Freebirth - Self-Directed Pregnancy and Birth

ISBN-13: 9783902943866 / Angielski / Miękka / 2015 / 246 str.

Sarah Schmid

Opis

Having a baby, just like that? Without hospital, midwife or instructions to push? Babies are sometimes born before the midwife can get there and when that happens, everyone involved is usually happy everything went well despite the lack of professionals. But how does it work for women who consciously decide to have a so-called 'freebirth' and decline antenatal care as well as conventional monitoring by birth professionals? Sarah Schmid explains how to make self-directed birth a joyous experience. She also answers important questions around taking responsibility for your own pregnancy and birth, such as: How can I improve my health during pregnancy? How can I determine the baby's position myself and optimise it? Is it possible to know if my baby is well without listening to the heartbeat? What can I do if my labour does not progress? What do I do if the cord is around the baby's neck? What should I do if there is meconium in the amniotic fluid? Freebirth after caesarean birth or with a breech baby - is it possible? Can I give birth by myself even if the pregnancy ends too soon? In 'Freebirth' Sarah Schmid provides a healthy dose of basic medical knowledge and dispels scary myths about birth. This also makes 'Freebirth' valuable for those women planning to birth their babies in a conventional setting, as well as for birth professionals. Also in this book: Numerous illustrations personal stories by over 30 mothers about planned and unplanned freebirths, including photos helpful tips for the early days with a newborn * 'Trust your feelings and ask 1000 questions when it comes to the birth of your baby. Good births are not easy to find, only the best is good enough for you ' (Caroline, 37, freebirth after previous caesarean section) 'Birth means becoming a woman and discovering the roaring lioness within yourself.' (Beatrice, 36, two freebirths) 'Birth is part of life and it is not something that requires surveillance.' (Sarah, 32, three fre"

Spis treści

Introduction 9In the beginning. 10My journey to freebirth 11What to expect from this book 18About responsibility, fear and safety 19Responsibility and other people's fear 20Dealing with your own fears 21The question of safety 23Nutrition as key for healthy pregnancy and birth 29The recipe for success from ancient civilisations 30Rule 1: Sugar: very little and natural 30Rule 2: Carefully prepared grains 30Rule 3: The whole animal is edible 31Rule 4: Fat is best 31Rule 5: Dirt is not the enemy 32Rule 6: Sauerkraut as medicine 33Rule 7: Daily consumption of raw milk 33Rule 8: Particular foods that prepare for pregnancy 33Important vitamins and minerals for pregnancy and breastfeeding 34Calcium and Vitamin D 34Magnesium 34Iron 34Zinc 35Vitamin B6 35Vitamin B12 35Folic Acid 35Practical Pregnancy 37Pregnant? 38What happens in the weeks of pregnancy? 38About moods and sensitivities 39The best care 39Finding a good midwife 40Doula, friend, partner - different considerations about your birth partner 42When you need an obstetrician 42What do your notes actually mean? 43The estimated date of birth (EDB/EDD) 43Your history, general test results and pregnancy specific test results 43Screening for sexually transmitted infections - syphilis, HIV, hepatitis B, chlamydia 44Screening for gestational diabetes - Glucose Tolerance Test, urinalysis 44Rubella Titre 45Screening for pre-eclampsia - urinalysis, blood pressure, weight 45Haemoglobin (iron) levels 46Determining your blood group and rhesus factor 46Screening for chromosomal abnormalities, hereditary diseases and malformations 48Group B Streptococcus 48Urinalysis for leukocytes and red blood cells 49Fetal position and presentation, fundus, heartbeat and other pregnancy checks 49Ultrasound 51Possible models of care 53Common pregnancy ailments 53Nausea 53Sciatica 54Varicose veins 54The symphysis and other joints 55Stretch marks 56Constipation 56Muscle cramps 56Dental caries 57Self-directed Pregnancy 57What position is the baby in? 57Breech presentation 61Transverse and oblique lie 63Other ways to determine the baby's position 63Where is the placenta? 65Is the baby well? 66Freebirth for a first baby? 66Is it twins? 67Bleeding 68When pregnancy ends too soon 69Preparation for birth 70What do I need for a self-directed birth? 70Perineal massage? 71Traumatic and unpleasant previous birth experiences 72Practice run in your mind 72Practical Birth 75To start with: good and bad births? 76A completely physiological birth 77First stage of labour 78Transition 79Second stage of labour 79Third stage of labour 80'Rest and be thankful' phase 80Birth on land 80Birth in water 82What if. 82. I am overdue? 82. the baby is big? 84. my waters break but contractions don't start immediately? 84. I go into labour too soon? 85. contractions are painful but labour does not progress? 85. there is a cord prolapse? 87. I have an anterior lip of cervix, like I did during a previous birth? 88. there is fetal distress and I don't notice? 89. there is meconium? 89. the shoulders get stuck? 90. the cord is around baby's neck? 90. the baby doesn't breathe? 91. the baby inhales some of the amniotic fluid? 92. the placenta takes a long time to come out? 92. I bleed heavily after the birth? 94Birth and pain 98Protecting the perineum, episiotomy and perineal tears 99Cutting the cord - how, when and what with? 101Checking the placenta 104Freebirth under difficult circumstances 105When you don't have any support 105Freebirth and breech presentation 106Freebirth after caesarean section 108If you have to go to hospital 110Plan B - Emergency Birth Plan 112The legal side 113The chapter for men, by men 115Our journey to freebirth, together 116'I could not manage to get rid of my fears.' 117When the midwife makes a mistake - an interview 120The baby is born 123The first hour with your newborn 124Breastfeeding and the family

O autorze

Sarah Schmid ist Ärztin, Autorin und sechsfache Mutter. Mit Sachkenntnis und Sympathie entmystifiziert sie Schwangerschaft und Geburt. Ihr Buch "Alleingeburt" gibt Sicherheit durch Wissen und schafft stabiles Vertrauen in den eigenen Körper.