Advances in research, knowledge and clinical practice in all branches of medicine have been rapid over the past decades and the speed is accelerating. Thus, as we enter the 1980s the pressure on specialists is to concentrate on ever-narrowing fields of their science. For the research worker this is desirable, but the practising clinician Our patient is a whole can have no clearly defined dividing lines. individual and every aspect of her makeup, physical and psychological, must always be taken fully into account. This is of vital importance in obstetrics and gynaecology. These two closely inter­ woven disciplines are branches of medical science in which emergency situations are not uncommon. Thus every practitioner, doctor, mid­ wife and nurse needs understanding of these subjects. Although tech­ nology advances rapidly, many basic principles remain the same. The chapters that follow deal with these, and modern trends in clinical management are discussed. For some decades the author has been in clinical charge of a matern­ ity hospital some 12 miles south of Central London. The hospital is a training school for obstetricians and midwives, and the local popula­ tion is adequately supplied with a general practitioner service. These circumstances are of some relevance because many views expressed are based on personal experience while others are based on countless books, articles, congresses and discussion with colleagues. To every source of information I express my thanks.