The National Childbirth Trust believes that with appropriate support and care, the vast majority of women can give birth to their babies in the normal, natural way. This guide is intended to help you through your pregnancy and the first three months with your baby, covering all aspects - from finding out you're pregnant and choosing the most appropriate antenatal care, through choosing where to have your baby and the first days at home. Written by a team of experts from the National Childbirth Trust, the book contains lots of cross-references to other sections of the book; cites research in handy reference boxes; and features case histories giving real women's personal experiences.

Table of Contents

Part 1 Understanding your body and the birth process: introduction; woman's body up to pregnancy; baby development from conception to full term (includes twins and OFP); role of hormones before pregnancy, during, and up to going into labour; the physiology of the birth process (includes breech and twin births); positions for labour; role of hormones and what happens after birth; role of hormones in breastfeeding/the mother-infant dyad. Part 2 Making sure you get the birth environment you need: introduction: the role of the midwife; 56-59 other birth supporters; giving birth at home; pain relief; water birth at home; birth centre or midwifery unit; choosing an independent midwife; 'natural' birth in hospital; electronic fetal monitoring; accelerating labour; epidural anaesthesia; instrumental delivery caesarean section. Part 3 Self-care during pregnancy: introduction; your body's changes; antenatal tests; lifestyle changes; relationship changes; nutritional needs; pregnancy sickness; early discomforts; weight gain and exercise; optimal fetal positioning; travel; antenatal classes; minor ailments; medical emergencies; getting ready; going overdue - avoiding induction. Part 4 The Birth introduction: recognising first stage labour; late first stage labour; non-pharmocological pain relief options; second stage labour; third stage managed and physiological; debriefing the birth; birth stories (include caesareans, instrumental deliveries, twins, breech etc). Part 5 Babymoon: introduction; your body after birth; daily checks, blood loss, perineum, stitches, breasts; your body after a caesarean; fluids, catheter, wound care, pain relief, getting mobile; feelings after birth; good & bad reactions to the overwhelming experience of birth; 'baby blues'; your new baby; cord, fontanelle, skin, breathing, jaundice, hypoglycaemia; baby health checks - a baby with problems; what a new mother needs; support, care, love, keeping visitors under control; practicalities of the early days; what a new baby needs; food, love, sleep, care - birth from the baby's point of view; state management; breastfeeding - includes expressing; latching on guide and possible problems and solutions; how to express milk bottle feeding; detailed info about preparing bottles; sleeping/crying baby; baby calming in the early days; complementary therapies; where to sleep; organising your day (inc. PND); becoming a parent; settling down; sorting out priorities; working through this major change; meeting other mums for support and info; postnatal exercises (more about PND); pelvic floor exercises; strengthening your back; walking with a buggy outdoors; sex; baby massage; massage is good for both mother & baby - detailed 'how to do it' guide.