This book invites readers to reflect on the challenges, innovations, and achievements related to the health of women and newborns in a broad, multidisciplinary way.
It presents a comprehensive, structured, and innovative approach to maternal health, bringing together chapters organized into four main sections. Each chapter explores critical and emerging dimensions of maternal care, ranging from global and sociocultural contexts to innovations in childbirth and postpartum care. The book is unique for its thematic diversity and the way it combines current research, evidence-based clinical practice, and cultural sensitivities. It is aimed at health professionals, students, researchers, and policymakers working in the fields of maternal nursing, midwifery, public health, and reproductive rights.

The structure in thematic sections allows for progressive and focused reading, addressing, for example, the health of migrant women, the ethics of abortion, public breastfeeding, as well as innovative practices such as hypnobirthing and lotus birth. The section on postpartum care provides a close look at clinical and cultural practices, including perineal trauma care, skin-to-skin contact, and tandem breastfeeding. The optional section on mental health and indigenous practices fills a critical gap often overlooked in technical publications in the field.

The main objectives are to promote the humanization of maternal care, to foster evidence-based practices combined with respect for cultural preferences, and to contribute to the training of more aware, empathetic, and informed professionals. This book distinguishes itself by filling a multidimensional gap in maternal health literature, by integrating clinical, ethical, and sociocultural knowledge, and positions itself as an essential reference for more inclusive, holistic, and woman-centered maternal care.

Maria Otília Brites Zangão, PhD in Nursing, and a master’s degree in Human Ecology, has completed three graduate-level courses in Psychology of Pregnancy and Motherhood, Health Care Facility Management, and Physical Activity During Pregnancy and the Postpartum Period. A specialist in Maternal-Obstetric Nursing, she has been a trainer and breastfeeding counselor since 2010.

She is a coordinating professor at the University of Évora, Deputy Director of the São João de Deus School of Nursing in Portugal, director of the Master’s Program in Maternal-Obstetric Nursing, and a researcher at the Center for Integral Health Research (CHRC). She has published articles and book chapters, and has organized and participated as a speaker at various events. In addition, she supervises master’s and doctoral dissertations and has received awards and/or honors. She participates as a researcher in funded projects and works in the fields of Medical and Health Sciences, with an emphasis on Health Sciences, specifically Nursing, Nursing Education, Breastfeeding, Maternal Health, Obstetrics/Gynecology, and Violence.

Paula Cristina Vaqueirinho Bilro is a PhD student in Health and Well-being Sciences and Technologies, Nursing Branch, University of Évora, Portugal. She has a Master's Degree in Sociology - Human Resources and Sustainable Development, a Postgraduate Specialization in Maternal Health and Obstetrics Nursing from the Escola Superior de Enfermagem S. João Deus Évora, in 2010; and a postgraduate degree in Health Unit Administration. She is a Specialist Nurse in Maternal Health and Obstetrics at USF Alcaides - Centro de Saúde de Montemor-o-Novo, Unidade Local de Saúde do Alentejo Central, appointed to management and leadership roles. She has been a member of the Unit's Technical Council since 2015, in charge of the Nursing group. She has been evaluating SIADAP nurses since 2017. She collaborates as an Assistant Professor and is a member of the Comprehensive Health Research Center (CHRC).

Susana Isabel do Vale Martins Soeiro Delgadinho is a PhD student in Health and Well-being Sciences and Technologies, Nursing Branch, University of Évora (Portugal), and has a Postgraduate Specialization in Maternal Health and Obstetrics Nursing. She is a Specialist Nurse in Maternal Health and Obstetrics at UCC Ponte de Sor, where she manages a project to prepare for childbirth and parenting for groups of pregnant women/families/communities. She is a member of the ethics committee of the Portuguese Association of Obstetric Nurses.She collaborates as an Assistant Professor at the S. João Deus School of Nursing, University of Évora. She has book chapters published. She has supervised master's dissertations.

Ana Filipa da Silva Poeira, holds a PhD in Nursing Sciences, an MSc in Human Resources Development Policies, an MSc in Maternal and Obstetric Nursing, and a postgraduate qualification in Social Sciences Data Analysis. She is an Assistant Professor at the School of Health of the Polytechnic Institute of Setúbal and a collaborating researcher at the Comprehensive Health Research Center (CHRC), Portugal. Her research focuses on maternal and obstetric nursing, evidence-based practice, research ethics, and pedagogical innovation in higher education. She has published scientific papers and book chapters and has participated in national and international research projects. She has extensive experience in research ethics as a member of Research Ethics Committees, contributing to the ethical review of health research.