Holistic Pain Management in Pregnancy - What RNs, APRNs, Midwives and Mental Health Professionals Need to Know

This book presents a patient centric, holistic view and management strategy for registered nurses, advanced practice nurses and midwives to care for the pregnant female, including considerations in pregnancy planning. There is a significant gap in information about holistic care and nursing considerations of the pregnant female with regards to pain management, which this book fills. 

It develops on the preparation before pregnancy, as nutrition or exercise, on behavioural management of pain with the impact of anxiety and different therapies. The book examines the musculoskeletal pain, the headache and fibromyalgia occurring during pregnancy. It also informs on the nutraceuticals in pregnancy, the use of opioids and of nerve blocks. This book finally explores complementary treatments during pregnancy.

Case-studies are presented for improved understanding and to provide a real-world perspective.  This book, written by nursing and psychology experts in their fields of specialty practice, will appeal to nurses and midwives working with pregnant women or planning to have a baby.

Theresa Mallick-Searle is an Adult Nurse Practitioner with over 20 years' experience at Stanford Health Care in Palo Alto, California. She received her graduate degree from University of California, San Francisco.  Her current clinical practice within the Division of Pain Medicine, focuses primarily on evaluation and treatment of individuals suffering from acute and chronic pain conditions in both the hospital and outpatient settings.  As part of her commitment to education and professional development, she lectures extensively on topics surrounding pain management both locally and regionally.  She has authored and co-authored numerous articles, abstracts, and book chapters on topics pertaining to pain assessment and management. Theresa's interest in the management of pain in pregnancy developed initially while on the acute pain consult service at Stanford Hospital, being sought out regularly to assist the OB-GYN service with their patients with chronic pain management needs.