The Roar Behind the Silence: Why kindness, compassion and respect matter in maternity care

This book is essential reading for anyone that has anything to do with pregnant women! - so just about every one really ;)Very readable, insightful and motivating!I enjoyed the way that this book is written from the various perspectives and experiences of mums, dads, doulas, midwives, obstetricians, anaesthetists, human rights campaigners, and cultural backgrounds. The very succinct chapters and differing author styles makes it an easy to pick-up and read book when you're short on time.The eye-opening introduction to the prevalence and depth of fear in the maternity services is often hard to hear about, and at times, absolutely heart-rending. However, the book has a very solution focused message. Useful key summaries and action points are included at the end of each chapter, leaving you with do-able take-away motivations to make a difference. It's noticeable throughout the book, how small, often quite simple, individual acts of kindness and compassion can make a major difference to how people reflect on their experiences.This book has caused me to reflect deeply on my own practice, reminding me to actively respond with kindness, compassion and respect towards myself, my colleagues and the families I am privileged to work with. I hope you get as much from this book as I did.

Essential reading for all who care about birth in the 21st century. The authors, experienced and diverse, take you on a roller coaster journey through maternity services as they are today and offer insights and action points on how we can improve them for the future. On every page, whether midwife, student, doula, obstetrician, anaesthetist, barrister - the list goes on - the message shouts out loud and clear "kindness, respect and compassion matter" ! And not just to mothers and families but to everyone involved in birth - and yes, that's all of us. And it matters a lot, not just for us and now but for future generations. One of the strengths of this book are in its short chapters, you can pick it up, put it down, dip in and out whenever you please and you find that each author tells you clearly and succinctly the message they want to convey complete with action points you can put into practice right away. For me, the powerful prose from Alison Barratt in her eloquent chapter about a bad day at work hit like a stone. I also like that many of these authors are connected (and have probably met) through social media. Enter Twittersphere and you will find a whole host of people 'roaring behind the silence'.

This book has been a long time in coming and worth every minute reading it. When I first heard Sheena and Soo were compiling a book on Care and Compassion I couldn't wait to read it; so much so I pre-ordered it a year ago. Broken down into sections by eloquent authors means it is a very easy read. Each one connected to the other with terrific examples of when we get things so right in healthcare; and sadly when we get things wrong as well. Our attitude, our culture, our giving of care and compassion or our failure to do so makes a huge impact on women, babies and families, for bad or good. Fear of birth is rapidly escalating and my favourite quote was from Hannah Dahlen " we cannot begin to deal with womens fear of birth until we examine our own, and recognise that we can and do contribute to womens fear". There are so many excellent lessons to be learned from this book it should be a 'must read' by all working in maternity services.

Good read

As a practicing midwife, this book reinforces the core basic midwifery principles of care, kindness, consideration and empathy. I strive to be the best practitioner I can be, which can be challenging when caring for a population that in essence should be fit and healthy, but in practice seldom is. It is vital that the care women and their families receive is evidence based, honest and delivered with compassion, books like this are a good reminder to maybe the high risk midwife who is continually faced with medicalised birth. Thank you to all those contributed to this book, and please don't be put off buying it by some of the reviews on here, which appear to have a more personalised, unprofessional and unwarranted agenda. If you work with pregnant women and their families, in any capacity then this book is worth a read , particularly if you're a midwifery student and a bit bogged down with all the A and P books 😊.

This book is more important now than at any other time in maternity history. We face global concern at the immorality of access and inequity in care for women seeking a basic service. Each author writes with years of observation, direct provision of clinical care and personal reflections of their interactions with women. Whatever your connections with maternity be they professional or personal this book has something you should know. The vision of the editors is commendable, bringing together some of the most respected maternity leaders as contributors for each chapters. It is easy to read in whichever way you wish, a chapter at a time ,out of sequence if you wish. Student midwives will love it and junior doctors will learn from it. I would suggest every maternity unit should own several copies and commissioners should use the principles for their service agreements. If you are deciding whether to buy a copy take a leap of faith - do it. You will not be disappointed or waste your money a more important investment you couldn't make.

Heartbreaking reality for women and families as well as clinicians. Stories from a wide variety of places, told with love and compassion. Some realities of slow changes taking place, but mostly showing there is much work to do for real kindness and compassion to be shown to people on the end of clinicians across the world.

Inspirational

Great book!