"This powerful book, beautifully brought together by Diane Menage and Jenny Patterson, begins by exploring the complexity of love, then turns to how it can be lived out in practice through the five languages of touch, acts, words, time, and gifts, before concluding with the wider context of love in the midwifery profession. Each chapter feels like a wave of clarity, courageous and compassionate, underpinned by evidence yet deeply human. It reassures, inspires, and offers a practical way forward—not just for midwives, but for anyone working in the birthing world, shaping maternity care, or reviewing policy."

Iola Aaron in The Practising Midwife September 2025

“In this age of fear and uncertainty ‘Love and Midwifery’ feels very timely. Diane Menage and Jenny Patterson craft a testament to what is wonderful about midwifery. They assert that what underpins compassionate, kind, person centred care is love. This is not love of the ‘rainbow and unicorn variety’, but love that holds a strong, grounded safe space, love that guides women and their families through the liminal zone, the ‘red in tooth and claw’ zone, of birth and transition to parenthood.

The book is a collection of chapters by a number of authors and all bring their unique personal perspective to the concept.

The deep philosophy of Elizabeth Newnham’s chapter took a number of readings, but is probably my favourite- its key message that loving practice enables us to ‘let otherness be’ is powerful and something we all have to remind ourselves of.

Sheila and Anna Byrom’s chapter on love for our colleagues facilitating team cohesion and being an antidote to incivility and bullying should essential reading for PMAs and student midwives as they near qualification.

Indy Luna’s chapter brought her very practical perspective as a midwife practicing in Ethiopia where she explores midwifery as social activism and a challenge to social injustice.

Diane’s chapter on professional issues discussed the concept of research being a form of love- that love is required to put in the energy needed to make the effort to find an answer to a question through research- blew my mind! Research has such a dry and dusty image but this idea that it’s drive to solve problems is part of loving practice feels revolutionary.

There is so much more to the book than what I have highlighted here. If you are a midwife, student midwife, or are just interested in maternity care and women’s health, I urge you to read this. It will lift your loving soul on the days when that is flagging and make you remember why you keep doing what you do”.

Sophie, Midwifery Lecturer, England, UK

“A beautifully compassionate exploration into the role of love and its impact on all within today’s midwifery care. Supported by relevant theory and offering tips to enhance practice “Love and Midwifery “ is an absolute must read for all those in, or interested in, the profession with a common goal to provide safe effective loving care”.

Jane, Midwife 14/09/2025 England, UK

“As a midwifery educator this insightful read belongs on every first year midwifery reading list and has the power to transform the way we approach contemporary midwifery education and maternity care”.

Rachel, Midwifery Educator. 20/09/2025 England, UK

“Incredible read. A seminal piece for contemporary midwifery practice. A beautiful insight into all elements of the midwifery profession in which the highs and lows are explored and the golden thread of love weaves its way throughout. Highly recommend!”

Maxine, Midwifery Educator 25/09/2025 England, UK

“Reading Love and Midwifery has affected me in a way I did not expect. I am excited. Here is a scholarly, well researched, carefully considered book from an academic publisher that has unexpectedly excited me. I will try to explain my excitement.

The title; a bold statement of what the book is about, no mincing words, no concessions to those who might find the juxtaposition of the words ‘love’ and ‘midwifery’ challenging.
The relevance of the subject matter. This is stuff that needs to be brought to attention, needs to be said out-loud to counteract the stigma that has stifles the consideration of love in a professional context.
The repetitious and blatant use of that shocking four-letter word. The authors did not limit their vocabulary to easier options such as ‘compassion’, ‘empathy’, ‘caring’ and other aspects of the power word: LOVE.
The courage of all who contributed to this book. They risked being dismissed or ignored by those who think that love is not appropriate to the serious business of birthing.

Love And Midwifery describes what we are in danger of losing in the name of professionalism, science, practical efficiency and economic constraints. The book also details what can be gained by revitalizing the force that underpins it all. I know very little about midwifery but I recognize what the book is about from my own experience as a doctor in emergency departments. The pressure to meet targets, comply with protocols, document every detail, never admit to uncertainty, skip scheduled breaks, and to keep the conveyor belt rolling (all this in the context of unpredictably variable workloads) can easily lead to a loss of humanity. The love that motivates us to care for people who need our help gets worn away until we become numb and withdraw into ourselves, automatons waiting for the end of the shift. In my experience, when love gets lost, bad things happen. Mistakes happen, patients’ needs get ignored, working relationships break down, people resign.

Love And Midwifery speaks powerfully about the systemic issues that can lead to poor outcomes for both service users and providers. This excites me and gives me hope. This is revolutionary. This is an act of resistance. As Claire Feeley puts it her Foreword, these authors are “resisting the status quo of institutionalized, technocratic, task-based clinical activities.”

My heartfelt thanks to all of the contributors. Bravo!”

M. Thomas, 29/09/2025 Australia

Reviews