The Essential Homebirth Guide: For Families Planning or Considering Birthing at Home

by Jane E. Drichta, Jodilyn Owen, Christianne Northrup

Overview

Birthing is a miraculous time when you and your baby will work together to bring about life. As you finally cradle your precious newborn in your arms, you should know deep in your soul that every decision that brought the two of you to this special moment was yours.

More families than ever are choosing to birth at home. Midwives Jane E. Drichta and Jodilyn Owen answer questions about the kind of care, support, and information you need as you investigate whether this option is right for you. Birth can be an empowering and positive experience, and this book provides gentle guidance, with high regard for your wisdom and ability to successfully navigate your prenatal care, birth, and early mothering.

Enriched with real birth stories from new mothers, The Essential Homebirth Guide offers thoughtful, compassionate advice on a wealth of birthing topics, including:

• Building a supportive homebirth community • Caring for yourself and your baby from your pregnancy through the postpartum period • Communicating about your birthing plans with your midwife, your partner, and your family and friends • Deciding whether homebirth is safe for you • Educating yourself about common pregnancy-related issues • Preparing your home and your family for the big day

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781451668636
Publisher:	Gallery Books
Publication date:	02/12/2013
Sold by:	SIMON & SCHUSTER
Format:	eBook
Pages:	400
Sales rank:	782,123
File size:	7 MB

About the Author

Jane E. Drichta, together with Jodilyn Owen, has attended a combined total of more than one thousand births in more than eleven years as a doula, midwife, and birth educator. Based in Seattle, she is a passionate birth advocate and educator both internationally and in the United States. Her writing has appeared in a number of publications, including the trade journals Midwifery Today and Squat, as well as numerous non-birth related publications.

Jodilyn Owen, together with Jane E. Drichta, has attended a combined total of more than one thousand births in more than eleven years as a doula, midwife, and birth educator. Based in Seattle, she is a passionate birth advocate and educator both internationally and in the United States. Her writing has appeared in a number of publications, including the trade journals Midwifery Today and Squat, as well as numerous non-birth related publications.

Table of Contents

Foreword Christiane Northrup, MD, author of Women's Bodies, Women's Wisdom xi

Welcome xv

A Note from the Authors xix

Chapter 1 The Story of Homebirth 1

The History of Homebirth 2

Modem Homebirth 5

The Anatomy of Homebirth Today 7

Chapter 2 The Journey Begins 15

You're Pregnant! 16

Choosing a Homebirth Provider and Establishing Care 20

Prenatal Nutrition 26

Chapter 3 Prenatal Care with a Homebirth Midwife: More Than Just the Numbers 33

The Primary Goal of Prenatal Care: Establishing Individualized Norms 34

Relationship Development 37

Welcome to Your Prenatal Visit 41

Chapter 4 Midwifery Care, Homebirth, and the Mother's Community 55

Relationships 56

Homebirth and Family 58

From Co-workers to Strangers, Everyone Wants a Piece of Me! 63

Keeping Calm and Cared For 68

Chapter 5 She Said, I Said, They Said-Communication 71

Anatomy of a Discussion 72

Informed Consent: Your Midwife Is Talking to You! 74

The Birth Plan: Sharing Your Hopes and Plans with Your Midwife 80

Because I Said So! Communicating with Your Family About Your Choice to Homebirth 89

Chapter 6 Your Expanded Pregnancy and Birth Team 97

Homebirth and Your Expanded Team 98

Childbirth Education Classes 109

Chapter 7 Special Circumstances 115

Understanding Risk 116

Twins and Homebirth 119

Breech Babies and Homebirth 124

Birth as a Sexual Abuse Survivor 130

Teen Pregnancies 134

Chapter 8 Homebirth After Cesarean 141

Why HBAC? 142

Is HBAC Safe? 147

Finding an HBAC Midwife 152

Finding Peer Support for HBAC 155

Chapter 9 The Big Ten: Common Pregnancy-Related Issues 163

The Emotional Experience of Pregnancy 165

Anemia 170

Vitamin D Deficiency 176

Rhesus Factor (aka Rh Negative) 181

Group Beta Strep (aka Group B Strep or GBS) 185

Gestational Diabetes 192

The Thyroid 209

"I think I'm just plain getting sick. What can I do?" 214

Hypertensive Disorders 217

Miscarriage 224

Chapter 10 Labor and Birth at Home 229

Preparing Your Home for the Birth 230

Birth Kits 235

Siblings at the birth or no siblings at the birth? That is the question! 240

After the Due Date 244

Labor and Birth 246

Chapter 11 The Postpartum Period 271

Immediate Postpartum Care 272

Skin-to-Skin 277

Breastfeeding Your Baby 283

What's Next? 286

Newborn Medications and Screening 289

Postpartum Depression 294

Chapter 12 The Story Continues 303

Appendix A Questions to Ask During an Interview 327

Appendix B Further Reading for the Homebirth Family 333

Appendix C Resources for Childbirth Education and Support 335

Appendix D Resources for Higher Risk Mamas with Homebirth Hearts 337

Appendix E The Photos 339

Acknowledgments 341

Notes 345

Index 359

What People are Saying About This

Booklist - Karen Springen

"A foreword by Christiane Northrup, the influential ob/gyn and bestselling author of Women’s Bodies,Women’s Wisdom (2010), ensures that this is no quacky guide to home birth. At a time when C-sections make up an estimated 30 to 50 percent of U.S. births, this book by two midwives and nurse educators puts the power back into mothers’ hands. And it offers guidance to all pregnant women, not only those who plan to deliver at home. Drichta and Owen talk about prenatal nutrition (nix the sugar and processed foods) and urge pregnant women to simply enjoy themselves. They note that, contrary to popular belief, women who miscarry are not at increased risk of miscarrying again unless they experience three sequential miscarriages. They recommend making a “birth kit,” including flexible straws (easier to drink from during labor), a heating pad, and lots and lot of towels. Taking to heart the idea that a picture is worth a thousand words, they tuck in photos of women giving birth at home. Their calm, commonsense advice should make all pregnant women feel comforted and well prepared.

ThatWifeBlog

"The Essential Homebirth Guide is…everything women giving birth at home need to know. This book is a practical description of the many factors that need to be addressed when giving birth at home. I could tell that the authors had worked hard to give evidence-based information, and the amount of advice they give is kept at a minimum. … One of the struggles I’ve had when navigating the world of homebirth is that the amount of unbiased reliable information is very small. All midwives have a particular bias that needs to be measured when advice is given, and googling things usually takes you to forums where women are giving out plenty of opinions without much evidence to back them up. … If you’re giving birth at home I would rate this book as essential as Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth, and I can see it being incredibly useful to women giving birth in freestanding birth centers as well."

PhD - Mayim Bialik

"This comprehensive and well researched book is precisely what the homebirth community has been craving. It takes you from the decision making months of pregnancy through options for labor and beyond beautifully. What a welcome addition and reference for anyone passionate about homebirth.

Midwife and Founder of Midwifery Today - Jan Tritten

"Homebirth is the gold standard by which all birth can be measured. This book is one of the most important books to come out this year. It addresses exactly what women want and need to know about this way of birthing. Birth is a human rights issue and homebirth gives both mother and baby back what rightfully belongs the them, their birth. This book is chock full of current information we have learned about birth in the past few decades. With a good midwife and this book in their hands, families are on the road to a miraculous birth experience.

Editorial Reviews

"Homebirth is the gold standard by which all birth can be measured. This book is one of the most important books to come out this year. It addresses exactly what women want and need to know about this way of birthing. Birth is a human rights issue and homebirth gives both mother and baby back what rightfully belongs the them, their birth. This book is chock full of current information we have learned about birth in the past few decades. With a good midwife and this book in their hands, families are on the road to a miraculous birth experience."

Midwife and Founder of Midwifery Today - Jan Tritten

"The Essential Homebirth Guide is…everything women giving birth at home need to know. This book is a practical description of the many factors that need to be addressed when giving birth at home. I could tell that the authors had worked hard to give evidence-based information, and the amount of advice they give is kept at a minimum. … One of the struggles I’ve had when navigating the world of homebirth is that the amount of unbiased reliable information is very small. All midwives have a particular bias that needs to be measured when advice is given, and googling things usually takes you to forums where women are giving out plenty of opinions without much evidence to back them up. … If you’re giving birth at home I would rate this book as essential as Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth, and I can see it being incredibly useful to women giving birth in freestanding birth centers as well."

ThatWifeBlog

"A foreword by Christiane Northrup, the influential ob/gyn and bestselling author of Women’s Bodies,Women’s Wisdom (2010), ensures that this is no quacky guide to home birth. At a time when C-sections make up an estimated 30 to 50 percent of U.S. births, this book by two midwives and nurse educators puts the power back into mothers’ hands. And it offers guidance to all pregnant women, not only those who plan to deliver at home. Drichta and Owen talk about prenatal nutrition (nix the sugar and processed foods) and urge pregnant women to simply enjoy themselves. They note that, contrary to popular belief, women who miscarry are not at increased risk of miscarrying again unless they experience three sequential miscarriages. They recommend making a “birth kit,” including flexible straws (easier to drink from during labor), a heating pad, and lots and lot of towels. Taking to heart the idea that a picture is worth a thousand words, they tuck in photos of women giving birth at home. Their calm, commonsense advice should make all pregnant women feel comforted and well prepared."

Booklist - Karen Springen

"This comprehensive and well researched book is precisely what the homebirth community has been craving. It takes you from the decision making months of pregnancy through options for labor and beyond beautifully. What a welcome addition and reference for anyone passionate about homebirth."

PhD - Mayim Bialik

"This comprehensive and well researched book is precisely what the homebirth community has been craving. It takes you from the decision making months of pregnancy through options for labor and beyond beautifully. What a welcome addition and reference for anyone passionate about homebirth."

"Homebirth is the gold standard by which all birth can be measured. This book is one of the most important books to come out this year. It addresses exactly what women want and need to know about this way of birthing. Birth is a human rights issue and homebirth gives both mother and baby back what rightfully belongs the them, their birth. This book is chock full of current information we have learned about birth in the past few decades. With a good midwife and this book in their hands, families are on the road to a miraculous birth experience."

"Professional midwives Drichta and Owen present a comprehensive and easy-to-read guide to lead mothers through each phase of pregnancy and home birth. The authors organize the book in a question-and-answer format, with heartfelt testimonials interspersed throughout. Their goal was to open the range of experience and exposure for pregnant women so when they "make decisions regarding where and how to birth, [they] will be making truly informed ones." Drichta and Owen stress that midwives focus on the mother and family—developing a strong relationship, educating the mother and creating a birthing plan tailored to the mother's preferences. The authors' relationship-centered chapters walk readers through each step of pregnancy and delivery, including nutrition, prenatal testing, home birth after a cesarean and 10 common pregnancy-related issues. The authors also discuss special circumstances such as twins and breech babies. In addition, Drichta and Owen instruct readers on how to prepare their home for birth (a clean bathroom is key). They also admit that not every birth can take place at home, counseling mothers to have a written plan if they must transfer to a hospital. The authors back up their assertions with statistics, and each chapter is footnoted. Appendixes include questions to ask when choosing a home-birth attendant, a home-birth reading list, websites for childbirth education and support, and resources for high-risk births. A foreword by Dr. Christiane Northrup, author of Women's Bodies, Women's Wisdom, encourages mothers to access their innate birthing wisdom. A strong, helpful resource for anyone considering a home birth."

"A foreword by Christiane Northrup, the influential ob/gyn and bestselling author of Women’s Bodies,Women’s Wisdom (2010), ensures that this is no quacky guide to home birth. At a time when C-sections make up an estimated 30 to 50 percent of U.S. births, this book by two midwives and nurse educators puts the power back into mothers’ hands. And it offers guidance to all pregnant women, not only those who plan to deliver at home. Drichta and Owen talk about prenatal nutrition (nix the sugar and processed foods) and urge pregnant women to simply enjoy themselves. They note that, contrary to popular belief, women who miscarry are not at increased risk of miscarrying again unless they experience three sequential miscarriages. They recommend making a “birth kit,” including flexible straws (easier to drink from during labor), a heating pad, and lots and lot of towels. Taking to heart the idea that a picture is worth a thousand words, they tuck in photos of women giving birth at home. Their calm, commonsense advice should make all pregnant women feel comforted and well prepared."

"The Essential Homebirth Guide is…everything women giving birth at home need to know. This book is a practical description of the many factors that need to be addressed when giving birth at home. I could tell that the authors had worked hard to give evidence-based information, and the amount of advice they give is kept at a minimum. … One of the struggles I’ve had when navigating the world of homebirth is that the amount of unbiased reliable information is very small. All midwives have a particular bias that needs to be measured when advice is given, and googling things usually takes you to forums where women are giving out plenty of opinions without much evidence to back them up. … If you’re giving birth at home I would rate this book as essential as Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth, and I can see it being incredibly useful to women giving birth in freestanding birth centers as well."

From the Publisher

Professional midwives Drichta and Owen present a comprehensive and easy-to-read guide to lead mothers through each phase of pregnancy and home birth. The authors organize the book in a question-and-answer format, with heartfelt testimonials interspersed throughout. Their goal was to open the range of experience and exposure for pregnant women so when they "make decisions regarding where and how to birth, [they] will be making truly informed ones." Drichta and Owen stress that midwives focus on the mother and family--developing a strong relationship, educating the mother and creating a birthing plan tailored to the mother's preferences. The authors' relationship-centered chapters walk readers through each step of pregnancy and delivery, including nutrition, prenatal testing, home birth after a cesarean and 10 common pregnancy-related issues. The authors also discuss special circumstances such as twins and breech babies. In addition, Drichta and Owen instruct readers on how to prepare their home for birth (a clean bathroom is key). They also admit that not every birth can take place at home, counseling mothers to have a written plan if they must transfer to a hospital. The authors back up their assertions with statistics, and each chapter is footnoted. Appendixes include questions to ask when choosing a home-birth attendant, a home-birth reading list, websites for childbirth education and support, and resources for high-risk births. A foreword by Dr. Christiane Northrup, author of Women's Bodies, Women's Wisdom, encourages mothers to access their innate birthing wisdom. A strong, helpful resource for anyone considering a home birth.

Kirkus Reviews