Lindsey Bliss, who has assisted as a doula at hundreds of births and is herself a mother of seven, reveals here all the wisdom and advice that the doulas, also known as childbirth coaches, share with the new mothers who hire them. This book covers the period from pregnancy, through birth, to fourth trimester healing, and the beginnings of family life. The focus, however, is on preparing for birth--including topics like how to pick the right childbirth class and the right birthing method. Youll also see how to assemble the team of professionals, family members, and friends who will support you through labor and birth. Bliss also covers labor and birth, as well as the 11th hour decisions about pain medications and cesarean sections. Blisss tone throughout is at once authoritative and confident as well as warm and encouraging. Her concern in her practice as well as in these pages is to listen to and help secure each new moms own personal vision of a birthing experience that is safe, fulfilling, and meaningful.

Author Biography

Lindsey Bliss is a widely respected doula, or childbirth coach, who is quoted frequently in New York and national media. She is a co-founder of the doula agency Carriage House Birth, which has assisted in more than 1100 births in New York and Los Angeles since 2011. Herself the mother of seven children, including two sets of twins, she knows labor and childbirth well both personally as well as professionally. She lives in New York City.