The integrative model of childbirth described in this book will provide women with the information needed to prepare for birth, how to think and feel about labor, and how to tell their story. During their childbearing year, women traverse two paths at once: an inner path of psychological and spiritual awareness and an outer path of practical approaches to birth in modern-day culture. The book combines scientific research with meditation, ceremony, art, and mythic stories, which not only prepares childbearing women to go beyond their edge into uncharted territory but to find their way home again. The underlying message throughout is not to strive for a perfect birth but to be mindful of the mythic journey, of all the mothers who have come before--an awareness that leads not only to the birth of a child but to the birth of a new self.

Here is a holistic approach to childbirth that examines this profound rite-of-passage not as a medical event but as an act of self-discovery. Exercises and activities such as journal writing, meditation, and painting will help mothers analyze their thoughts and face their fears during pregnancy. For use during birth, the book offers proven techniques for coping with labor pain without drugs, a discussion of the doctor or midwife s role, and a look at the father s responsibilities. Childbirth education should also include what to expect after the baby is born. Here are baby basics, such as how to bathe a newborn, how to get the little one to sleep, and tips for getting nursing off to a good start. Pregnancy, birth, and postpartum is a process of continuous learning and adjustment; Birthing From Within provides the necessary support and education to make each phase of birthing a rewarding experience.

The original Spiritual Midwifery, published in 1976, introduced an entire generation of young women to the possibility of home birth and breast feeding. It also breathed new life into the all-but-vanished field of midwifery. This classic book on home birth is now in its fourth edition, with updated information on the safety of natural childbirth, new birthing stories, and the most recent statistics on births managed by The Farm Midwives. Ina May also provides new information about potentially dangerous techniques routinely used in hospitals during and after birth, as well as the latest findings about VBAC (Vaginal Birth After Cesarean). Improved instructions for handling breech births are also given. Included are stories of working with Amish women, showing a different culture with a similar appreciation for natural childbirth.

Drawing upon her thirty-plus years of experience, Ina May Gaskin, the nation's leading midwife, shares the benefits and joys of natural childbirth by showing women how to trust in the ancient wisdom of their bodies for a healthy and fulfilling birthing experience. Based on the female-centered Midwifery Model of Care, Ina May's Guide to Childbirth gives expectant mothers comprehensive information on everything from the all-important mind-body connection to how to give birth without technological intervention. Filled with inspiring birth stories and practical advice, this invaluable resource includes: • Reducing the pain of labor without drugs, and the miraculous roles touch and massage play • What really happens during labor • Orgasmic birth: making birth pleasurable • Episiotomy- is it really necessary? • Common methods of inducing labor, and which to avoid at all costs • Tips for maximizing your chances of an unmedicated labor and birth • How to avoid postpartum bleeding and depression • The risks of anesthesia and cesareans- what your doctor doesn't necessarily tell you • The best ways to work with doctors and/or birth care providers • How to create a safe, comfortable environment for birth in any setting, including a hospital And much more...

If you're like most women, you'll go into labour with little knowledge of exactly what your body is doing and why, and how you can actively manage the pain and stay in control while helping your body do what it's designed to. That's where Birth Skills Class comes in, a step-by-step guide packed with information plus easy-to-learn, proven pain management skills. In Birth Skills Class, obstetric physiotherapist Juju Sundin shares the techniques she has pioneered over her 30-year career, while Sarah Murdoch takes you on a personal journey of her own labour and birth, describing how she learned the skills in the class then applied them on the big day. Whether it's your first baby or lucky last, you will learn: how your body works in labour and why How to turn fear into positive action so you stay in control How to use movement, breathing, vocalisation, visualisation, keywords and other handy techniques What to wear, what to take, and what questions to ask How your partner can help, and working as a team Other women's experiences using Juju's techniques. Birth is all about the bigger picture -- educating and empowering yourself, giving it a try, doing it your way, and a healthy mother and baby. - Juju Sundin

In Mothermorphosis, some of Australia's most talented writers and storytellers share their own experiences of motherhood. In telling their stories they articulate the complex internal conflicts, the exhilaration and the absurdity of the transformation that takes place when we become mothers. We read about the yearning for a child, the private and public expressions of maternal love, the questioning, uncertainty and unexpected delight, as well as unfathomable loss. Mothermorphosis reveals that there is no 'right' version of this epic experience and no single tale that could ever speak for all mothers. Yet it is in reading about other women's experiences—the hard bits, the joyous bits and even the ridiculous bits—that we can become more compassionate, not just to other mothers but hopefully to ourselves.

What if I told you that you can put an end to all of your parenting struggles? That you can learn to parent without fear or anxiety? That you can end conflict with your children? That you can create close and connected relationships within your family? …Would you accept this invitation to a revolution in parenting? We all have the capacity to raise children who are highly resilient and emotionally connected. However, many of us are unable to because we are blinded by modern misconceptions of parenting and our own inner limitations. In The Awakened Family, I show you how you can cultivate a relationship with your children so they can thrive; moreover, you can be transformed to a state of greater calm, compassion and wisdom as well. This book will take you on a journey to transcending your fears and illusions around parenting and help you become the parent you always wanted to be: fully present and conscious. It will arm you with practical, hands-on strategies and real-life examples from my experience as a parent and clinical psychologist that show the extraordinary power of being a conscious parent.

Packed with practical advice on everything from birth plans to dealing with doctors and doulas, this calls-to-arms is the only guide you need to stand and deliver, and get the birth that's right for you.

Funny one minute and heartbreaking the next, Aussie Midwives explores the joys, emotion and drama of childbirth and the lasting effect it has on the people who work in this extraordinary profession.

The Down to Earth Birth Book is a practical guide to natural birth in any setting, promoting self-nurturing, responsibility and awareness to help create a conscious birth and parenting experience. This is a ‘grass roots’ book that celebrates the innate intelligence of mind, body and spirit in relation to birth.

An empowering and inclusive guide to pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum life that puts mothers first--instead of an agenda--and offers passionate and straightforward guidance and options on the issues that matter most to them when preparing for a baby.

Pregnancy and childbirth are full of big questions — what if my baby is enormous? Will my water break naturally? What even goes into a ‘birth plan’? How on earth am I going to keep this child alive once it’s here? And where do I turn for advice that will really work for me and my life?

While postpartum depression has become a recognizable condition, The Postnatal Depletion Cure is the first book to treat the nutrient depletion, sleep loss, and emotional shifts that afflict women up to a decade after giving birth. Most mothers have experienced exhaustion, pain, forgetfulness, indecision, low energy levels, moodiness, or some form of baby brain. And it's no wonder: The process of growing a baby depletes a mother's body in substantial ways on average, a mother's brain shrinks 5% during pregnancy, and the placenta saps her of essential nutrients that she needs to be healthy and contented. But with postnatal care ending after 6 weeks, most women never learn how to rebuild their strength and care for their bodies after childbirth. As a result, they can suffer from the effects of depletion for many years, without knowing what's wrong as well as getting the support and treatments that they need. Any woman who has read What to Expect When You're Expecting needs a copy of The Postnatal Depletion Cure . Filled with trustworthy advice, protocols for successful recovery, and written by a compassionate expert in women's health,The Postnatal Depletion Cure will help every mother restore her energy, replenish her body, and reclaim her sense of self.

This stunning sequel to Brigitte Jordan's landmark Birth in Four Cultures brings together the work of fifteen reproductive anthropologists to address core cultural values and knowledge systems as revealed in contemporary birth practices in Brazil, Greece, Japan, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Tanzania, and the United States. Six ethnographic chapters form the heart of the book, three of which are set up as dyads that compare two countries; each demonstrates the power of anthropology's cross-cultural comparative method. An additional chapter with ethnographic vignettes gives readers a feel for what fieldwork is really like on the ground. The eminently readable, theoretically rich chapters are enhanced by absorbing stories, photos, quotes, thought questions, and film suggestions that nudge the reader toward eureka flashes of understanding and render the book suitable for undergraduate and graduate audiences alike.

When Survivors Give Birth is written for a mixed audience of maternity care professionals and para-professionals, mental health therapists and counselors, and women survivors and their families. The authors expertly and compassionately address the unusual and distressing challenges that arise for abuse survivors during the childbirth experience. The first section informs the reader of the impact of early sexual abuse on children, adults, and on all aspects of childbearing. The second section teaches skills in communication, self-help skills, counseling and psychotherapy techniques. The third covers clinical challenges and solutions for doctors, nurses, midwives, doulas, and others. Case histories throughout the book clarify and apply the content.

DVD. Birth: it's a miracle. A rite of passage. A natural part of life. But more than anything, birth is a business. Compelled to find answers after a disappointing birth experience with her first child, actress Ricki Lake recruits filmmaker Abby Epstein to explore the maternity care system in America. Focusing on New York City, the film reveals that there is much to distrust behind hospital doors and follows several couples who decide to give birth on their own terms. There is an unexpected turn when director Epstein not only discovers she is pregnant, but finds the life of her child on the line. Should birth be viewed as a natural life process, or should every delivery be treated as a potential medical emergency?

DVD. A film about families that choose to give birth at home, the midwives and medical professionals who work with them, and a system that works against them. Our society is slowly learning that we need to take responsibility for our own health. Part of this movement is women taking responsibility for their own births, grabbing back the reins of choice. After all no one else actually delivers the baby – not the doctor or the midwife. The mother delivers the baby, just as all female mammals, for millions of years. I have met many amazing mothers who have kindly opened their hearts and lives to share the most important and personal experience of their lives. And we have interviewed top experts from around the world on both sides on the debate. The evidence is mounting and awareness is growing about the benefits of a natural physiological childbirth. And yet it is getting harder and harder to have a natural birth within the hospital system. As it stands today in 2011, women are by and large terrified of giving birth. We have a 33 per cent epidural rate, up to 70 per cent in some private hospitals. Our Caesarian rate is 30 per cent, and in some private hospitals as high as 50 per cent, (the World Health Organization recommendation is 15 per cent). 50 per cent of women in private hospitals are also having their labours accelerated. 15 per cent of women suffer postnatal depression and 6 per cent suffer from post-traumatic stress syndrome.

Your toddler throws a tantrum in the middle of a store. Your preschooler refuses to get dressed. Your 11-year-old sulks on the bench instead of playing on the field. Do children conspire to make their parents' lives endlessly challenging? No — it's just their developing brain calling the shots! In this pioneering, practical book, Daniel J. Siegel, neuropsychiatrist and author of the bestselling Mindsight, and parenting expert Tina Payne Bryson demystify the meltdowns and aggravation, explaining the new science of how a child's brain is wired and how it matures. The 'upstairs brain', which makes decisions and balances emotions, is under construction until the mid-20s. And especially in young children, the right brain and its emotions tend to rule over the logic of the left brain. By applying these discoveries to everyday parenting, you can turn any outburst, argument, or fear into a chance to integrate your child's brain and foster vital growth. With clear explanations, age-appropriate strategies for dealing with day-to-day struggles, and illustrations that will help you explain these concepts to your child, The Whole-Brain Child shows you how to cultivate healthy emotional and intellectual development so that your children can lead balanced, meaningful, and connected lives.

Research tells us many postnatal challenges stem from our pre-baby life: our emotional history, childhood and even babyhood. Prenatal preparation that recognises this is crucial in protecting new mothers from postnatal depression. It is also the kind of preparation Rhea Dempsey has offered for years to women wanting the best chance of intervention-free birth in our current system.

The book has been acclaimed both as a Handbook for Rebirthers as they work with clients; as well as a manual for those who wish to gain a greater understanding themselves and their relationships. It offers a theoretical framework and most importantly practical tools to manage change.

Did you know that the word 'placenta' means a flat cake, in Latin? That barren women in some Chinese provinces would eat placenta to enhance their fertility? That until the 19th century, Japanese people buried their babies' placentas at the entrance to their homes? That leaving the cord, at least until it stops pulsating, gives your baby an extra 30-50% blood that has been stored in the placenta? Or that objects such as bags, pull-along toys, and even pets may symbolically represent our lost placenta? You can read all of this and more in this intriguing book, which centres around lotus birth. Lotus birth is the practice of leaving the baby's cord uncut after birth, so that baby and placenta remain attached until the cord naturally separates, just as a cut cord does, at 2 to 10 days after birth. Lotus birth is new in our culture, but reflects the respect that many traditional cultures have for the placenta- the baby's first companion. This book is a not only a fascinating account of the theory and practice of lotus birth, but gives us a depth and richness of understanding about the significance of the placenta, and why people are drawn to this rather unusual ritual.

Sarah Buckley might be called a third-wave natural birth advocate. A doctor and a mother, she approaches the question of how a woman and baby might have the most fulfilling birth experience with respect for the wisdom of both medical science and the human body. Using current medical and epidemiological research plus women's experiences (including her own), she demonstrates that what she calls "undisturbed birth" is almost always healthier and safer than high-technology approaches to birth. Her wise counsel on issues like breastfeeding and sleeping during postpartum helps extend the gentle birth experience into a gentle parenting relationship.

A postpartum recipe book with recipe gift cards to help modern mamas gather their village and organise homemade meal giving for their fourth trimester. THE PERFECT GIFT FOR A MAMA TO BE, A BOOK SHE WILL TREASURE AND A WONDERFUL ACTIVITY FOR A BABY SHOWER AND MOTHER’S BLESSING. Hand out the recipe gift cards to friends and family to organise homemade meal giving. Delicious recipes designed alongside a naturopath to help replenish and nourish a new mama post birth. Recipes cater to all mamas including vegan, gluten free and dairy free options.

It’s time for a childbirth revolution. The modern approach to maternity care fails women, families and care providers with outdated practices that centre the needs of institutions rather than individuals. In this book, Rachel Reed weaves history, science and research with the experiences of women and care providers to create a holistic, evidence-based framework for understanding birth. Reclaiming childbirth as a rite of passage requires us to recognise that mothers own the power and expertise when it comes to birthing their babies. Whether you are a parent, care provider or educator, this book will transform how you think and feel about childbirth.

This best-selling childbirth book for men is recommended by midwives, obstetricians and thousands of dads who have been through the gates of fatherhood with Cheers to Childbirth as their guide. It covers pain management, caesareans, home birth, hospital birth, breastfeeding – the lot. Discover how to make childbirth easier and faster for your partner. Learn what to say and what not to say to a woman in labour. Where to touch and how not to touch. When to duck for cover and when to come out fighting. This childbirth book is the must-have handbook for expectant dads, who have a big job on their hands.

Birth and sex are often talked about as if they were contrasting experiences. In fact, they each involve the same rush of hormones in an action drama in which mind and body work in harmony. When a woman is free to follow her instincts and give birth naturally, waves of endorphins surge in the bloodstream with the same energy as in ecstatic lovemaking. Birth and sex mingle to become one in the thrilling, sweet, intense and overwhelming experience of creation. Yet in the Western high-tech birth culture the environment often inhibits the spontaneity of birth, resulting in pain and distress. Pregnancy and birth are de-sexed and treated as medical conditions. Women are turned into objects on which doctors act. In this compelling and controversial new book Sheila Kitzinger explores the complexity and depth of female sexuality during pregnancy, birth, and after the baby comes. She shows what can be done to create an environment in which a woman is able to trust her instincts and be confident in her body. By rediscovering the power and passion in our bodies, we can reclaim the spontaneity and sexual ecstasy of childbirth.

Twenty one mothers, birthing people from around the world, unite their voices in the book “Birth As You Please” to share their birth stories and portraits to inspire, empower and advocate the right to choose how to give birth; where, when and with whom. A book where the diversity of birth giving experience will be portrayed through colors and words and where art is used as a medium that elevates human existence and immortalizes the essence of motherhood.

This book addresses the politics of global health and social justice issues around birth, focusing on dynamic communities that have chosen to speak truth to power by reforming dysfunctional health care systems or creating new ones outside the box. The chapters present models of childbirth at extreme ends of a spectrum—from the conflict zones and disaster areas of Afghanistan, Israel, Palestine, and Indonesia, to high-risk tertiary care settings in China, Canada, Australia, and Turkey. Debunking notions about best care, the volume illustrates how human rights in health care are on a collision course with global capitalism and offers a number of specific solutions to this ever-increasing proble

International birth intervention rates are well above those recommended by the World Health Organisation and climbing. In Birth with Confidence, one of Australia's foremost thinkers on the subject of childbirth explains why normal birth is almost impossible in our current birth culture-and what women can do to beat the odds. In this accessible, straightforward book, Rhea Dempsey draws on over thirty years' experience to show how a woman's choice of caregivers, support team and birthplace, as well as her life experience and personal attitudes to pain, will affect her birth outcomes. Featuring real-life stories, the latest Australian statistics and opportunities for guided personal reflection, Birth with Confidence provides the knowledge and practical advice that women need for the best chance of normal birth in today's birth culture.

Designed to transform the experience of childbirth, this manual calls upon the use of the timeless and powerful symbol of the labyrinth in 12 simple meditations and ceremonies. Ideal as a tool for centering the self and calming the body and mind, this guide ushers readers through the inner journey of the childbearing yearfrom pregnancy and labor through the postpartum stage. A variety of labyrinthsincluding four childbirth-related labyrinths from the Hopi and Papago cultures in the American Southwest and two others from Indiaare presented in this handbook and cover topics that include helping mothers focus on their emotional and spiritual state preparation for birth, aid in calming the mind and steadying breathing during birth, and allowing parents to fully process their experiences. Instructions for drawing a classic labyrinth, ideas for personalizing the design, and labyrinth "seeds"start-up patterns for six variations of labyrinthare also included. The timeless and powerful symbol of the labyrinth forms the core of this collection of 12 simple meditations and ceremonies designed to transform the experience of childbirth. The inner journey through the childbearing yearfrom pregnancy through labor and postpartum stagesis enhanced through the use of labyrinths as a tool for meditation and centering.

In Birth Reborn Michel Odent outlines the choices available to the mother who wants to give birth naturally, in her own way and with full control over her own body, drawing on his decades of experience as an obstetrician who dealt with 1,000 births a year. It is central to his philosophy that birth is instinctive, and that an environment that promotes intimacy and creativity is essential in the experience of birth, and that the role of the midwife must be key to the mother's experience.

THE BIRTH MAP is designed to encourage note taking and to record your journey (there is even space for your birth story). Pour yourself into the book, creating a keepsake. It takes you through the Informed Birth Preparation process, helping you to create your own Birth Map and prepare for life after birth. Over 200 pages, covering: Informed Decision Making, what to expect from 'standard pregnancy care, Creating your Birth Map, General Considerations for birth, each stage of labour, post birth and beyond.

When Archie notices his mummy's tummy growing, he knows something strange is happening. And when a fluffy pink bundle arrives back home, Archie, wonders if life will ever be the same again.

Mum starts to get stomach pains, and she knows its time for her to give birth at home. The midwife arrives, Dad builds a fire, Aunty Meg makes a pot of soup, and Jack helps Mum prepare baby's clothes. With everyone's help, Mum gives birth to a healthy baby boy. Suggested level: junior, primary.

Birth without Violence revolutionized the way we perceive the process of birth, urging us to consider birth from the infant's point of view. Why must a child emerge from the quiet darkness of the womb into a blaze of blinding light and loud voices? Why must an infant take its first breath in terror, hanging upside down as its vulnerable spine is jerked straight? Why must the infant be separated from its mother after spending nine months inside her nourishing body? Examining alternatives to technocentric approaches to childbirth, this classic text shows us how we can create an environment of tranquillity in which to welcome our children: a relaxed mother, gentle lighting, soothing atmosphere, and a warm bath that mirrors the child's prenatal surroundings.

The Motherhood is a collection of letters from some of Australia’s favourite women, sharing what they wish they’d known about life with a newborn. Coming from writers with a diverse range of backgrounds and experiences, no two stories are alike – but all are generous, compassionate and deeply honest. As the old adage goes, ‘It takes a village to raise a child’ – and it also takes a village to properly support a new mother. Here is your village. These sisters (with babes) in arms are here to share the joy, the fear, the love, the laughter, the tears and the frustration, and to hold your hand in the dark. Together, they will give you the strength and courage to find your feet as a new mum.

Sarah Napthali takes us on a journey through the challenges (and the pleasures!) of raising children, using Buddhist teachings and principles to help her answer the eternal questions of mothers everywhere: Who am I now? Where am I going? And how can I do my best by my children and myself? This wisdom also allows space for the deeper reflections about who we are and what makes us happy. Writing from personal experience, and weaving in stories from other mothers throughout her narrative, Sarah shows us how spiritual and mindful parenting can help all mothers to be more open and content. Even if exploring Buddhism at this busy stage of your life is not where you thought you'd be, it's well worth reading this book. It can make a difference.

Raising your children can be the most fulfilling thing you ever do. But your children can also challenge you like no one else will. To make it through the sleepless nights and toddler tantrums, it is fundamental that you develop an understanding of what makes your child tick. An empowering book for parents, Heart-To-Heart Parenting is much more than just a “‘how to”’ book about raising happy and resilient children. It also advocates strongly for parents’ rights to be supported, and to find the greatest joy and pleasure along the way. This book is a map—it makes parenting into an adventure, and the most profound personal growth journey you will ever undertake.

Learn how to access the root of feminine energy and power to heal from pregnancy and birth and discover joy within yourself and your family. Create new forms of mothering and learn to facilitate daily access to the power, spirit, and joy that mothering from the center brings. Building on themes from Tami Lynn Kent’s award-winning Wild Feminine, Mothering from Your Center takes a groundbreaking, holistic approach to women’s health as Kent provides gentle guidance through the emotional and physical transformative process of pregnancy, birth, and motherhood. Revealing her own soul-filled journey from miscarriage to motherhood, Kent offers an intimate and comprehensive guide to reclaiming the energetic center of the female body. Drawing on her work with thousands of women and the energy of the pelvic bowl, Kent teaches you to access the creative potential of your center and the profound medicine it contains for all aspects of mothering and living creatively. Learn how to • engage the energetic power of the pelvic bowl; • heal from pregnancy and birth; • strengthen the bond between mother and child; • create holistic family harmony; • find balance between work and home; • enhance creativity and joy.

What No One Tells You: A Guide to Your Emotions from Pregnancy to Motherhood. Your guide to the emotions of pregnancy and early motherhood, from two of America’s top reproductive psychiatrists. When you are pregnant, you get plenty of advice about your growing body and developing baby. Yet so much about motherhood happens in your head. What everyone really wants to know: Is this normal? -Even after months of trying, is it normal to panic after finding out you’re pregnant? -Is it normal not to feel love at first sight for your baby? -Is it normal to fight with your parents and partner? -Is it normal to feel like a breastfeeding failure? -Is it normal to be zonked by “mommy brain?” In What No One Tells You, two of America’s top reproductive psychiatrists reassure you that the answer is yes. With thirty years of combined experience counseling new and expectant mothers, they provide a psychological and hormonal backstory to the complicated emotions that women experience, and show why it’s natural for “matrescence”—the birth of a mother—to be as stressful and transformative a period as adolescence. Here, finally, is the first-ever practical guide to help new mothers feel less guilt and more self-esteem, less isolation and more kinship, less resentment and more intimacy, less exhaustion and more pleasure, and learn other tips to navigate the ups and downs of this exciting, demanding time

Mindful Birthing: Training the Mind, Body, and Heart for Childbirth and Beyond. With Mindful Birthing, Nancy Bardacke, nurse-midwife and mindfulness teacher, lays out her innovative program for pregnancy, childbirth, and beyond. Drawing on groundbreaking research in neuroscience, mindfulness meditation, and mind/body medicine, Bardacke offers practices that will help you find calm and ease during this life-changing time, providing lifelong skills for healthy living and wise parenting. SOME OF THE BENEFITS OF MINDFUL BIRTHING: Increases confidence and decreases fear of childbirth Taps into deep inner resources for working with pain Improves couple communication, connection, and cooperation Provides stress-reducing skills for greater joy and wellbeing

Mother Matters: A Holistic Guide to Being a Happy, Healthy Mom. Millions of mothers are born each year. From the moment a baby is born, the world seems to focus on childcare, but what about mothercare? Enter Dayna Kurtz, the brains behind Huffington Post's Mother Matters blog. From postpartum depression and "baby blues" to healing meals and postnatal exercise, Kurtz guides new and veteran mothers alike through the best practices to care for themselves while mothering their little one(s). Her unique approach also includes less common methods like acupressure, expressive arts therapy, and more to help mothers boost their mental health and reclaim their identity. Backed by irrefutable research and personal anecdotes, Mother Matters is the guide every mother needs to not only survive but thrive!

Ina May's Guide To Breastfeeding. From leading midwife and the author of "Ina May's Guide to Childbirth" comes this deeply compassionate and comprehensive guide to making breastfeeding a joyful experience for both mother and child. Drawing on her decades of experience in caring for pregnant women, mothers, and babies, Ina May Gaskin's newest book explores the health and psychological benefits of breastfeeding. Inspiring as well as informative, "Ina May's Guide to Breastfeeding" is a powerful and practical guide filled with helpful advice, medical facts and real-life stories that will help mothers understand how and why breastfeeding works and how they can use it to more deeply connect with their children and their own bodies without fear, inhibition, or embarrassment.

The Fourth Trimester: A Postpartum Guide to Healing Your Body, Balancing Your Emotions, and Restoring Your Vitality. A holistic, practical guide to help support women through post-partum healing on the physical, emotional, relational, and spiritual levels. Pregnancy, childbirth, and post-partum offer women some of the most emotionally enriching and satisfying experiences of their life. But many women entering motherhood are shocked at their lack of preparation or awareness about what that actually means for their bodies, minds, spirits, and relationships. Kimberly Johnson, a doula, post-partum recovery expert, and yoga instructor has created a wise and supportive illustrated guide that offers women a roadmap to this very important transition that can last a few months--or even a few years. She draws from her vast professional experience, as well as her own personal experience, and also a number of disciplines including Western medicine, traditional Chinese medicine, Ayurveda, yoga, herbal medicine, energetics, and traditional (folk) remedies, among others, to create a truly rich and holistic guide. The book offers advice for pregnant women on how to prepare their body for birth; how to organize themselves and their households for the best possible transition to motherhood; simple practices to facilitate healing and restore energy; and how to strengthen relationships and aid the return to sex. Johnson also explores the complex and often conflicting emotions that arise post-partum, and explores the profound nature of childbirth and new motherhood. She helps women contextualize their experience and tap into the spiritual opportunities it can provide.

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