Natural childbirth means different things to different people, but to most it means that no pain medications are used during the delivery. For some women, a natural childbirth means that the mother experiences labor without a doctor or medical assistance other than a midwife or doula. For others, medical assistance short of pain medications (for example, giving oxytocin or IV fluids or using a fetal monitor) is close enough to be considered natural. In The Complete Idiot's Guide® to Natural Childbirth, midwife Jenny West helps women decide how far they want to go, what birthing methods are available and which are best for them, and who they want to assist in the delivery of their baby. A natural childbirth, by any definition, requires careful preparation and thoughtful planning so that women and their support team are ready when the baby is! The book helps women:
- Weigh the risks and rewards of natural birthing.
- Discover the ways you and your team will master the inevitable pain of childbirth.
- Prepare mentally and physically for as easy a delivery as possible.
- Make important decisions - doctor or midwife? Hospital, birthing center, or home birth? Lamaze or Bradley, water birth or hypno? Doula or birthing partner?
- Plan ahead for all eventualities on the day of the delivery.
- Lay the groundwork for a successful natural postpartum experience, including breastfeeding.
