The Essential Homebirth Guide: For Families Planning or Considering Birthing at Home - Softcover

Drichta, Jane E.; Owen, Jodilyn; Northrup, Dr. Christianne

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1451668627 ISBN 13: 9781451668629

Publisher: Gallery Books, 2013

Synopsis

Two midwives present the What to Expect When You're Expecting for homebirths—with a foreword by Dr. Christiane Northrup.

Birthing is a miraculous time when you and your baby will work together to bring about life. As you finally cradle your precious newborn in your arms, you should know deep in your soul that every decision that brought the two of you to this special moment was yours.

More families than ever are choosing to birth at home. Midwives Jane E. Drichta and Jodilyn Owen answer questions about the kind of care, support, and information you need as you investigate whether this option is right for you. Birth can be an empowering and positive experience, and this book provides gentle guidance, with high regard for your wisdom and ability to successfully navigate your prenatal care, birth, and early mothering.

Enriched with real birth stories from new mothers, The Essential Homebirth Guide offers thoughtful, compassionate advice on a wealth of birthing topics, including:

- Building a supportive homebirth community.
- Caring for yourself and your baby from your pregnancy through the postpartum period.
- Communicating about your birthing plans with your midwife, your partner, and your family and friends.
- Deciding whether homebirth is safe for you.
- Educating yourself about common pregnancy-related issues.
- Preparing your home and your family for the big day.

About this title

About the Author

Jane E. Drichta, together with Jodilyn Owen, has attended a combined total of more than one thousand births in more than eleven years as a doula, midwife, and birth educator. Based in Seattle, she is a passionate birth advocate and educator both internationally and in the United States. Her writing has appeared in a number of publications, including the trade journals Midwifery Today and Squat, as well as numerous non-birth related publications.

Jodilyn Owen, together with Jane E. Drichta, has attended a combined total of more than one thousand births in more than eleven years as a doula, midwife, and birth educator. Based in Seattle, she is a passionate birth advocate and educator both internationally and in the United States. Her writing has appeared in a number of publications, including the trade journals Midwifery Today and Squat, as well as numerous non-birth related publications.

Reviews

A foreword by Christiane Northrup, the influential ob/gyn and best-selling author of Women’s Bodies, Women’s Wisdom (2010), ensures that this is no quacky guide to home birth. At a time when C-sections make up an estimated 30 to 50 percent of U.S. births, this book by two midwives and nurse educators puts the power back into mothers’ hands. And it offers guidance to all pregnant women, not only those who plan to deliver at home. Drichta and Owen talk about prenatal nutrition (nix the sugar and processed foods) and urge pregnant women to simply enjoy themselves. They note that, contrary to popular belief, women who miscarry are not at increased risk of miscarrying again unless they experience three sequential miscarriages. They recommend making a birth kit, including flexible straws (easier to drink from during labor), a heating pad, and lots and lot of towels. Taking to heart the idea that a picture is worth a thousand words, they tuck in photos of women giving birth at home. Their calm, commonsense advice should make all pregnant women feel comforted and well prepared. --Karen Springen

Edition details

• Publisher: Gallery Books
• Publication date: 2013
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1451668627
• ISBN 13: 9781451668629
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 400