Obstetrics is a unique field of medical care because, in its uncomplicated or natural form, pregnancy, labour and delivery are not diseases, but normal physiological events constituting an integral part of human life. Three equally important facets form the basis of obstetrics: the needs of the pregnant woman, the wellbeing of the baby, and the ability to perform a medical intervention should either of these be threatened before, during and/or after birth. Clinical obstetrics: a South African perspective is an authoritative and up-to-date textbook dealing with current obstetric practice, focusing specifically on conditions and problems prevailing in South Africa.
Clinical obstetrics: a South African perspective covers a wide range of topics from physiological adaptations, diagnosis and management of normal pregnancy and delivery, to teratogenesis,red cell allo-immunisation, congenital abnormalities and preterm labour. It also discusses the risks involved in poor progress in labour, abnormal fetal lie and presentation,viral infections and multiple pregnancies. There are separate sections for medical and surgical conditions, as well as diagnostic procedures.
PART ONE Scientific foundation of obstetrics
1. Development of the embryo and fetus
2. Physiological adaptations in pregnancy
3. The physiology of labour and delivery
4. The mature fetus
5. Mechanism of labour
PART TWO Normal obstetrics
6. Pre-pregnancy counselling and health information
7. Diagnosis of pregnancy
8. Antenatal care
9. Management of normal labour
10. Pain relief during labour
11. Natural birth
12. Management of the newborn baby
13. Postpartum care and breastfeeding
14. Postpartum contraception and sterilisation
PART THREE Abnormal obstetrics
15. Teratogenesis
16. Congenital abnormalities
17. Red cell allo-immunisation
18. Maternal weight in pregnancy
19. Inadequate fundal growth
20. Excessive fundal growth
21. Prolonged pregnancy
22. Absent fetal movements and intrauterine fetal death
23. Pre-term labour
24. Pre-term rupture of membranes
25. Antepartum haemorrhage
26. Postpartum haemorrhage
27. Uterine rupture and trauma of the lower genital tract
28. Acute puerperal uterine inversion
29. Drugs acting on the uterus and cervix
30. Termination of pregnancy in the mid-trimester
31. Induction of labour
32. Occipito-posterior position
33. Abnormal fetal lie and presentation
34. Shoulder dystocia
35. Acute intrapartum fetal compromise
36. Umbilical cord prolapse
37. Abnormalities of the placenta, umbilical cord, membranes and amniotic fluid
38. Poor progress in labour
39. Forceps and ventouse delivery
40. Caesarean section
41. Symphysiotomy and destructive procedures
42. Breech presentation
43. Multiple pregnancies
44. Advanced extrauterine pregnancy
45. Abnormalities of the puerperium
PART FOUR Medical and surgical conditions
46. Drugs in pregnancy and lactation
47. Drug abuse
48. Immunisation during pregnancy
49. Minor ailments in pregnancy
50. Human immunodeficiency virus infection in pregnancy
51. Viral infections in pregnancy (excluding HIV)
52. Infection during pregnancy (excluding viral infection)
53. Intra-amniotic infection
54. Respiratory disease in pregnancy
55. Liver disease in pregnancy
56. Diseases of the urinary tract
57. Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy
58. Cardiac disease in pregnancy
59. Diabetes mellitus in pregnancy
60. Thyroid disease in pregnancy
61. Blood disorders in pregnancy
62. Autoimmune diseases during pregnancy
63. Epilepsy in pregnancy
64. Psychiatric disorders in pregnancy
65. Skin diseases in pregnancy
66. Acute abdominal pain in pregnancy
67. Gynaecological neoplasia in pregnancy
PART FIVE Diagnostic procedures in obstetrics
68. Antepartum assessment methods for fetal wellbeing
69. Ultrasound
70. Imaging of a pregnant patient
71. Diagnostic procedures
PART SIX Critical care obstetrics
72. The critically ill obstetric patient
73. Acute renal failure
74. Disseminated intravascular coagulation
PART SEVEN General topics
75. The effect of age, parity and socioeconomic status on pregnancy outcome
76. Cultural aspects in obstetrics
77. Obstetrics in the community
78. Labour room policy
79. Quality control in obstetrics
80. Perinatal mortality
81. Maternal mortality
82. Female genital tract mutilation
