The majority of men and women in the world have given birth or supported their partners through that beautiful and terrifying experience. Giving birth is a time when one's best dreams and ideas--and worst fears and nightmares--coalesce into a single moment of anticipation. Out of such moments come stories that reach into the deepest place of what it means to be human, what it means to be a spiritual being, what it means to love and be loved. Labor Pains and Birth Stories is a collection of stories written by ordinary men and women about the transformation, joy, hilarity and pain of childbirth.
This book is a positive and encouraging guide to everything and expectant mother can do - from pregnancy through postpartum, but especially during labor- to make sure that pain does not over shadow the joy of giving birth. Adrienne Lieberman presents a host of techniques that work, including breathing and relaxation excerises.
THE FIRST COMPLETE, COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE TO PAIN RELIEF DURING LABOR AND DELIVERY Far too many expectant mothers find themselves unprepared when labor begins and natural techniques don’t effectively manage the pain. This indispensable guide provides reassuring, proven approaches to combining medical and natural techniques to ensure the most comfortable pain-free labor possible. In Easy Labor, you’ll discover • what to expect during labor, and key factors that affect your comfort • the facts on epidurals, safety concerns, and how effectively they reduce pain • the pros and cons of pain-relief medications • complementary and alternative methods, including water immersion, acupuncture, hypnosis, massage, and birth balls • how your choice of hospital or birth center affects your pain-management options • techniques to calm and eliminate the specific fears and stresses associated with childbirth So relax and enjoy your pregnancy, with this important book by your side!
"An anthology that will explore the birth experience from a wide-ranging group of esteemed writers (including Julia Glass, Lauren Groff, Sarah Shun-Lien Bynum, and others), with all the force, frankness, humor, and honesty that the best personal writing has to offer"--
Jane Dwinell has written an important book using real-life scenarios to illustrate her unique philosophy of childbirth, one that can only inspire women to take greater control over how and where they give birth. From her vantage point as a birth attendant, Dwinell recounts the moving birth experiences of twenty different women. Thus the reader learns that there are no right or wrong ways to give birth. In fact, the author shows how satisfying it can be for women to exercise their own strength, power and choice in the birth process instead of yielding to unnecessary technological and medical interventions. Birth, she says, is a process of wellness, not illness. Hence, most women don't need medication to help them deal with normal birth pains if they have the proper empowering support during labor. When women give birth in a comfortable setting of their choice, the medical wrongs against them, committed in hospitals in the name of safety and technology, are prevented. In the face of opposition from an entrenched segment of the medical establishment, Dwinell dares the view that hospital care should not be routine but should be given only with good reason and the women's permission. For pregnant women and their partners, Birth Stories makes a convincing argument that under normal circumstances wach women's intuitive knowledge and individual resources can help her to labor and deliver successfully in her own way. Nurses, midwives, doctors, and birth educators will find it useful to realize that there are many ways to give birth . . . that it is important for the family to be together and make their own choices . . . and that pregnant women can have safe births without excessive medical intervention. This book can also serve as a guide for professionals who want to develop this type of birthing model within their own institution.
"[An] engrossing survey of the history of childbirth." —Stephen Lowman, Washington Post Making and having babies—what it takes to get pregnant, stay pregnant, and deliver—have mystified women and men throughout human history. The insatiably curious Randi Hutter Epstein journeys through history, fads, and fables, and to the fringe of science. Here is an entertaining must-read—an enlightening celebration of human life.
A REESE'S BOOK CLUB PICK * INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER * BELLETRIST BOOK CLUB PICK * INDIE NEXT SELECTION * LIBRARY READS SELECTION * AMAZON EDITORS' CHOICE * WASHINGTON POST BEST OF THE YEAR The "terrifying, wise, tender, and thrilling" (R.O. Kwon) adventure story of a fugitive girl, a mysterious gang of robbers, and their dangerous mission to transform the Wild West. In the year of our Lord 1894, I became an outlaw. The day of her wedding, 17 year old Ada's life looks good; she loves her husband, and she loves working as an apprentice to her mother, a respected midwife. But after a year of marriage and no pregnancy, in a town where barren women are routinely hanged as witches, her survival depends on leaving behind everything she knows. She joins up with the notorious Hole in the Wall Gang, a band of outlaws led by a preacher-turned-robber known to all as the Kid. Charismatic, grandiose, and mercurial, the Kid is determined to create a safe haven for outcast women. But to make this dream a reality, the Gang hatches a treacherous plan that may get them all killed. And Ada must decide whether she's willing to risk her life for the possibility of a new kind of future for them all. Featuring an irresistibly no-nonsense, courageous, and determined heroine, Outlawed dusts off the myth of the old West and reignites the glimmering promise of the frontier with an entirely new set of feminist stakes. Anna North has crafted a pulse-racing, page-turning saga about the search for hope in the wake of death, and for truth in a climate of small-mindedness and fear.
Inspiring Stories for Moms-to-Be | Real moms share their intimate birth stories Share in the beauty and wonder of the birth experience with this touching collection of true stories from 60 real moms, describing in their own words how their newborns came into the world. Their intimate recollections capture the remarkable range of birth experiences and remind us of the extraordinary bond that forms from this moment on. A great shower gift or self-purchase for expectant mothers that shares the amazing childbirth experience. Beautifully packaged to reflect the warmth, wonder, and mystery of the childbirth experience, The Day My Baby Was Born presents true stories from a wide variety of women about the different ways their child came into the world and the incredible bond this moment forms among all mothers.The Day My Baby Was Born gives moms-to-be a full sense of what to expect, through real stories from real people - the voices of friends, sisters, neighbors, and others sharing their own thoughts on the incredible moment. Featuring these stories: Birthing Iris: a slight deviation from the plan (Meredith Davis) Longer second labor, drug free (Laura Hubacek) Easy pregnancy and easy labor (Missy Bowen) My second baby was more difficult than my first (Allison McGee) Baby born on due date (Ally Channing) First baby born at home (Nancy Hatcher) The birth of my baby Carson (Brenda Allen) Our big surprise! (Trina Hollander) Jakson's birth story (Cristina Ramirez) Fast labor (Sara Hankes) Hurry up, Doc! (Harmony T) Extremely easy first delivery (Paige Nelson) My second birth just as wonderful as the first (Rachel R) A different water birth than expected (Erika Ginsberg-Klemmt) The birth of my angel Kylee Faith (Stephanie Wiseman) Thirty-two-week preemie after bed rest (Marsha Hammond) Too easy to be a first (Toni Williams) C-section wasn't as bad as I expected (Vickie Freeman) A not-so-scary birth story (Rebecca K) Miss Ashely's arrival (Carrie Herbst) Fast and furious first baby (Beth Johanson) My angel Madison (Candice Pesotini) Third time's the charm (Ann Larson) No progress results in Cesarean (Michelle Schroeder) My baby boy...easy birth and easy baby (Hope Lehmann) Jade's birth story (Sara A) Water birth was perfect (Kim Goodspeed) Pregnancy-induced hypertension with first (Shelly Evans) Baby Bre's story (Jennine Mustard) Intense back labor with no epidural (Katherine Harris) Difficult pregnancy but completely worth it (Anneli Nilsson) First baby born at thirty-six weeks, but so easy! (Lynda Lipske) That can't be right! (Kathy Colbern) Twin girls and a bonus (Liz Adams) Four weeks early and long labor (Brenda Erickson) I did it my way but almost didn't makee it (Melissa W) Baby girl born early (Stephanie Williamson) Quick for a first-time mom (Ilona Pope) Suzaan, our mircle (Martie van Biljon) My sweet (big) baby girl (Allie McDonaldson) Great expectations run amok (Rachel Karlsen) Sunny-side up, baby Braxton (Autumn Fagan) Easy as 1-2-3 (Emily O'Reilly) The longest labor but well worth it (Cara Martin) My drug-free birth (Sheldene Wade) Come on, baby! (Lindsay A.E.) Fintan's birth story (Jessica Aldridge) Seven days late with 7 pound, 7 ounce girl (Lisa Patterson) Speedy first labor and delivery (Robyn Cassidy) Eyes wide open (Erika Starman) Seven-hour labor, one week late and all natural (Darlene Fulton) Overdue water birth at home (Kerri Connell) Long labor but easy delivery (Bonnie Wenzel) An unexpected delivery at home (Kris Krynicki) I loved my fast and easy delivery with Pitocin (Allison McGreger) Night of the full moon (Aimee Wimbush-Bourque) Lamaze teacher gives birth (Christine Hughes) The grand entrance of the second man in my life (Jennie C)
In his breakthrough book, Jones introduces a new, highly effective method of childbirth preparation using mental imagery. He shows expectant parents how to prevent the pain and fear associated with childbirth.
