Birthing methods Books
HarperCollins Publishers The Gentle Birth Method
Book SynopsisChildbirth guru Dr Gowri Motha, who practises with Dr Yehudi Gordon author of Birth and Beyond shows women how her revolutionary method helps women carry the baby to full term, have less intervention in the birth; feel less pain in labour, and feel happy and in control.The Gentle Birth method is a concise pregnancy programme combining diverse therapies such as creative healing' massage, a simple diet, self-hypnosis, reflexology and affirmation techniquesThe method was created by Dr Gowri Motha as an alternative to conventional obstetric practise, when she became alarmed at the increasing number of women needing intervention during their births. It teaches expectant mothers how to train their bodies and minds in order to reduce or prevent complications during pregnancy and labour.This book outlines the Method, with a month-by-month programme explaining how to rebalance the body and tailor it to the optimum condition for the birthing process. It includes guides to treating problems sucTrade ReviewThere is an intelligence behind her advice that fills me with confidence.' Gabby Logan, The Times
£15.29
Pinter & Martin Ltd. Why Birth Trauma Matters
Book SynopsisWhen we think about trauma and PTSD we tend to think about war and conflict. But around a third of women feel some part of their birth was traumatic. This experience can impact on their mental and physical health, their relationships and future plans. In Why Birth Trauma Matters, Dr Emma Svanberg, clinical psychologist and co-founder of Make Birth Better, explores what happens to those who go through a bad birth. She explains in detail how birth trauma occurs, examines the wide-ranging impact on all of those involved in birth, and looks at treatments and techniques to aid recovery. By drawing on her own research and the work of experts in the field, and sharing the first-hand experiences of women, she shows how it is possible to begin to move on.
£8.54
Rodale Press Orgasmic Birth: Your Guide to a Safe, Satisfying,
Book SynopsisWith 791,000 babies born in the UK last year, too many women experience birth as nothing more than a routine or painful event. In her much-praised film "Orgasmic Birth", acclaimed filmmaker Debra Pascali-Bonaro showed that in fact childbirth is a natural process to be enjoyed and cherished. Now she joins forces with renowned author and activist Elizabeth Davis to offer an enlightening programme to help women attain the most empowering and satisfying birth experience possible. While an orgasmic birth can, for some, induce feelings of intense, ecstatic pleasure, it is ultimately about taking control of one's own body and making the most informed decisions to have a safe, memorable, and joyful birth day. Whether women choose to give birth at home, in a hospital, or in a birthing centre, "Orgasmic Birth" provides all the necessary tools and guidance to design the birth plan that's best for them. Featuring inspiring stories from mothers and their partners and filled with practical advice and solutions, this one-of-a-kind resource is the next frontier of natural, intimate childbirth.
£12.74
Ebury Publishing Ina Mays Guide to Childbirth
Book SynopsisThe international bestseller that has helped millions of women trust in their body - and their baby - and give birth without fearDrawing on over 40 years'' experience, internationally acclaimed midwife Ina May Gaskin shows you how to use the mind-body connection to help labour progress calmly and safely. In Ina May''s Guide to Childbirth, she shares:- Inspiring real-life stories that show what a positive experience childbirth can be- What happens during labour and the true capabilities of the female body - How to create a comfortable environment for birth in any setting - Tips for maximising your chances of a relaxed and joyful birth experienceRead by millions of women around the world, this reassuring and practical guide will take the fear out of childbirth and restore your faith in the power of your body. With Gaskin''s timeless wisdom, you can approach birth with confidence and excitement, wherever and however it happens.<Trade ReviewIna May Gaskin is a...treasure. In this invaluable guide her deep experience and profound insights are updated for a new generation and a new set of technologies. Indispensable! * Naomi Wolf, author of The Beauty Myth and Misconceptions *As a reproductive scientist as well as a medical practitioner, I can assure readers that everything Ina May presents in this book is based on the best scientific evidence. This book should be read by every woman...and by every midwife, nurse, doula, childbirth educator and doctor * Dr Marsden Wagner, former Director of Women’s and Children’s Health, World Health Organization *Few books have the potential to improve the life of everyone born on the planet. This one does * Alice Walker, author of The Color Purple *intuitive and informative * Yoga Magazine *
£15.19
Ebury Publishing The Bump Class
Book Synopsis"This is one of the best books I have read on the subject" The Sun"Fresh, witty and reassuringly down-to-earth" You MagazineFed up with advice that did not take into account a less than perfect pregnancy, Dr Chiara Hunt and Marina Fogle set up their pregnancy course, The Bump Class, in London in 2013.Trade ReviewDown to earth and full of advice you actually need when pregnant, this is one of the best books I have read on the subject. Rather than following a formula, it feels like you are sitting with a friend having a cup of tea while learning a thing or two at the same time. The illustrations are lovely. * The Sun *
£18.00
Oxford University Press Brought to Bed
Book SynopsisBased on personal accounts by birthing women and their medical attendants, Brought to Bed reveals how childbirth has changed from colonial times to the present. Judith Walzer Leavitt's study focuses on the traditional woman-centered home-birthing practices, their replacement by male doctors, and the movement from the home to the hospital. She explains that childbearing women and their physicians gradually changed birth places because they believed the increased medicalization would make giving birth safer and more comfortable. Ironically, because of infection, infant and maternal mortality did not immediately decline. She concludes that birthing women held considerable power in determining labor and delivery events as long as childbirth remained in the home. The move to the hospital in the twentieth century gave the medical profession the upper hand. Leavitt also discusses recent events in American obstetrics that illustrate how women have attempted to retrieve some of the traditionTrade Review"Certainly the most authoritative medical historical text on the subject in America at this time."--W. R. Penman, M.D. and D. I. Lansing, M.D., Obstetrics Society of Philadelphia"In this groundbreaking study...Leavitt has given the history of childbirth back to women. An elegant, sensitive, and fascinating book!"--Regina Markell Morantz-Sanchez, University of California, Los Angeles"A superb book for anyone interested in birthing, obstetrics, or even just the history of women in the United States."--Journal of the American Medical Women's Association"A strong and sensitive contribution to understanding the (supine) position of today's childbearing woman."--Newsday"An absorbing, richly-documented and well-argued explanation of how childbirth moved from the home to the hospital....[Its] broad conception, its balance, and its basic commitment to reconstituting the voices of women make it a classic in women's history writing."--The Women's Review of Books"A book for men as well as women....Clearly written and persuasively documented."--Carl N. Degler, The New Republic"In this impressive history Judith Walzer Leavitt examines centuries of childbirth experiences and analyzes how and why changes occurred....There can be no question...about the importance of this excellent study."--Isis"A significant achievement....Certain to become a model for the new medical history, and for feminist scholarship as well."--Medical Humanities Review"Like a good chocolate dessert, Brought to Bed is rich and filling."--Journal of Nurse-Midwifery"A masterful examination of the competing medical, social, and intellectual forces that shaped modern obstetric practice....A wonderful book that gives new direction to the history of women and health."--Reviews in American History"An exceptional book that broadens our understanding of the significance of childbirth in the lives of women and deepens our knowledge of how women have been active agents of change."--American Historical Review"In this impressive history Judith Walzer Leavitt examines two centuries of childbirth experiences and analyzes how and why changes occurred....There can be no question... about the importance of this excellent study."--ISIS"Brought to Bed is pleasantly readable, heavily annotated, and well organized. One closes the book wondering where the last thirty years' extreme interventionism fits into the grand scheme and what the future holds for the pregnant woman and her physician, and their mutual struggle for control of the process of labor and delivery." --Journal of the History of Medicine"This study is a major and most valuable addition to our understanding of the complex factors which have affected decision-making in obstetric care over the past two hundred years." --Medical History
£17.99
Oxford University Press Oxford Handbook of Midwifery
Book SynopsisNow in its third edition the Oxford Handbook of Midwifery continues to be the essential one-stop guide to the key principles of the care and management of pregnancy, birth and beyond. Concise yet comprehensive, with its recognisable and easy-to-use Oxford Handbook format, midwives will find this a treasure trove of clear, practical guidance. Whether you are a student needing a helping hand through the subject, or an experienced practitioner needing to refresh your knowledge in an emergency, you can be sure that this handbook will be there for you. Written by experienced midwives, and following the latest guidelines and key care protocols, this handbook is up-to-date and authoritative, with sections on sexual health, contraception, neonatal care and infant feeding. Each chapter includes assessment, diagnosis and management of care with treatment interventions. Now including new information on initiation of breast feeding with biological nurturing as well as a highlighted section on how to manage obstetric emergencies. Important psychosocial care issues are also addressed. This edition provides concise, practical and accessible information in a logical sequence, as the layout follows the woman''s journey through pregnancy, birth and early motherhood.Trade ReviewReview from previous edition This handbook is an invaluable resource for students of midwifery and for practising midwives. It reflects the continuum of midwifery care, with information from the preconception period through to that following childbirth... This book is a good source of reference. It is attractively small and can be carried around for quick reference. * Journal of Advanced Nursing *The absolute must have for midwifery training. Thank goodness for this book! * Reviewer on amazon.co.uk *This book is a pocket sized guide to midwifery practice! Thorough and covering practically every topic encountered this book is a must-have for all student midwives. Written by midwives this book offers an in depth guide to practice from a midwifery perspective... An essential, one you will want to have your own copy of. If you buy one book, make it this one! * Reviewer on amazon.co.uk *The team of contributing authors has given clear guides to essential emergencies alongside evidence-based information on a number of topics. Each part is clearly indexed for quick access, useful in a clinical environment... It is a comprehensive text for reference and as a resource of core information it will be useful to student midwives ... I believe it will aid student midwives and will be recommending it as a resource tool. * S. M. Davis, Senior Lecturer *This is a welcomed addition to the midwifery literature and a resource which is likely to become part and parcel of the midwife's "bag of tools". I commend this work to the profession and trust that it will aid midwives and other healthcare professionals in meeting the demands and challenges of health service provision in the 21st century. * Professor Paul Lewis, Academic Head of Midwifery & Child Health, Bournemouth University, UK *This is the first pocket-sized bible for midwives that encompasses everything required in caring for a mother and baby from pre conceptual to the final examination. It is just as important as the CTG machine or other obstetric tools. Although this is a must-have book for the midwifery student, it will be of benefit to all levels of midwives and clinicians. * Nursing Times *Table of Contents1: INTRODUCTION; 2: NORMAL LABOUR; 3: COMPLICATED LABOUR; 4: POSTNATAL CARE; 5: CONTRACEPTION; 6: CARE OF THE NEWBORN; 7: FEEDING
£28.49
Dorling Kindersley Ltd The Fearless Birth Journal
Book Synopsis
£11.69
Little, Brown Book Group The Happy Birth Book Your trusted AZ of pregnancy
Book Synopsis''If you''re having a baby this is a MUST READ. Get the birth you want whatever path you choose'' Davina McCall''This is an amazing book. It should be read by everybody having a baby and anyone providing care around birth'' Lesley Page, President of The Royal College of Midwives''Beverley Turner is at the forefront of a new generation leading birth into the future . . . The Happy Birth Book is a must-have for every pregnant woman and every midwife'' Professor Caroline Flint, midwife, NCT teacher and trustee, Past President of The Royal College of MidwivesPregnancy, birth and the early weeks of being a parent can be incredibly overwhelming. It''s a very special time and should be a joyful and empowering experience. Yet the conflicting advice about pregnancy, labour and parenting can leave your head spinning - and make it highly unlikely you will get the birth you want. Until now.In The Happy Birth Book, Beverley TurnerTrade ReviewIf you are having a baby, this is a MUST READ. Get the birth you want whatever path you choose * Davina McCall *This is an amazing book. It will help you understand some complicated things about giving birth, but it is also so lively and understanding with a lovely way of talking about feelings. Above all, The Happy Birth Book emphasises that you are the expert on you, reminds you that your mind and body are connected (surprisingly this is often overlooked), and encourages you to aim high for a good experience. Full of information, realistic and not sentimental, The Happy Birth Book will help you work towards a good birth. It should be read by every woman having a baby, every partner becoming parent and by whoever else is involved. It should also be read by anyone providing care around birth, including students * Lesley Page, President of The Royal College of Midwives *Beverley Turner is at the forefront of a new generation leading birth into the future. Her passion for women's well-being, her common-sense and eye for humour emanate off every page . . . It is a must-have for every pregnant woman and every midwife -- Professor Caroline Flint, Midwife, NCT Teacher and Trustee, Past President of the Royal College Of Midwives, and AuthorA practical, no nonsense approach to ensuring you are fully prepared for the greatest adventure out there! -- Bear GryllsThis is a great book. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this no-nonsense guide to giving birth and what to expect. . . . The Happy Birth Book gives great medical, psychological and social advice, which means you will be 110 per cent ready for the big day. I think every expectant parent - male and female - should be given a copy -- Dr David Bull, Medical Consultant, TV Host And Broadcaster[Turner's] new book has a friendly, upbeat tone and is chock-full of useful tips to help make your labour day a happy experience, whatever it throws at you. You go, girl * Gurgle *
£14.24
Little, Brown Book Group Hypnobirthing
Book SynopsisTHIS BOOK WILL MAKE YOUR BIRTH BETTER. IT IS FOR EVERY PARENT AND EVERY TYPE OF BIRTH.Expert hypnobirthing teacher and founder of The Positive Birth Company Siobhan Miller has made it her mission to change the way we approach and experience birth. Through her teaching she seeks to educate and empower parents - and their birth partners - so that they can enjoy amazing and positive birth experiences, however they choose to bring their babies into the world.So, what is hypnobirthing? Essentially, it''s a form of antenatal education, an approach to birth that is both evidence-based and logical. Hypnobirthing certainly doesn''t involve being hypnotised; instead, it teaches you how your body works on a muscular and hormonal level when in labour and how you can use various relaxation techniques to ensure you are working with your body (rather than against it), making birth more efficient and comfortable.Siobhan''s advice and
£15.29
Taylor & Francis Ltd (Sales) Midwifery
Book SynopsisMidwifery: The Basics provides an engaging and authentic insight into the midwifeâs world. It explores the role of the midwife as a clinician and professional, showing how midwives can support women both to achieve a healthy full-term pregnancy and a smooth transition to motherhood. This book begins with a discussion of the context of birth and parenthood, placing midwifery in its broader social context. Topics covered include: the midwife as an autonomous professional; becoming a midwife; pre-conceptual and antenatal care; intrapartum care; postnatal care; and the specialist midwife. Midwifery: The Basics uses the voices of mothers, fathers and midwives to illustrate the complex world of becoming, being and supporting parents. This is an essential introduction for students at undergraduate and A-Level who are approaching midwifery for the first time.Table of Contents1. The context of birth 2. The roles of the midwife 3. Midwifery: An evolutionary tale 4. Becoming a midwife 5. Pre-conceptual and antenatal care 6. Labour and birth care 7. Postnatal care 8. Midwife as specialist
£18.99
John Wiley & Sons Inc Pain Relief Labour
Book SynopsisCovering both the pharmacological and the more controversial non-pharmacological management of pain relief, this comprehensive text, edited by an internationally renowned specialist, provides practical guidance to all involved in this aspect of labour care.
£64.76
Health Communications Hypnobirthing The Mongan Method Revised Edition
Book Synopsis
£16.19
Mobius The 360 Mama Guide to CSection Recovery
Book SynopsisHave you recently had a c-section? Are you struggling with recovery - but want to come back stronger? Looking for advice on your scar, your pelvic floor health, or a return to exercise?The 360 Mama Guide to C-Section Recovery gives everything you need to fully heal from your c-section, answering all your questions and offering practical, expert-led advice at a time when you may feel lost or unsupported. Written by the hugely successful 360 Mama postnatal recovery team, this expert-led book leaves nothing out. From how to prepare for a c-section, to strategies you can put in place from the earliest moments to support the healing process, to guidance on wound care and scar massage, there is practical guidance for every new mama. You will find exercises to strengthen and rehabilitate your core, improve any overhang, and help you return to full physical activity. Featuring real-life birth stories and experiences, as well as advice on coping with birth trauma and managing your mental health post-birth, this empowering guide will help you to reclaim the narrative and to fully enjoy motherhood.
£15.29
Hay House Inc The Calm Birth Method Revised Edition
Book Synopsis
£15.19
Orion Publishing Co The Big Fat Activity Book for Pregnant People
Book SynopsisTHE PERFECT GIFT FOR MUMS-TO-BE WITH A SENSE OF HUMOUR.Part diary, part colouring book, and part brutally honest (and hysterically funny) collection of advice, this is for the new mother who wants to chill out, laugh her face off, and realise with every page that she is not alone.Two stars of the lifestyle and parenting blogosphere invoke the mindless fun and nostalgic appeal of an old-school activity book in this irreverent, laugh-out-loud twist on the traditional baby journal, with illustrated activities, lists, essays, and musings on what pregnancy is really like. - Wordsearches: Nope, Sorry (All the Stuff You''re Not Allowed to Have Anymore); Bad Baby Names- Mazes: Make it from Your Desk to the Bathroom Without Throwing Up- Lists: How to Baby Shop Without Crying- Advice: Yoga Teachers (Also Your Mum Friends, Your Parents, People on Facebook, All Articles, and Everyone You Meet) Want to Tell You How to Give Birth, But You Don t
£12.34
Pan Macmillan Nobody Tells You: Over 100 Honest Stories About
Book Synopsis'A truly wonderful resource for new parents and prospective parents alike.' – Adam Kay, author of This is Going to Hurt.'Refreshingly honest . . . an insightful read for all parents to be!' – Midwife Marley'A brilliant collection of parenthood truths and reassurances.' – Stacie SwiftA no-holds-barred collection of more than 100 real-life accounts of pregnancy, birth, and life with a baby, brought together with simple advice from pregnancy and postnatal expert Becca Maberly and consultant obstetrician Roger Marwood.This broad range of honest pregnancy, birth and parenting stories, from the likes of Clemmie Telford, Molly Gunn, Megan Rose Lane, Anna Mathur and many more, is accompanied by professional and reassuring advice from experts that will help you navigate your own experience with positivity and confidence.Nobody Tells You will give you all the tools you need to be informed and prepared for one of life's great journeys. Without any scaremongering or sugar coating, truths are shared about topics including:* Trying to conceive* C-Sections* Postnatal recovery* Not loving breastfeeding* Self-care * And many, many more!Inspired by her own experience and frustration at the lack of honest information, Becca Maberly, pregnancy and postnatal expert and the founder of A Mother Place, and Roger Marwood, an obstetrician and gynaecologist, compiled this collection about the highs and lows of the unique and often nerve-wracking experience of pregnancy, childbirth and beyond.Together, with the help of a range of contributors, they share their reliable, evidence-based advice with positivity and a good dose of humour. Whether you're just thinking about having a baby, you are already pregnant, or you have become a parent recently, this book is an invaluable guide.Trade ReviewA truly wonderful resource for new parents and prospective parents alike. -- Adam Kay, author of This is Going to HurtRefreshingly honest... an insightful read for all parents to be! -- Midwife MarleyA brilliant collection of parenthood truths and reassurances. Honest, relatable and straight-talking, it's a book of all the things mums need to know - and plenty of things you won't realise you really needed to hear. -- Stacie SwiftNobody Tells You… should be every new mother’s companion. I found myself nodding, giggling, thinking, remembering, tearing up and laughing as I read the golden nuggets of insight, and the stories shared... It reminded you that you are not alone in any of the experiences or feelings that come with motherhood. -- Anna Mathur, psychotherapistThe authors’ candor is refreshing . . . occasionally brutal, and always encouraging. For readers thinking about having children—or already in the midst of pregnancy—this will be a treasure. -- Publisher's Weekly
£13.49
Quarto Publishing Group USA Inc Active Birth: The New Approach to Giving Birth
Book SynopsisRecommends squatting, sitting, and kneeling postions for childbirth, explains the advantages of this approach, and demonstrates helpful stretching exercises.
£17.45
Jessica Kingsley Publishers Choices in Pregnancy and Childbirth: A Guide to
Book SynopsisThis is a comprehensive and empowering guide to facilitating a positive pregnancy and birth experience, and ensuring lasting emotional and physical health for mother and baby. Countering increasingly medicalized attitudes towards pregnancy and birth among many healthcare providers, this research-based book discusses the benefits of a more natural approach. It reveals the often undisclosed effects on a child's long-term development of accepted medical practices, such as induction, C-section, surgical interventions and pain-relief medications. It offers advice on how these practices can be avoided, for example with techniques to encourage optimal fetal positioning, by optimising the birth environment, and through drug-free pain management methods. Ultimately, it enables practitioners to support parents in informed, confident decision-making by giving a balanced account of the complex array of options available throughout pregnancy and birth. With invaluable contributions from midwives, doulas, mothers, and doctors, and tried-and-tested advice on sleep, exercise, diet and therapies, this will a very useful reference for anyone working with women and babies. The information will also be relevant to prospective and new parents.Trade ReviewI love the depth and breadth of this book, the clear honest writing and the amazing amount of wisdom offered to new parents. I can honestly say that it is the kind of book I want all parents and professionals to read, and yet there hasn't been one like it... I just love it. -- Dominique Sakoilsky, Founder of Relaxed Birth and ParentingA comprehensive and compassionate guide for parents wanting to make informed and gentle choices in pregnancy, birth, and parenting. -- Dr Sarah J. Buckley, MB, ChB, Dip Obst, author of Gentle Birth, Gentle MotheringWe should do all possible to promote this book and its profoundly important message. Our species' survival may well depend upon it. -- Joseph Chilton Pearce, author of 'Magical Child' and 'The Crack in the Cosmic Egg'Table of ContentsPreface. Disclaimer. 1. Introduction. 2. What Choices do Women Really Have? 3. Birth from the Baby's Perspective. 4. Attitudes towards Babies. 5. Awareness and Consciousness during Pregnancy. 6. Psychological Health in Pregnancy. 7. Strategies to Help Mood and Awareness. 8. Managing Sleep in Pregnancy. 9. Pregnancy Tests - the pros and cons. 10. Medication during Pregnancy. 11. Environmental Impacts on Pregnancy. 12. Helping Achieve Optimal Fetal Positioning. 13. The Secret Life of the Sphincter - Undisturbed Birth and Pelvic Floor. 14. Home Birth versus Hospital. 15. Natural Strategies for Managing Pain in Labor and Childbirth. 16. Waterbirths. 17. Spiritual Childbirth and Spiritual Midwifery. 18. Physical Imprinting at Birth. 19. Psychological Ramifications of a Difficult Birth. 20. The Downsides of Pain Relief during Labor. 21. Induction. 22. Caesareans. 23. Surgical Interventions - how to minimise their impact. 24. The Microbiome. 25. Babies after Birth. 26. The Role of Midwives. 27. Treatments for Mothers and Babies after Birth. 28. A Note on Crying and Sleep. 29. Barriers to Change. 30. Conclusions. Appendix 1. Nutrition during Pregnancy and Breastfeeding. Appendix 2. Resources and Contact Details. References. Biographies.
£25.64
Jessica Kingsley Publishers Acupressure and Acupuncture during Birth: An
Book SynopsisFor acupuncturists and birth professionals, this book explains how yin/yang and other principles of Chinese medicine can improve birth experiences as well as outcomes. Acupuncture and Chinese medicine can shift and support the physical and emotional journey of birth and provide nonpharmacologic treatment approaches for commonly occurring disorders of labor such as malposition, asynclitism, slow cervical dilatation and inadequate contractions, as well as postpartum and post C-section care.Accessible and engaging, the book includes an overview of Chinese medicine for women's health; information on what happens before, during and after birth from both a biomedical and Chinese medical perspective;and a toolkit of treatment strategies for birth work. The techniques described include acupressure, Tui Na (Chinese medical bodywork), needling, auricular acupressure and electrostimulation.Trade ReviewGiven that the world of Chinese medicine can seem a bit mystical and be quite mystifying, and the world of western medicine can be incomplete in its ability to address medical issues, Claudia Citkovitz's text is a complete breath of fresh air. Right away, before she even gets going on the actual book, she is giving useful, practical information. In the introduction she writes "I have compiled the list below of "low-hanging fruit." These are acupressure and other EAM techniques that can easily be applied in the moment, or taught to birth team members, without having to read the whole book." This is followed by a list of super easy to learn and fantastically effective techniques to improve labor. Of course, this just makes one want to read the book! -- Sharon Weizenbaum Lic. Ac., Dipl CHClaudia Citkovitz combines extensive experience in obstetric medicine with a deep knowledge of East Asian Medicine and the result is a fascinating and practical book, which offers unique insight into the physiology and psychology of labor and delivery and explains how to support all stages of the birth journey, naturally and effectively. A must read for birth professionals of all disciplines. -- Jill Blakeway DACM, L.Ac. Author of Making Babies: A Proven Three Month Program for Maximum Fertility, Sex Again: Recharge Your Libido and Energy Medicine: The Science and Mystery of Healing30 years of having the privilege of attending childbirth of thousands of women has taught me there is no one perfect way to birth a human. I am grateful we have moved back to some common sense and recognized women should be the center of this experience. When I met Dr. Claudia Citkovitz and her amazing team at Lutheran Medical Center (LMC), I was so excited and grateful LMC had the guts to allow us to offer acupuncture. We had the good fortune in the 90's to have a chair that believed in birthing rooms, childbirth classes, doulas, osteopathic manipulation and acupuncture before it became sexy and a marketing ploy for other hospitals. My patients were thrilled to have options beyond narcotics, epidurals and ambulation to assist labor progression and ultimately delivery. Every hospital CEO needs to offer acupuncture/acupressure/TCM to all patients because the traditional allopathic approach absolutely does not work in every situation and Dr. Citkovitz's textbook should illustrate just one department that can benefit. Dr. Citkovitz's treatise on acupressure and acupuncture during birth is a comprehensive and beautifully written guide. Her writing paints a picture of the patient, her progress, the path, the challenges and their possible solutions in what was for me a painless read! Her use of vignettes, case studies beautifully illustrates the development of diagnostic and treatment plans for patients - for the novice and the expert practitioner. I hope everybody reads this primer and guide - and begins to look at the body and birth through a new lens. -- Lisa Eng, DO, FACOG; founder of New Life Medical Esthetics & Wellness, PLLC and The Birthing Center of NYAn essential guide for all who support childbirth. Claudia's incredible wisdom and knowledge of yin and yang balance, acupressure, emotions and spirit provides an expansive view of how to provide comfort and increase pleasure for your clients. This book is perfect for those looking to enhance their skills for addressing challenges in labor, as well as to support ease and balance for every Mother-Baby dyad before, during and after birth. -- Debra Pascali-Bonaro, B.Ed., LCCE, PDT/BDT(DONA), Chair of the International MotherBaby Childbirth Organization and Co-chair of the International Childbirth InitiativeAs a midwife and acupuncturist that introduced Acupuncture to a busy UK obstetric unit in the 1980s, this fantastic book makes me want to go back and attend births all over again! I wish I had known some of the techniques that Dr Citkovitz shares here. Covering all angles, and nicely illustrated by case histories, it will be invaluable to all who attend births, introducing new information about what this system of medicine has to offer. I fully endorse this inspiring publication. -- Sarah Budd MBAcC, Midwife and AcupuncturistTable of Contents1. Introduction 2. A Brief Introduction to EAM: Vital Substances and Pathological Processes 3. The Events of Birth 4. Yin Birth, Yang Birth: The Five Main Birth Types and their Challenges 5. Birth Basics: Core Methods for Integrative Labor Support 6. Additional Methods for Problem-Solving in Birth 7. Differential Analysis of Prolonged Labor 8. Preparation and Practice
£31.34
Pinter & Martin Ltd. Natural Childbirth
Book SynopsisDr Grantly Dick-Read died on 11 June 1959. His teaching, however, gains a growing recognition even though others are putting their names to his theories and practices. The delivery on this recording was not in fact an 'easy' one, as the baby was not fully rotated. The record, therefore, not only justifies Dick-Read's teaching but is also a tribute to his own skill as a gynaecologist. The following sleeve notes were written a month after the recording. 'When my wife informed me that she was going to have a baby, I think my reactions were typical of most husbands. I was delighted, for we both wanted to start a family, but I was also anxious. My knowledge of childbirth was limited. I had heard that pregnancy could be 'difficult', that labour itself, if not actually dangerous, meant many hours of suffering either nobly endured or alleviated with anaesthesia. My wife, however, insisted that I read "Childbirth without Fear" by Dr Grantly Dick-Read. There I learned the simple tenets upon which his teaching is founded. The fear of childbirth can be overcome by simple instruction in the truth of natural processes. The methods by which a woman can help herself and not cause her own distress - correct breathing and relaxation for use during pregnancy and labour were explained. Simple exercises (requiring only a few minutes per day) to aid the general fitness for the birth of the baby were described. Dr Dick-Read stressed that even more important than the removal of pain is the spiritual joy the mother experiences when she sees her baby into the world, a joy, which transcends the moment of birth, and has a lasting influence on the family unity. This, as Dr Dick-Read says, is the experience, which is destroyed when the sensations of birth are removed or disturbed by interference. My wife decided that she would prepare for natural childbirth. It was at this point that as a recording executive I became involved professionally. My wife volunteered to have her labour recorded and Dr Dick-Read agreed to supervise her delivery and give a commentary as the labour proceeded. In effect, we had provided Dr Dick-Read with a test of some severity. We were not asking him to choose the best result from, say, twelve cases. The patient was not even selected by him. She was having her first baby and she was over thirty. Mrs Dick-Read began the antenatal preparation, as described in the book "Antenatal Illustrated". The voices you will hear on this record are those of Dr Dick-Read, Mrs Dick-Read, the expectant mother and, towards the end of the record, a woman doctor in general practice who assisted Dr Dick-Read. Another doctor who was present primarily as an interested observer was also skilled in the administration of pain relief should the patient have desired it. A bedroom in Dr Dick-Read's house in Petersfield had been equipped with a labour bed. Trilene and Pethedine were available; for, contrary to some reports, a strongly maintained principle of Dr Dick-Read's teaching was that the patient should not be expected to suffer any unnecessary pain or discomfort. Three microphones were used. One was placed above the bed and used to pick up conversations between doctor and patient and also the atmosphere of the ward, which was calm and peaceful throughout. At each side of the bed we placed microphones for use when either Dr or Mrs Dick-Read wished to make any comment. I personally operated the recording equipment in an adjoining room during the confinement and can categorically state that at no time did I feel that my wife was asked to bear any severe discomfort. Even when owing to the incomplete rotation of the baby's head at the outlet, and in order to prevent unnecessarily prolonging the final stage of labour, a small incision was made, my wife did not feel this and did not at any stage request anaesthetic. That she was asked to do a lot of very hard work she will be the first to admit. But the joy of the birth itself is unforgettable. During the early stages of her labour I was with her and able to help during her contractions with the back-rubbing, she found so beneficial at this stage. A swishing sound on the record during the first stage contractions is made by this back-rubbing. It is during this stage that Dr Dick-Read insisted that all patients should have company. So often the expectant mother is 'left to get on with it until the second stage is reached. During the second stage considerable background noise is caused by the movement of the bed-clothes when the patient changes her position in order to use her contractions efficiently. The recording was made on tape, edited and then transferred to a long playing record. Before we started to condense the recording of a twelve-hour labour to the length of one LP record we invited reporters to hear parts of the as yet uncut tape, including the last twenty minutes. It was pointed out to them that although a very heavy task of selection lay ahead, there was nothing which needed to be suppressed for the purpose of demonstrating natural childbirth. The editing presented two major problems. Owing to the fact that our microphones were highly sensitive in order to pick up the quietly and calmly conducted comments and discussions of the doctor, his patient and his assistants, we also picked up many unwanted and distracting noises, doors closing, sterilised tins being opened, running taps, etc. These noises have been removed wherever possible from the finished record. Condensation proved more difficult, for many of the early stage contractions were very similar, and throughout the first two stages there were long periods when the patient was lying peacefully relaxed between her contractions. All that was merely repetitious or irrelevant had to be discarded. To present a twelve-hour labour on one long playing record was clearly impossible, therefore we were faced with a further problem. If we did not include some passages of rest and relaxation, we would give an impression that the patient moved rapidly from contraction to contraction; but to allow a five-minute rest its full playing time was not possible. We have tried, therefore, to maintain the impression of the overall rhythm of labour by selection of contractions and the shortening of silences. We have not condensed individual contractions. This is important in demonstrating the breath control called for during contractions. This record, then, is an account of a twelve-hour labour leading up to the dramatic moments when the baby is born. One of the most outstanding moments on this record occurs towards the end of the first side. Using his stethoscope with a microphone placed alongside it, Dr Dick-Read searches for and listens to the heart-beat of the baby while it is still in the birth canal, one hour and a half before it is born-an exciting moment for the recording technicians and the doctors when they heard the playback for the first time. Reporting on the last twenty minutes of this recording, one of Britain's leading newspapers, the "Daily Mirror", called it: "The most moving record I have ever heard". If this record helps to abolish fear, it will help to abolish pain in labour. If it helps to spread the teachings of Dr Grantly Dick-Read, then it will have done its job. His work won its due recognition when it was acknowledged and approved by His Holiness, Pope Pius XII, who also commented upon the spiritual approach inherent in Dr Dick-Read's method, saying: "The researches of the Englishman, Dr Grantly Dick-Read, differed notably from those of the Russians (notably the followers of I.P. Pavlov) in their philosophical and metaphysical postulates which were not based, like those of the Russians, on materialistic concepts". This record should help to prepare a woman for the emotional and spiritual experience which is her right, and needs to be fought for, just as much as her right to highly skilled surgery, or pain-killing drugs. There is still some opposition to Dr Dick-Read's work, especially in his own country; there are many places where lip-service is paid to his system; but if his method is followed sincerely by those responsible for the conduct of labour, the result can be as on this record. Here, then, unscripted and unrehearsed, is a record of a natural childbirth.' H.J.U.Table of Contents1. Introduction 2. Two contractions 3. 'Now we are having these contractions every three minutes...' 4. 'Just really hard work.' 5. 'Are you there?' - 'I'm here, dear.' 6. '146 and going strong...' (baby's heartbeat) 7. 'In and out, dear.' 8. 'I really want to push.' 9. 'Am I not pushing hard enough?' 10. 'How far off do you think it is, doctor?' 11. 'Yes, it's a boy!' 12. 'So David was born...'
£11.12
Clairview Books Birth and Breastfeeding: Rediscovering the Needs
Book SynopsisHumanity, argues Michel Odent, stands at a crossroads in the history of childbirth - and the direction we choose to take will have critical consequences. Until recently a woman could not have had a baby without releasing a complex cocktail of 'love hormones'. In many societies today, most women give birth without relying on the release of such a flow of hormones. Some give birth via caesarean section, while others use drugs that not only block the release of these natural substances, but do not have their beneficial behavioural effects. 'This unprecedented situation must be considered in terms of civilization', says Odent, and gives us urgent new reasons to rediscover the basic needs of women in labour. At a time when pleas for the 'humanization' of childbirth are fashionable, the author suggests, rather, that we should first accept our 'mammalian' condition and give priority to the woman's need for privacy and to feel secure. The activity of the intellect, the use of language, and many cultural beliefs and rituals - which are all special to humans - are handicaps in the period surrounding birth. Says Odent: 'To give birth to her baby, the mother needs privacy. She needs to feel unobserved. The newborn baby needs the skin of the mother, the smell of the mother, her breast. These are all needs that we hold in common with the other mammals, but which humans have learned to neglect, to ignore or even deny.' Expectant parents, midwives, doulas, childbirth educators, those involved in public health, and all those interested in the future of humanity, will find this a provocative and visionary book.Trade Review'Just when we thought everything had already been said about birth and breastfeeding, Odent challenges us anew with a vision that is both provocative and compelling. A book you'll want to discuss even before you finish reading it.' - Marian Thompson, President Emeritus and Co-founder, La Leche League, International 'This is not just a practical guide to childbirth and breastfeeding but a philosophically wide-ranging study... It should be compulsory reading for mothers, midwives, doctors, and, not least, hospital administrators and the architects of future birthing places.' - Esther Culpin, Ex-director La Leche League, Great Britain
£10.44
Clairview Books Water, Birth and Sexuality: Our Primeval
Book Synopsis'After the historic student revolt in France a period of audacious creativity resulted. The watchword was: "It is forbidden to forbid". We took advantage of this transient cultural folly to do what would have been impossible ten years before or ten years after, introducing in the maternity unit of a state hospital an inflatable outdoor pool as a way to replace drugs during birth.' - from the Introduction In this groundbreaking book, Dr Odent takes as his starting point the world-famous work on childbirth at Pithiviers, where he first noticed the strong attraction to water that many women have during labour. As well as discovering the practical advantages of water during the birthing process, he began to consider the meaning and importance of water as a symbol. Water, Birth and Sexuality examines the living power of water and its erotic connotations. Odent evaluates what water meant in different cultures throughout history, through myths and legends, and what it means for us today: from an advertiser's tool to a metaphor for aspects of the psyche. He also studies humanity's special relationship to dolphins, and the related 'aquatic ape' theory.A practical section on the use of water during birth and in various therapies, particularly sex therapy, is included. This edition of this classic work features a new Introduction.
£10.44
Universities Press The Management of Labour
Book Synopsis
£56.70
