You are also encouraged to make a Plan B, and a plan for your Best Possible Caesarean – even if this is not your first choice of birth.

She is a former President of the Royal College of Midwives (1994‑5), a founder member of the Association of Radical Midwives, and the first Chair of the Midwives Information and Resource Service. The Positive Birth Book has now been translated into Dutch and Russian, and a new UK edition will be published in March 2022. The book's trademark Visual Birth Plan icons can be downloaded for free to help you create a birth plan for every eventuality. I was encouraged by the first section of the book where it was mentioned that any birth you choose is great as long as you chose it; but the book seemed to slowly become more and more pro home birth, anti hospital assistance as it went on. Packed with vital and cutting-edge information on everything from building the ultimate birth plan, to your choices and rights in the birth room; from optimal cord clamping, to seeding the microbiome; from the inside track on breastfeeding, to woman-centred caesarean, The Positive Birth Book shows you how to have the best possible birth, regardless of whether you plan to have your baby in hospital, in the birth centre, at home or by elective caesarean.After giving birth, I found Sears' description about how a certain position can stop pain during back labor to be laughable.

Accessible, engaging and explained in a simple and conversational style, the pages are packed with information and real life stories covering:• The stages of labour and birth• How different forms of pain relief, including epidurals, work• Induction of labour, ceasars and assisted birth• Monitoring of the baby and mother• Post childbirth recoveryProfessor Tong carefully and simply breaks down the evidence and facts to provide you with everything you need to know to turn anxiety and trepidation about childbirth into confidence, empowerment and cherished, life-long memories. I really liked the step by step info on what to expect during labor, which I haven’t read yet elsewhere. Full of information, realistic and not sentimental, The Happy Birth Book will help you work towards a good birth.We support all maternity service users to navigate the system as it exists, and campaign for a system which truly meets the needs of all.

Their one-of-a-kind guide, rich in information as well as inspiration, enables you to plan and create the birth you want. Challenging negativity and fear of childbirth, and brimming with everything you need to know about labor, birth, and the early weeks of parenting, The Positive Birth Book is the must-have guide for pregnant women. Milli Hill usefully divides labour into 14 stages, so you know what's going on with your body and your baby through the entire birth process. You’ll also learn vital information every pregnant woman needs to know about topics like the vital role of the birth hormone oxytocin, the relationship between your mind and body, and practical tips on everything from feeding in public to packing your birth bag. This is a concise read, but elegantly describes some of the work of Michel Odent, talking about what supports a woman giving birth.

I was interested in the biochemical/mechanical explanation of why relaxation in labor is important to pain coping. That's not necessarily a bad thing, but I can see how it might feel judging to some people in some circumstances, which I'm not sure I've seen or understood before. Babies are resilient and having a healthy birth is so much more important than having a "Sears" birth. A widely acclaimed best seller since it was first published, it has empowered hundreds of thousands of women worldwide to make informed, positive choices about their births. You'll find plenty of real stories and guidance throughout from mothers and experts in supporting breastfeeding.