reader in Midwifery at the University of Huddersfield, draw together key research, explaining the field’s theoretical underpinnings and enhancing the understanding of emotions and how they are managed, experienced and negotiated in clinical settings.
The book is a culmination of their PhD research findings, research papers from their jointly organised conference, A Labour of Love? Emotion Work and Reproduction, and work by 16 contributors who represent some of the foremost researchers and writers in the area of emotions and reproductive health, from the UK and internationally.
Professor Hunter, Wales' first Professor of Midwifery and Chair of the Iolanthe Midwifery Trust, said: "This research-based book is the first of its kind to focus specifically on emotions in maternity care and reproductive health care.
"It draws on the work of key contemporary international authors working in the field to provide a 'state of the art' compilation of the current body of knowledge."
The book is relevant to students on midwifery and nursing courses as well as students in the areas of sociology and psychology. It will also be of benefit to midwives in practice, as well as to health care professionals working within infertility services.
Dr Ruth Deery, Reader in Midwifery at the University of Huddersfield, said: "Our book is unique to midwifery and reproduction highlighting key themes where change is needed, especially in the NHS.
"Reflection on practice is encouraged throughout the book helping practitioners to make links to their clinical practice so that strategic debate is encouraged to help make a difference to women's reproductive health."
Key writer Professor Arlie Russell Hochschild, of the Sociology Department at the University of California, Berkeley, added: "Drawing on the extraordinary collective experience of its authors, this welcome volume shifts the spotlight back to real care.
"Emotion work, its authors show, is real work, at time even the real work. This is the message of this book. Pass it on."
Emotions in Midwifery and Reproduction, priced £19.99, is published by Palgrave Macmillan on October 31. For more information visit the publisher’s website by following this link.
