Reseña

This book aims to describe in-depth decisions about maternal care with up-to-date and practical knowledge that improves obstetric and perinatal outcomes of the mother-baby binomial.

Developed in seven chapters, with dozens of figures, it begins by describing the physiological, hormonal, immunological, and enzymatic events produced in mother-fetus communication between the onset of regular uterine contractions, through labor, birth, and delivery, until the puerperium. In this context, the Friedman curve and the new studies and definitions established by Dr. Zhang and his group are compared. It is explained how the partograph must be filled out properly, relating to the alterations of labor known as dystocia, and recommendations are given for timely diagnosis and relevant interventions.

A chapter on electronic fetal monitoring is included, emphasizing antepartum and intrapartum interpretation and its clinical utility. Multiple examples are presented with recording graphs and correlated with fetal acid-base status.

Postpartum hemorrhage is addressed. It is a foreseeable event secondary to childbirth, whose mortality is almost always avoidable. For this reason the authors develop the topic including pathophysiology, etiology, risk factors, prevention, diagnosis, and diagnostic aids, medical and surgical interventions according to the cause