 NORMAL VALUES IN PREGNANCY
Ramsay et al
Review by Nita Purcal
This publication has been painstakingly put together to inform the reader of the wide range of normal values related to pregnancy and fetal welfare. Its content has been collated from studies of women attending antenatal care.
This content focuses on maternal and fetal normal values with some reference to labour. The authors have drawn on data from published longitudinal, cross-sectional and opportunistic studies and these studies are acknowledged clearly. Following the description of the normal values and at the back of the book is a comprehensive reference section that significantly adds to the book's value.
The normal values are clearly presented according to physiology, biochemistry, immunology, hematology and endocrinology. The normal values results are presented in clear tables and figures, a succinct comment is highlighted as a summary statement.
For midwives, this publication is a valuable ready reference of normal values with references for further reading.
For the student midwife, the book offers a wide range of samples of normal values and they are more extensive than a textbook could offer. The presentation of a wide range of normal values as presented in this book is a source of easy accessible reference material. Some examples of some of the figures and tables that would be most helpful to students are the physiology of pregnancy, weight gain in pregnancy, blood pressure measurement, and cardiac output of the pregnant woman. The summary comments on each normal value are informative and educative for students.
The collation of fetal normal values on physiology, biochemistry and hematology is also informative and educative and would be most useful for those clinicians caring for 'high risk' pregnancies.
The publication is presented clearly and concisely and the content is based on clinical research findings. It will serve as an excellent reference book and it will have a special appeal to medical, midwifery staff and students, especially those in the antenatal clinic or ward and the newborn nursery.
Nita Purcal
Senior Lecturer, Midwifery Coordinator
University of Western Sydney, Hawkesbury
Birth Issues 2000; 9(3):93.
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