This book about the art, craft and science of expert midwifery care, while focusing on  alternative physiological births  that are those  outside  of guidelines, the contents can be applied to any birthing choices. Drawing upon the findings of a PhD that captured the experiences of midwives who proactively supported alternative physiological births while working in the National Health Service, their practice was conceptualised as  skilled heartfelt practice . Skilled heartfelt practice denotes the interrelationship between midwives  attitudes and beliefs in support of women s choices, their values of cultivating meaningful relationships, and their expert practical clinical skills. It is these qualities combined that give rise to what is called  full-scope midwifery  as defined by the Lancet Midwifery Series. This book illuminates why and how these midwives facilitated safe, relational care.