Birth Plans for Dummies

Summary

The easy, trusted way to develop a birth plan As an expectant mother and parent, navigating all of the information and options for labor and delivery can be cumbersome and confusing. Birth Plans For Dummies, is the ultimate resource guide to help you understand, develop, and implement a plan for the birth of your baby. A birth plan is a communication tool for expectant mothers and those involved in the delivery of a child. The plan explains the mother's preferences for labor and delivery and eliminates any confusion. There are a wide variety of methods, strategies, and techniques available to pregnant women preparing for delivery-and this hands-on, friendly guide covers them all. Covers choosing the setting and method that best fits the mothers needs and wishes Informs expectant parents about the numerous pain management and labor intervention options Provides instruction on developing and writing a birth plan and putting it into action If you are an expectant mother or parent looking for a guide to help develop a plan for the birth of your child, then Birth Plans For Dummies is the perfect book for you.

Author Biography

Rachel Gurevich is the author of The Doula Advantage and The FabJob Guide to Become a Doula, both considered required reading for doula training programs around the world. Sharon Perkins, RN, coauthor of Infertility For Dummies, has more than two decades of experience in maternal/child health.

Introduction 1

Part I: Labor and Birth-Plan Basics 5

Chapter 1: Creating a Birth Plan: What It’s All About 7

Chapter 2: The Ins and Outs of Labor and Delivery 17

Part II: Choosing Your Birth Team, Birth Place, and Guests 39

Chapter 3: OB-GYN, Family Practitioners, Midwives, Oh My! 41

Chapter 4: Leaving Home for a Hospital or Birth Center 53

Chapter 5: Home Sweet Home Birth 65

Chapter 6: Including Family and Friends in Your Birth Plan 79

Part III: Planning Childbirth Options for a Normal Birth 89

Chapter 7: Getting an Education 91

Chapter 8: Natural Methods for Soothing Your Mind and Body 103

Chapter 9: Movement and Positions for Labor and Birth 127

Chapter 10: Nourishing Your Laboring Body 151

Part IV: Knowing Your Options for Interventions and Medications 161

Chapter 11: Ouch! It Hurts! Medications for Pain 163

Chapter 12: Tuning In: Monitoring Labor and the Baby 177

Chapter 13: Helping the Baby Out: Interventions for Vaginal Birth 189

Chapter 14: Cesarean Section: Yes, You Have Options 205

Part V: It’s All About the Baby 225

Chapter 15: Welcoming Your Baby to the World 227

Chapter 16: Making Decisions about Shots, Drops, Snips, and Newborn Tests 239

Chapter 17: Nourishing Your Baby 247

Part VI: Putting Your Plan in Writing and into Action 265

Chapter 18: Writing Your Birth Plan 267

Chapter 19: Advocating for Your Plan and Working with Your Team 287

Chapter 20: Allowing for Flexibility in Your Birth Plan and Recovery 299

Part VII: The Part of Tens 313

Chapter 21: Ten Tips for Creating a Workable Birth Plan 315

Chapter 22: Ten Ways to Preserve Birth Memories 319

Index 323

Supplemental Materials

What is included with this book?

The New copy of this book will include any supplemental materials advertised. Please check the title of the book to determine if it should include any access cards, study guides, lab manuals, CDs, etc.

The Used, Rental and eBook copies of this book are not guaranteed to include any supplemental materials. Typically, only the book itself is included. This is true even if the title states it includes any access cards, study guides, lab manuals, CDs, etc.