Giving Birth With Confidence

Synopsis

For a Safe and Healthy Birth… Your Way! Giving Birth with Confidence will help take the mystery out of having a baby and help you better understand how your body works during pregnancy and childbirth, giving you the confidence to make decisions that best ensure the safety and health of you and your baby.

Giving Birth with Confidence is the first and only pregnancy and childbirth guide written by Lamaze International, the leading childbirth education organization in North America. Written with a respectful, positive tone, this book presents:

 Information to help you choose your maternity care provider and place of birth

 Practical strategies to help you work effectively with your care provider

 Information on how pregnancy and birth progress naturally

 Steps you can take to alleviate fear and manage pain during labor

 The best available medical evidence to help you make informed decisions




Previously titled The Official Lamaze Guide, this 3rd edition has updated information on:

 How vaginal birth, keeping mother and baby together, and breastfeeding help to build the baby's microbiome.

 How hormones naturally start and regulate labor and release endorphins to help alleviate pain.

 Maternity-care practices that can disrupt the body's normal functioning.

 The latest recommendations on lifestyle issues like alcohol, vitamins, and caffeine.

 Room sharing and cosleeping: the controversy, recommendations, and safety guidelines.

 Out-of-hospital births are on the rise: New research and advice on planned home birth, including ACOG's revised guidelines, which support women's choices and promote seamless transfer to hospital, if needed.

 The importance of avoiding unnecessary caesareans for mother and child. Includes the new ACOG guidelines on inductions and active labor.

 The research in support of the Lamaze International's "Six Healthy Birth Practices," which are:

 Let labor begin on its own.

 Walk, move around, and change positions throughout labor.

 Bring a loved one, friend, or doula for continuous support.

 Avoid interventions that aren't medically necessary.

 Avoid giving birth on your back and follow your body's urges to push.

 Keep mother and baby together-it's best for mother, baby, and breastfeeding.

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Summary

Chapter 1: Understanding Birth and Your Options

* Explains the stages of labor, hormonal involvement, and interventions available.
* Example: The author shares her experience with an epidural during labor, highlighting its benefits and drawbacks.

Chapter 2: Creating a Birth Plan

* Guides readers through creating a birth plan that outlines their preferences for labor and delivery.
* Example: A sample birth plan is provided, including specific requests for pain management, birthing position, and infant care.

Chapter 3: Preparing Physically and Emotionally

* Discusses physical exercises (Kegels, squats), relaxation techniques (yoga, meditation), and nutritional considerations for pregnancy and childbirth.
* Example: The author recommends practicing deep breathing exercises to manage pain and anxiety during contractions.

Chapter 4: The Mind-Body Connection and Empowerment

* Emphasizes the importance of positive affirmations, visualization, and self-advocacy during labor.
* Example: The author shares a story of a woman who used visualization techniques to overcome fear and deliver her baby with confidence.

Chapter 5: Labor and Birth

* Details the process of labor, from the onset of contractions to the delivery of the baby.
* Example: The author provides an account of her own labor and delivery, including the emotions and challenges she faced.

Chapter 6: Postpartum Recovery and Breastfeeding

* Covers the physical and emotional changes after childbirth, including recovery, breastfeeding, and bonding with the baby.
* Example: The author shares practical tips for managing postpartum bleeding, pain, and sleep deprivation.

Chapter 7: Unforeseen Circumstances and Medical Interventions

* Discusses common complications during labor and delivery and the role of medical interventions such as cesarean sections.
* Example: The author recounts her experience with a shoulder dystocia during her first delivery, emphasizing the importance of remaining calm and trusting in healthcare providers.

Chapter 8: Empowering Yourself in the Birth Experience

* Encourages readers to believe in their bodies, advocate for their needs, and seek support from loved ones and birth professionals.
* Example: The author shares a story of a woman who refused an episiotomy against her doctor's advice and successfully delivered her baby without tearing.