This is the only book to present the evidence-based policies and procedures that medical and non-medical staff can use to develop Mother-Friendly Care in their facilities. The Mother-Friendly Childbirth Initiative (MFCI), developed by the Coalition for Improving Maternity Services (CIMS), is a wellness model designed to improve birth outcomes and substantially reduce costs. It is an evidence-based mother-, baby- and family-friendly model that focuses on prevention and wellness as alternatives to high-cost screening, diagnosis and treatment programmes. The MFCI is the first and only consensus document on U.S. maternity care and is recognised as an important instrument for change in the U.S. and abroad.

The book is based on research and evidence developed by CIMS and includes 10 protocols, each with detailed policies and procedures and supporting information and resources that help implement the change to Mother-Friendly Care. Each protocol is authored and reviewed by recognised leaders in a variety of childbirth and maternity care arenas. The book traces the development of Mother-Friendly Care and describes its core tenets along with supporting statistical information. These tenets eschew practises not supported by scientific evidence. The manual includes implementation strategies for the evidence-based nursing care training programmes of such organisations as Lamaze, ICEA and AWHONN and supports the WHO-Unicef ""Ten Steps of the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative"" to promote successful breastfeeding.