I was delighted and pleased to read ‘POET’ which gives practical
advice to a range of practitioners. Although it is intended
for pre-hospital practitioners there is valuable information for
nurses, midwives, general practitioners (GPs) and pre- and postregistration
doctors. The chapters cover a wide variety of topics
starting from the organisation of obstetric services to details of
anatomy, physiology and normal delivery. Once this is covered,
the chapters logically proceed to a general approach to the obstetric
patient followed by management of emergencies in early
and late pregnancy and during delivery. The illustrations and flow
charts of care pathways make it simple to read and to keep in mind
the logical steps to be taken to provide the best care.