The birth partner : everything you need to know to help a woman through childbirth

Cover
Title
Dedication
Copyright
Contents
Preface
Acknowledgments
How to use this Book
A Note to Doulas
PART ONE Before the Birth
	1. The Last Weeks of Pregnancy
		What Kind of Birth Partner Will You Be
		Getting Ready for Labor
		Preparing for Life with the Baby
		On to the Next Step . .
PART TWO Labor and Birth
	2. Getting into Labor
		The Difference Between Prelabor and Labor
		How Long Will Labor Last?
		Signs of Labor
		If the Bag of Waters Breaks Before Labor Begins
		“False” Labor, or Prelabor
		Labor Progresses in Six Ways
		Timing Contractions
	3. Moving Through the Stages of Labor
		Compare Labor to Running a Marathon
		Prelabor
		The Dilation, First, Stage
		Early Labor
		Getting into Active Labor (3 to 5 Centimeters Dilation)
		Active Labor
		Transition
		The Birthing, Second, Stage
		The Resting Phase
		The Descent Phase
		The Crowning and Birth Phase
		The Placental, Third, Stage
		The Recovery and Bonding, Fourth, Stage
		Normal Labor—in a Nutshell
	4. Comfort Measures for Labor
		Pain versus Suffering
		The Three Rs: Relaxation, Rhythm, and Ritual
		Self-Help Comfort Measures
		Comfort Aids and Devices
		Comforting Techniques
		Taking Care of Yourself
		Checklist of Comfort Measures for Labor
	5. Strategies for Challenging Variations in Normal Labor
		The Take-Charge Routine
		On-the-Spot Coaching (When You Have Had No Childbirth Classes)
		The Very Rapid Labor
		The Emergency Delivery
		When Labor Must Start (Labor-Stimulating Measures)
		The Slow-to-Start Labor
		Slow Progress in Active Labor and the Birthing Stage— with or without Back Pain
		When the Birthing Person Must Labor in Bed
		A Breech Baby
		A Previous Disappointing or Traumatic Birth Experience
		Incompatibility with the Nurse or Caregiver
PART THREE The Medical Side of Childbirth
	Key Questions for Informed Decision-Making
	6. Tests, Technologies, Interventions, and Procedures
		Late-Pregnancy Tests
		Essential Observations During Labor
		Conditions Influencing the Use of Intervention During Labor
		Common Obstetric Interventions
	7. Complications in Late Pregnancy, Labor, or Afterward
		Complications for the Pregnant Person
		Complications with Labor Progress
		Complications with the Fetus
		Complications in the Placental Stage
		Complications with the Newborn
		After It Is All Over
	8. Medications for Pain During Labor
		Management of Normal Labor without Pain Medications
		What You Both Need to Know About Pain Medications
		Know How the Birthing Person Feels About Using Pain Medications
	9. Cesarean Birth and Vaginal Birth After Cesarean
		Know the Nonmedical Reasons for Cesarean Birth and Factors to Consider
		Know the Medical Reasons for Cesarean Birth
		Know What to Expect During Cesarean Birth
		Your Role During and After a Cesarean Birth
		Vaginal Birth After Cesarean (VBAC) and Trial of Labor after Cesarean (TOLAC)
PART FOUR After the Birth
	10. The First Days Postpartum
		The First Few Hours
		The First Few Days for the Baby
		The First Few Days for the Birthing Parent
		Homecoming
		After a Home Birth
		Getting Help and Advice
		Postpartum Emotions
		What About Your Feelings
		Practical Matters at Home
	11. Getting Started with Feeding Your Baby
		Reasons for Breast-Feeding/Chest-Feeding
		Getting Off to a Good Start
		How to Offer Support Related to Infant Feeding Early Concerns
		When to Give the Baby a Bottle
		Once Breast-Feeding/Chest-Feeding Is Established
Parting Words
Recommended Resources
Index
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