Midwifery
Use this guide to find information resources about midwifery including books, reports and journal articles.
Last updated:
16/05/2024
Key Resources
![Publication Cover](https://www.rcn.org.uk/library/-/media/Royal-College-Of-Nursing/Images/Books-140x200/Midwifery/RCN-bladder.jpg?h=200&w=140&la=en&hash=4C485687261296E423B2B0755C290D69)
![Publication cover](https://www.rcn.org.uk/library/-/media/Royal-College-Of-Nursing/Images/Publications-140x200/2019/December/007833.png?h=200&w=140&la=en&hash=9493055B7457596E624688FDF794E3C9)
![Publication Cover](https://www.rcn.org.uk/library/-/media/Royal-College-Of-Nursing/Images/Books-140x200/Midwifery/RCN-multiple-births.jpg?h=200&w=140&la=en&hash=1BBCD744E632603FC9DA413767C8FA84)
![Book cover](https://www.rcn.org.uk/library/-/media/Royal-College-Of-Nursing/Images/Books-140x200/Womens-Health/RCN-conscientious-objection.jpg?h=200&w=140&la=en&hash=AF1D714D537B9C4795F254C7B293E41D)
![Publication cover](https://www.rcn.org.uk/library/-/media/Royal-College-Of-Nursing/Images/Publications-140x200/2020/January/007959.jpg?h=200&w=140&la=en&hash=8F90CA3AE660B8960E71FBEE80E71DC7)
![Book cover](https://www.rcn.org.uk/library/-/media/Royal-College-Of-Nursing/Images/Books-140x200/Womens-Health/RCN-Induced-abortion.jpg?h=200&w=140&la=en&hash=99ABC065E5028AA0FDB86105C87A9EC2)
![Book Cover](https://www.rcn.org.uk/library/-/media/Royal-College-Of-Nursing/Images/Books-140x200/Fertility-Nursing/RCN-termination-of-pregnancy.jpg?h=200&w=140&la=en&hash=BA57BF6BA9C9EC9490FC63276A00856C)
RCN: Domestic abuse
RCN: Female genital mutilation
RCN: Modern slavery and human trafficking
Nursing and Midwifery Council (2019) Future midwife. London: NMC.
Royal College of Midwives (2016) The RCM standards for midwifery services in the UK. London: RCM.
Nursing and Midwifery Council (no date) Standards for competence for registered midwives. London: NMC.
Nursing and Midwifery Council (2018) The Code: professional standards of practice and behaviour for nurses, midwives and nursing associates. London: NMC.
Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists: Guidelines
The Cochrane Library: Browse by topic.
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Systematic reviews from the Cochrane Library. Topics include pregnancy and childbirth.
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We would like to thank the RCN Midwifery member community for their input into the development of this subject guide.
Books
![Book cover](https://www.rcn.org.uk/library/-/media/Royal-College-Of-Nursing/Images/Books-140x200/Midwifery/Baston-Midwifery-antenatal.jpg?h=235&w=140&la=en&hash=D0446E1B97DE6F93C96E0A9388D3E7B6)
![Book cover](https://www.rcn.org.uk/library/-/media/Royal-College-Of-Nursing/Images/Books-140x200/Midwifery/Baston-Midwifery-the-basics.jpg?h=210&w=140&la=en&hash=6E4FFC1374C6D69DDE5193B9F01C06FE)
![Book cover](https://www.rcn.org.uk/library/-/media/Royal-College-Of-Nursing/Images/Books-140x200/Midwifery/Crozier-Dilemmas.jpg?h=210&w=140&la=en&hash=3FF468FE77F34EB85888EEA1E16CFE57)
![Davy L and Houghton D (2013) The midwive's pocket formulary. Book Cover](https://www.rcn.org.uk/library/-/media/Royal-College-Of-Nursing/Images/Books-140x200/Midwifery/Davy-The-midwives-pocket-formulary.jpg?h=227&w=140&la=en&hash=D31470DD0D625FE07A9239ADA3B66F33)
![Book cover](https://www.rcn.org.uk/library/-/media/Royal-College-Of-Nursing/Images/Books-140x200/Midwifery/Forrest-Midwifery-at-a-glance.jpg?h=181&w=140&la=en&hash=6CB0A94AF0637E3DCF99C2466AD0D2B2)
![Book cover](https://www.rcn.org.uk/library/-/media/Royal-College-Of-Nursing/Images/Books-140x200/Midwifery/Jefford-Empowering-decision.jpg?h=197&w=140&la=en&hash=839A53010BBA9313CB2877E9C1E673EF)
![Skills for Midwifery Practice. Ruth Johnson.](https://www.rcn.org.uk/library/-/media/Royal-College-Of-Nursing/Images/Books-140x200/Midwifery/Johnson-Skills-for-Midwifery.jpg?h=179&w=140&la=en&hash=E3ACC9D6EA904CB50B2EE498924C3A6F)
![Book Cover](https://www.rcn.org.uk/library/-/media/Royal-College-Of-Nursing/Images/Books-140x200/Midwifery/Kenny-Obstetrics.jpg?h=181&w=140&la=en&hash=95E8B6A3720575A7156FCCCD5577F961)
![Book cover](https://www.rcn.org.uk/library/-/media/Royal-College-Of-Nursing/Images/Books-140x200/Midwifery/Lindsay-Midwifery-skills.jpg?h=181&w=140&la=en&hash=DEE1FDA7D8594447F8B767345F2E009B)
![Book Cover](https://www.rcn.org.uk/library/-/media/Royal-College-Of-Nursing/Images/Books-140x200/Midwifery/Lomax-Examination-of-the-newborn.jpg?h=200&w=140&la=en&hash=871E82C00D9FD3B330BC352EAD26A45F)
![Book Cover](https://www.rcn.org.uk/library/-/media/Royal-College-Of-Nursing/Images/Books-140x200/Midwifery/MacDonald-Mayes-midwifery.jpg?h=172&w=140&la=en&hash=27484E960025955F45837D60514A7AF3)
![Book Cover](https://www.rcn.org.uk/library/-/media/Royal-College-Of-Nursing/Images/Books-140x200/Midwifery/Wilks-Choices-in-pregnancy.jpg?h=211&w=140&la=en&hash=A3C5ED1381DDCD9F92C661D28A5DD4CC)
Book subject searches
Use these links to see details of books the RCN libraries hold on each topic.
Journal articles
Use these links for details of journal articles on each topic.
Journals
![British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology](https://www.rcn.org.uk/library/-/media/Royal-College-Of-Nursing/Images/Journals/BJOG.jpg?h=186&w=140&la=en&hash=098478332525D10C84CC97D5D38E2758)
Databases
Maternity and Infant Care
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Search for online journal articles and print references on midwifery, pregnancy, labour and early infant care.
Open Maternity and Infant Care
Nursing History Collection
![Book Cover](https://www.rcn.org.uk/library/-/media/Royal-College-Of-Nursing/Images/Books-140x200/Midwifery/Leap-Midwifes-tale.jpg?h=212&w=140&la=en&hash=2FA273AA9E49CFC47507F5973B026AED)
![Book Cover](https://www.rcn.org.uk/library/-/media/Royal-College-Of-Nursing/Images/Books-140x200/Midwifery/McIntosh-Social-history-of-maternity-and-childbirth.jpg?h=211&w=140&la=en&hash=B188F47236D8C4805313C6C92F0F6042)
![Book Cover](https://www.rcn.org.uk/library/-/media/Royal-College-Of-Nursing/Images/Books-140x200/Midwifery/Worth-Call-the-midwife.jpg?h=215&w=140&la=en&hash=38C72B40003CBBDBFF134B9C553BF241)
Special collections
Our Permanent Collection consists of nursing specific core items and rare items. It is viewable by appointment at the RCN Library and Heritage Centre. Here is a small selection of items from our collection.
Pritchard E (1934) The new-born baby a manual for the use of midwives and maternity nurses. London: Henry Kimton.
Radcliffe W (1967) Milestones in midwifery. Bristol: John Wright
Robinson H (1916) The midwives pronouncing dictionary of obstetrical and gynaecological terms. London: Scientific Press.
Historical journals
Nursing Record/British Journal of Nursing (1888-1956)
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Digitised journal available online.
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Archives
The RCN Archive contains many references to midwifery within the personal papers collections. One of the most significant midwifery collections in our archive is that of midwifery tutor Gertrude Baker. Mrs Baker collected material for a museum of midwifery, the papers of which have been donated to the RCN. These include research and career information of not only Mrs Baker, but many individual midwives who gave her their own collections towards her work, including certificates, badges and photographs. For more details search the Archive catalogue for RefNo C502.
![RCN Library staff](https://www.rcn.org.uk/library/-/media/Royal-College-Of-Nursing/Images/Quotes-and-Blog-Profiles-145x145/Library/Hannah-Slater.jpg?h=145&w=145&la=en&hash=1DD8A8895EE6E12590BBCA5923BE8BC6)
Hannah Slater
Editor of this guide
RCN Library and Museum
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Page last updated - 16/05/2024