The Clinical Physiology of the Puerperium
Organized largely by physiological system, this text covers the puerperium, a time of huge and rapid change in human (female) physiology. For many months a pregnant woman's body undergoes steady, but far reaching changes; she returns to normal in little more than a tenth of the time, during which period of rapid change she is lactating, usually coping with a baby, and often having to make post natal adustments of an emotional nature. Such controlled change is of interest to physiologists; it is also important that all tending the post partum female, understand the altered and altering state of their charges. This volume introduces the subject with observations on the sociology and cultural history of the condition.