This practical guide brings together a wide range of evidence-based information and practical tools for midwives, obstetricians and health visitors, empowering them to provide appropriate care throughout the reproductive journeys of LGBTQ+ people. Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and Queer (LGBTQ+) people have become pregnant, sought abortion care, miscarried, experienced infertility, given birth, and made decisions about infant feeding throughout history, in various cultures around the world. These reproductive journeys are increasingly visible, perhaps reflecting the changing social and legal recognition of sexual minority and gender minority people as parents. LGBTQ+ people require support during these significant life events which is appropriate, expert, and meets their needs.

However, midwives and obstetricians may not always be confident in working with these clients and may lack understanding of how gender and sexual orientation can affect their clients' experiences. There is also insufficient attention often paid to the non-gestational parent. Bringing together up-to-date research findings from disparate disciplines including healthcare, psychology, sociology and beyond, this book provides a knowledge base and tools to support clients at different stages of pregnancy and birth. The book moves from pre-conception and fertility research, through pregnancy and birth, to access to postnatal physical and mental health care. It also covers termination care and perinatal loss.

Each chapter contains vignettes which personalise the issues discussed, boxes highlighting key practice recommendations, and suggestions for further reading. This is an essential guide for student midwives and medical students, as well as health visitors, midwives and obstetricians in practice.