The Birth Book Everything You Need to Know to

In The Birth Book: Everything You Need to Know to Have a Safe and Satisfying Birth, William and Martha Sears, authors of The Baby Book and creators of the concept of "attachment parenting," here turn their attention to the birth experience. In this helpful resource guide, the Searses cover the gamut of possibilities, and teach readers what they need to know to take control of their own birthings. The Birth Book is divided into three parts: "Preparing for Birth," "Easing Pain in Labor," and "Experiencing Birth." You'll find details about vaginal births; cesareans; VBACs; water births; home births; best birthing positions; drugs; pain; how to design your own birth plan; the humor, chemistry, and sexuality of birth; and pages and pages of birth stories.

William Sears, M.D., is the author of more than 30 books, including Dr. Sears' L.E.A.N. Kids, which he wrote with Sean Foy.

A Word from Dr. Bill and Martha	p. xi
Preparing for Birth	p. 1
Our Birth Experiences--What We Have Learned	p. 3
Our Eight Births: Martha's Story	p. 3
Ten Tips for a Safe and Satisfying Birth	p. 10
Birth--Then and Now	p. 15
Birth Before 1900: Home, Sweet Home	p. 15
Birthing Practices 1900-1950: Birth the American Way	p. 18
Birthing Practices 1950-1990: Women on Top	p. 22
The 1990s and Beyond: What's Ahead	p. 25
What You Can Do	p. 27
Choices in Childbirth	p. 28
Working Out a Birthing Philosophy	p. 28
Choosing Your Birth Team	p. 30
Choosing a Birth Place	p. 38
Choosing a Childbirth Class	p. 50
Getting Your Body Ready for Birth	p. 59
Assuming the Right Pregnancy Posture	p. 59
Good Body Mechanics	p. 60
Best Birth Exercises	p. 62
Eating Right--For Two	p. 69
Tests, Technology, and Other Interventions That Happen on the Way to Birth	p. 75
Electronic Fetal Monitoring (EFM)	p. 76
Ultrasound	p. 80
Pitocin (Oxytocin)	p. 84
Active Management of Labor (AML)	p. 86
Episiotomy	p. 88
Screening Tests for Birth Defects	p. 94
Cesarean Births	p. 102
Why So Many Cesareans?	p. 102
What Happens in a Surgical Birth?	p. 104
When Cesareans Are Necessary	p. 108
Ten Ways to Avoid a Cesarean	p. 109
Must Breech Babies Be Delivered Surgically?	p. 113
VBAC--Yes, You Can! (Vaginal Birth After Cesarean)	p. 117
Why the Worry?	p. 117
What Are Your Chances?	p. 118
Different Births--Different Feelings	p. 123
Easing Pain in Labor--What You Can Do	p. 127
Why Birth Hurts--Why It Doesn't Have To	p. 129
Why Birth Can Hurt	p. 130
Understanding Pain Management	p. 132
Fear--Labor's Foe	p. 134
Strategies for a More Comfortable Labor	p. 137
Relaxing for Birth	p. 141
How Relaxation Helps Your Labor	p. 141
Releasing Exercises	p. 143
Using Your Imagination	p. 146
A Potpourri of Relaxation and Comfort Tips	p. 150
Water for Birth	p. 152
Touches for Birth	p. 157
Breathing for Birth	p. 160
Easing Birth Pains--How the Doctor Can Help	p. 166
The Trade-off	p. 166
Narcotic Pain Relievers	p. 167
Epidural Anesthesia	p. 170
Questions You May Have About Epidurals	p. 172
Experiencing Birth	p. 183
Best Birthing Positions	p. 185
Why Birthing Positions Make a Difference	p. 185
Finding Your Best Birthing Position	p. 187
Labor and Delivery	p. 195
Prelabor Signs	p. 195
If Your Labor Drags	p. 202
If Your Labor Stalls	p. 204
What to Do When Your Water Breaks	p. 206
What to Do When You're Overdue	p. 208
Labor Begins	p. 210
The Second Stage of Labor	p. 219
The Third Stage of Labor	p. 225
Composing Your Birth Plan	p. 231
Why Make a Plan?	p. 231
A Sample Birth Plan	p. 234
Sample Birth Plan in Case a Cesarean Becomes Necessary	p. 236
Birth Stories	p. 237
Queen for a Month	p. 258
References and Additional Reading	p. 260
Index	p. 263
Table of Contents provided by Syndetics. All Rights Reserved.

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The Birth Book Everything You Need to Know to Have a Safe and Satisfying Birth

Summary

Author Biography

Table of Contents

Supplemental Materials