Spiritual MidwiferySpiritual Midwifery is considered by many to be the bible of the home birth movement. This classic book on natural childbirth introduced a whole generation of women to the possibility of home birth and breast feeding. At a time when higher levels of technology were the wave of the future, the home birth movement testified to the naturalness and normalcy of the birthing process-even the sacredness of it. Ina May Gaskin, the author, is a powerful advocate for a woman's right to give birth without excessive and unnecessary medical intervention. Now in its fourth edition, her voice is needed as much now as then. In today's climate of unprecedented numbers of cesarean sections and induced labor, knowledge of this birthing process enables women to make informed choices regarding their maternity care and delivery options. The birthing stories and section on care of the newborn are valuable to anyone about to become a parent. One of the highlights of this book is the collection of amazing birth tales that replaces misconceptions about childbirth with an awareness of the rights of mothers and babies to experience a conscious and loving process. Birthing tales from ladies who were babies in earlier editions of Spiritual Midwifery and stories of Amish women from a nearby community who were delivered by The Farm Midwives bring a fresh perspective. Also new to this edition is information on postpartum depression and maternal death along with updated information on the safety of natural childbirth, and the safety of popular practices such as labor induction and cesarean operations. Photos of ecstatic faces of mothers and babies permeate the pages. The section on instructions to midwives provides excellent clinical information for all health professionals who attend births. The stories and information in this volume will remain relevant to women for generations to come. |
From inside the book
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Page 7
... vagina as the most appropriate word, while others reject it because of its whiff of clin- ical detachment or their dislike of its Latin meaning (sheath). Some have introduced the Sanskrit word yoni into English usage, disliking both vagina ...
... vagina as the most appropriate word, while others reject it because of its whiff of clin- ical detachment or their dislike of its Latin meaning (sheath). Some have introduced the Sanskrit word yoni into English usage, disliking both vagina ...
Page 28
... vaginal sphincters) for a couple of months following the birthing. I always say a prayer as I'm going to a birthing or sometime during the birth- ing. Sometimes I ask for God's help and sometimes I tell God exactly what I need and ask ...
... vaginal sphincters) for a couple of months following the birthing. I always say a prayer as I'm going to a birthing or sometime during the birth- ing. Sometimes I ask for God's help and sometimes I tell God exactly what I need and ask ...
Page 52
... vagina was bulging out from the baby's head being right underneath it and then really soon after that we could see the top of the baby's head through the opening and then with one big push the head came out. Ina May made sure the cord ...
... vagina was bulging out from the baby's head being right underneath it and then really soon after that we could see the top of the baby's head through the opening and then with one big push the head came out. Ina May made sure the cord ...
Page 72
... vagina which makes the baby come out easier. Whatever Ina May said came out funny and everybody laughed but me. I was afraid to laugh because I thought it would make the baby come out. This was true and I realized that if I laughed and ...
... vagina which makes the baby come out easier. Whatever Ina May said came out funny and everybody laughed but me. I was afraid to laugh because I thought it would make the baby come out. This was true and I realized that if I laughed and ...
Page 102
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Common terms and phrases
Amish amniotic fluid baby baby's baby’s head beautiful belly bilirubin birth canal bleeding blood pressure body born breast breastfeeding breathing breech breech births breech delivery called Cara cause centimeters cervix cesarean childbirth contractions cord couple deliver delivery dilated doctor energy episiotomy eyes Farm feel felt fluid fully dilated give birth going hand happen hard heart home birth hospital husband infection keep knew labor legs looked Mary Louise membranes midwifery midwives minutes months mother mouth mucus muscles newborn nipple nurse okay oxygen pain Pamela pelvic placenta placenta previa polyhydramnios postpartum pounds pre-eclampsia pregnancy prenatal pretty pubic bone push relax Roberta rupture rushes sacrum shoulder sleep Sometimes started Stephen sterile stitches strong sure suture tell thing thought told toxemia twins usually uterus vagina wanted weeks weight woman women