L&D Textbook

[thefmgirl, BSN, MSN, RN, APRN]

I wondered if anyone had some good suggestions for brushing up on women's health. I've begun a job in L&D and wanted to review all the stuff I've forgotten since my OB class. I could always repurchase the book from that class, but didn't know if someone had suggestions of books geared toward nurses rather than nursing students. Thanks!

[klone, MSN, RN]

Varney's Midwifery and Williams' Obstetrics (two different books)

[NurseNora, BSN, RN]

Go to the AWHONN website. First, you should join because it's always a good idea to belong to your professional organization. Also, you get discounts on books, webinars, classes, etc if you're a member. Principals and Practice of Fetal Monitoring is a good one for labor nurses. Look thru what they have. awhonn.org

[thefmgirl, BSN, MSN, RN, APRN]

Klone, thanks so much. Those two books both look great.

NurseNora, thank you, as well. I'm already a member of AWHONN, because I agree with you wholeheartedly. Their fetal monitoring books are great, but I'm wanting to brush up more on L&D practices and situations in addition to fetal monitoring. I have plans to take their intermediate course in June, hopefully followed by their advanced one a few months later.

[NurseNora, BSN, RN]

Anything by Polly Perez or Penny Simpkon is really good for labor support. I also like Ina Mae Gaskon, author of Spiritual Midwifery among other things. She's a well known lay midwife and I think it's good for us hospital types to remember that world wide most babies are not born with all the Western medicine stuff we have become used to. Birth is not a disease.

AWHONN also has some good books other than fetal monitoring. The Intermediate class is intended for nurses with 6 months of experience a d Advanced for those with at least one year of experience.