Professional responsibility, “good practice and malpractice” in obstetrics is one of the major areas of medical-legal litigation. To date, however, there are no texts that deal simultaneously with both the critical aspects of labor and delivery and legal aspects. This text, for the first time, brings together both topics. It is the only one that responds to the need to provide a guide that indicates what to do and what not to do in the assistance of labor and delivery. It guides in the recognition of the negative aspects of management (bad practice) that are often based on traditional processes, on scientific assumptions never validated.

Both ACOG (American) and RACOG (British) guidelines have been included, so as to provide all the tools necessary to judge the work of obstetricians and gynecologists based on the country of membership. In every country, in fact, different guidelines are followed, here illustrated in full.

To facilitate consultation, the text is divided into chapters dedicated to the various stages of preparation and care of labor, delivery, and postpartum. Each chapter is entrusted to the best international experts on the subject.

The text - the first of its kind - is the only one that responds to the need to provide a guide that indicates what to do and what not to do in assisting labor and delivery. Indeed, looking at both to the critical and legal aspects (valid for all countries), the guidebook in the recognition of negative management aspects (bad practice) that are often based on traditional processes, on scientific assumptions never validated, on "personal beliefs and opinions". 

Authors

Gian Carlo Di Renzo

Professor and Chairman Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Centre for Perinatal and Reproductive Medicine Santa Maria Della Misericordia University Hospital, University of Perugia, Italy, Past General Secretary FIGO (International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics)

Vincenzo Berghella

Director, Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine Professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Sidney Kimmel Medical College Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, USA

Antonio Malvasi

Adjunct Professor at the Laboratory of Human Physiology, Phystech BioMed School, Faculty of Biological & Medical Physics, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (State University), Dolgoprudny, Moscow Region, Russia Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Santa Maria Hospital, G.V.M. Care & Research, Bari, Italy.