Peripartum care is part of the routine practice of family doctors midwives and obstetricians but for mothers childbirth is a momentous and sometimes traumatic experience. Without proper care and understanding even mild emotional distress may be prolonged whilst more serious problems can result in lasting damage to the mother her family and particularly to the psychological development of the child. This book provides authoratative and practical guidance for all professionals involved in perinatal care in both the hospital and the community. The skills it advocates recognise the considerable humanitarian and economic benfits of preventive care particularly for those who are most vulnerable.