Prenatal to 6 years

The Family-Centred Maternity and Newborn Care: National Guidelines, 4^th Edition, were developed as a result of a collaborative process involving health care providers and consumers. As we move into the new millennium, these Guidelines will help us achieve the objective that we all share - a healthy and satisfying pregnancy, birth and postpartum experience for all mothers, babies and families.

Family-centred maternity and newborn care is a complex, multidimensional, dynamic process of providing safe, skilled and individualized care. It responds to the physical, emotional and psychosocial needs of the woman and her family. In family-centred maternity and newborn care, pregnancy and birth are considered normal, healthy life events. As well, family-centred maternity and newborn care recognizes the significance of family support, participation, and choice. It effect, it reflects an attitude rather than a protocol.

Table of Contents

• Chapter 1  Introduction and Philosophy
• Chapter 2  Organization of Services
• Chapter 3  Preconception Care
• Chapter 4  Care During Pregnancy
• Chapter 5  Care During Labour and Birth
• Chapter 6  Early Postpartum Care and Transition to the Community
• Chapter 7  Breastfeeding
• Chapter 8  Loss and Grief
• Chapter 9  Transport
• Chapter 10 Facilities and Equipment
• Chapter 11 Companion Documents
• Chapter 12 Index

Participating Organisations

• Aboriginal Nurses Association of Canada
• Association of Women's Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses - Canada
• Canadian Anaesthetist's Society
• Canadian Coalition for the Prevention of Developmental Disabilities
• Canadian Coalition for Regionalized Perinatal Care
• Canadian Confederation of Midwives
• Canadian Council on Health Services Accreditation
• Canadian Healthcare Association
• Canadian Institute of Child Health
• Canadian Medical Association
• Canadian Nurses Association
• Canadian Pediatric Society
• Canadian Public Health Association
• Canadian Women's Health Network
• College of Family Physicians of Canada
• International Childbirth Education Association (ICEA)
• Native Physicians Association in Canada
• Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada (SOGC)