Asking for a good pregnant/babies books

[mabar]

Sorry if it is not the place, could not post in "What's on your mind", every time I was in "What's on your mind " I was logged out, I went to other themes, I was logged in, that happend like 5 times. (??)

I am asking for good pregnant/babies books, my sister is pregnant, she is very happy, although she had a bleed out that sent her to bed, that scared her, I want to give her some/one, books that may help her in this new journey, I asked her first, if she may want some/one books, that could recommended here (she knows about the fórum, and had read articles on SOTT), when is about knowledge regarding those particular circumstances is better to ask. I am wary?, I do have other kind of thoughts regarding bringing children to this world, but there are other people that prefer certain ignorance and be happier (or so they think).

Thanks, I appreciate it in advance.

 

[Erykah]

Hi Marbar

I would recommend Ina May Gaskin's book: Guide to Childbirth below is a summary from Amazon. Ina May is a midwife and specializes in home births, I have found that this book is an excellent resource for hospital births as well and gives lots of helpful information to new moms who have an unlimited number of questions ;)

What you need to know to have the best birth experience for you. 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 Natural 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

Ina May’s Guide to Natural Childbirth takes the fear out of childbirth by restoring women’s faith in their own natural power to give birth with more ease, less pain, and less medical intervention.

I also recommend Spiritual Midwifery by the same author it was written in the 1970's, it reads more like a story and describes Ina May's years on The Farm in Tennessee, delivering babies, it is a good introduction on what happens during childbirth.

Hope this helps

 

[Nancy2feathers]

Hi Marbar

I would recommend Ina May Gaskin's book: Guide to Childbirth below is a summary from Amazon. Ina May is a midwife and specializes in home births, I have found that this book is an excellent resource for hospital births as well and gives lots of helpful information to new moms who have an unlimited number of questions ;)

What you need to know to have the best birth experience for you. 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 Natural 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

Ina May’s Guide to Natural Childbirth takes the fear out of childbirth by restoring women’s faith in their own natural power to give birth with more ease, less pain, and less medical intervention.

I also recommend Spiritual Midwifery by the same author it was written in the 1970's, it reads more like a story and describes Ina May's years on The Farm in Tennessee, delivering babies, it is a good introduction on what happens during childbirth.

Hope this helps

I too, would recommend Ina-May Gaskin`s books shown above. If your sister is considering a water birth,I would also recommend Birth Reborn: What Childbirth Should be
by Michel Odent (Author), also sold on Amazon.com. :)

 

[mabar]

I also recommend Spiritual Midwifery by the same author it was written in the 1970's, it reads more like a story and describes Ina May's years on The Farm in Tennessee, delivering babies, it is a good introduction on what happens during childbirth.

I too, would recommend Ina-May Gaskin`s books shown above. If your sister is considering a water birth,I would also recommend Birth Reborn: What Childbirth Should be
by Michel Odent (Author), also sold on Amazon.com. :)

Thank you 'Awapuhi and Nancy2feathers, it has interesting topics -just read the quote- I will order them by nigh, I think it would help her, she is into more natural way of things being a biologist, and the recent bleeding did scared her, but I certainly think she would not go --of course it's something that I had not asked her-- into water childbirth, she once told me about the heck of the troubles of a couple of friends that try to do it that way, at least, here in this part of the world, is for quite good incoming resources, in both cases they ended up having their babies at the hospital. When money do not matter, there is no problem at all.

 

[Hildegarda]

In this case, she may relate more to the Bradley books on childbirth, and the Bradely method. This is geared towards people who want a hospital birth but want it to be as natural as possible, and have an educated supporting partner (spouse, doula, friend, other) by their side actively assisting them in labor. Very straightforward breathing exercises feature prominently and were very useful for me. I had an old edition of the "Natural Childbirth the Bradley Way", I think it is still in print.

 

[mabar]

In this case, she may relate more to the Bradley books on childbirth, and the Bradely method. This is geared towards people who want a hospital birth but want it to be as natural as possible, and have an educated supporting partner (spouse, doula, friend, other) by their side actively assisting them in labor. Very straightforward breathing exercises feature prominently and were very useful for me. I had an old edition of the "Natural Childbirth the Bradley Way", I think it is still in print.

It sounds like psychoprophylactic preparation for childbirth, ever since I remember, pregnant woman go to those curses from 5 +- month gestation. They teach them to breath, flexibility, fighting fatigue, reduce tension, and be relaxed, all with the purpose for a natural childbirth without anaesthetic. Books help to understand better the process.

A group psicologist once told us that the sensation/feeling of childbirth is comparable with an orgasm, every time I tell anyone they laugh, but last year a physician confirmed it, is due to the enormous effort from the mother, combined with the happines, there is the 2+2, of course, I hadn't, but I suppose that it starts in the mind, taking out prejudices, programs, predators. Like turtles, they "cry".

Thanks Hildergarda, I am going to check that out too. Fortunately, my sister does know English too.

 

[JonnyRadar]

With the qualification that I don't have children, I've been hearing a lot about this book lately in the high fat diet circles...

"The Better Baby Book - How to Have a Healthier, Smarter, Happier Baby"

http://www.amazon.com/dp/1118137132/?tag=googhydr-20&hvadid=42168837170&hvpos=1t1&hvexid=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=12123811585886308293&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=b&hvdev=c&ref=pd_sl_9o7cs564zd_b

 

[Gwenllian]

Here is an article written by Michel Odent:

http://naturalchild.org/guest/michel_odent.html

And more about water births:

http://naturalchild.org/guest/lakshmi_bertram2.html

http://naturalchild.org/guest/lakshmi_bertram.html

You can find many more articles about babies on that website. Most of them are enjoyable and readable IMO.

 

[HifromGrace]

In this case, she may relate more to the Bradley books on childbirth, and the Bradely method. This is geared towards people who want a hospital birth but want it to be as natural as possible, and have an educated supporting partner (spouse, doula, friend, other) by their side actively assisting them in labor. Very straightforward breathing exercises feature prominently and were very useful for me. I had an old edition of the "Natural Childbirth the Bradley Way", I think it is still in print.

This class is great, I highly recommend it & it's designed for couples to take together. You come out very educated on the cascade of medical interventions that are standard operating procedure in our hospitals.

The Bradly Method is more "politically neutral" vs coming across as very hippy & potentially reactionary/fearful of hospitals (as the books so far mentioned do - don't get me wrong, I have them and they were super dear to me. but if you aren't already preaching to the choir on home birth, you could easily turn someone off with their tone).

I don't know if I would have appreciated any books from well meaning relatives. I would have liked real conversations better, no advice, just good listening about my hopes & fears. In short, emotional support.

I already had my mind set on a natural home birth and was doing all my own research. But by all means, if she's leaning that way (as are the book suggestions here) recommend those books, just don't be pushy - it's such a personal journey, and it's so common that good intentions come across as insulting or hurtful, ya know, external consideration (she's probably surrounded by unsolicited advice on a daily basis, at least that's the social norm here in America, it's stressful).

Or better yet, start bringing over frozen meals for later use to help them with the transition of handling life with a newborn. (I'm only half joking about that one!)

You seem so sweetly & excited eager to help, it's really cool to see!! :)

Directly ask her what she needs, don't guess or assume. Looking back, that would have been really refreshing.

 

[HifromGrace]

Above Johnathan mentioned children's diets, The Weston Price Foundation is priceless for dietary advice, everything from homemade formula to feeding picky toddlers - and yes, it advocates a high fat diet. By & large, solid diet advice (if you skip grain info).

Here's a link to the kid's area, with a preview of their directory of articles listed below:
http://www.westonaprice.org/childrens-health/

Children’s Health
Between 1984-1991, our science editor Mary Enig served as an expert witness in several suits involving two brands of chloride-deficient soy formula, Neo-Mul-Soy and CHOFree, produced by a company called Syntex. The plaintiffs argued that by removing chloride (in the form of sodium chloride) from the formula, their children did not achieve their full intellectual potential. Mary testified that chloride was essential for the growth and development of the brain. Syntex went out of the infant formula business because of adverse publicity about their products.

A news article appearing after the trial quoted a juror who worked for a pet food company. “There is more quality control for pet food,” she said, “than for infant formula.”

At no time is quality control more important than during infancy, when the body is built, the endocrine system activated, and the brain and nervous system being formed. Yet our medical system assures us that the diet of a nursing mother does not affect the quality of her milk, and the formula makers warn us that only they can put a sanitary and scientific formula together for our babies.

Most practitioners are horrified at the thought of mothers making formula for their babies, citing the possibility of mistakes and contamination. But any mother who cares enough to make a whole foods baby formula will do so with far more care than the most reputable formula maker. Today’s cost-cutting measures and black market in formula put babies more at risk than ever.

There is no better example of the callousness of the formula industry than their promotion of soy-based formula, which is totally unsuitable for babies. In fact, during the Neo-Mul-Soy case, the defendants insisted that the Neo-Mul-Soy-fed babies be compared only with other soy-fed babies. They knew that a comparison with babies fed milk-based formula would make the whole soy product line look bad.

In the aftermath of the tragedy of September 11, Americans are reexamining their values. What better place to start than to take a clear-eyed look at the way we feed our young. Perhaps our new sensibilities will help parents realize that unhealthy foods and the desire for convenience place a terrible burden of poor health on the next generation. If we are to make the world a better place in which to live, we will need a generation of healthy, clear-thinking individuals. This can only be accomplished by quality control in our diets from the very beginning-before conception, during pregnancy, while breastfeeding and in the food choices we make for our children as they mature and grow.

A Breastfeeding Saga December 31, 2001
A Dietitian’s Experience January 18, 2011
A Tale of Two Mice January 11, 2013
Autism and Vaccinations March 16, 2004
Breastfeeding Discussion July 31, 2002
Calming the Cry of Colic August 24, 2006
Camp-Side Cuisine July 7, 2011
Celebrate Summer With a Pop June 26, 2009
Child Violence: Is Malnutrition the Cause? July 28, 2002
Children’s Health Introduction January 1, 2000
Cloth Diapers Made Simple…Promise! July 16, 2006
Cooking Kids Contest in Slovenia August 27, 2014
Cooking Traditionally with Little Time to Cook February 2, 2012
Diet for Pregnant and Nursing Mothers January 10, 2004
Dietary Recommendations for Children: A Recipe for Future Heart Disease? July 31, 2001
Down and Dirty with Kids in the Kitchen November 2, 2009
Eat Your Eggs and Have Your Chickens Too April 3, 2009
Enjoying Little Miss Muffet’s Curds and Whey May 1, 2009
Family Meal-Planning Strategies February 14, 2008
Fat and Cholesterol in Human Milk December 31, 2001
Feeding Babies December 31, 2001
Feeding the Family When It’s Too Hot to Cook June 28, 2010
Foods to Tantalize Toddlers & Preschoolers March 2, 2007
Formula – Homemade Baby Formula December 31, 2001
Formula – Homemade Baby Formula Testimonials March 19, 2009
Getting The Goods: Top Ten Tips February 12, 2009
Gut And Psychology Syndrome (GAPS) March 22, 2009
Healthy Baby Photo Gallery July 14, 2014
Healthy Pregnancy Presentation by Sally Fallon Morell December 20, 2011
Including Baby at the Family Table February 10, 2010
Is Mother’s Milk Sterile? Recent Research on Human Milk July 10, 2006
Is Raw Milk Safe for Babies? December 31, 2001
Making the Most of Autumn Abundance October 10, 2011
Modern Baby Books: Full of Bad Advice September 20, 2005
Modernizing Your Diet With Traditional Foods March 30, 2010
Morning Nourishment: Bountiful Benefits and Creative Ideas April 6, 2011
Nourishing a Growing Baby October 19, 2005
Packing the Perfect Lunch Box February 15, 2008
Peace February 9, 2003
Questions and Answers on Kids and Traditional Foods March 27, 2009
Sacred Foods for Exceptionally Healthy Babies …and parents , too! September 28, 2010
Soup-stenance March 27, 2012
Successful Breastfeeding …And Successful Alternatives December 31, 2001
Taking the “Icky” Out of Picky Eaters December 18, 2006
The Joys of Expanding Your Family and Staying Sane in the Process April 17, 2009
The Slow Cooker Rules March 22, 2009
Traditional Diets for Healthy Children August 9, 2010
Traditional Remedies for Childhood Illnesses March 22, 2009
Tricks of the Infant Food Industry December 31, 2001
Vaccinations July 18, 2012
Vaccinations: Parents’ Informed Choice November 7, 2005
Vitamin A for Fetal Development November 12, 2005
Vitamin D in the Infant: Requirements for Safety March 3, 2007
Vitamins for Fetal Development: Conception to Birth July 23, 2013
Who Needs Soda Pop with these Bodacious Beverages April 1, 2009
Zapping Sugar Cravings January 20, 2011

 

[Nancy2feathers]

Having had experience assisting in home births and hospital births, I would say drawing up a birth plan is important after being well informed. It`s also important to know what the hospital procedure is and ask direct questions to their protocol to both the caretaker and hospital. If she`s a first time mom, having a doula or childbirth coach can help greatly in facilitating the birth plan and takes pressure off of the partner (if partner is participating). Also most childbirth coaches are trained in labor support which means keeping mom at home for most of the labor with Much less intervention than from the hospital. Depending on the caregiver and hospital, once you arrive at the hospital it`s mostly out of your hands. If the hospital is close by and labor is going well at home with no complications, your best bet would be to get to the hospital in the last stage of labor when you`re ready to "push" the baby out! This has been my experience having attended over 300 births at home and in hospitals. My 3rd child (who is now 24) was born at home with a traditional midwife attending. I must say, it was a very empowering and spiritual experience that just doesn`t happen most times giving birth in a hospital setting.

 

[mabar]

I ended up phone calling her this morning, she is much better, and will return to work on Monday, told her about the links and books -will send the links in a few moments and told her, that, if she wants one/some, I will buy it for her, I have an amazon account, she does not.


Thanks Jonathan, went to the link you provided and it seems good, I am with the idea that breast feeding is the one and only first food the baby should eat, so then it should/advisable later be along within that line.

Thanks Mariama, although, she would not go for waterbirht, she was was interested in the website.

Thanks HifromGrace, for your personal experience recommendations, when we were at the phone, she told me about the “surrounded by unsolicited advice on a daily basis”, since she has only two months, doctor adviced her not to tell yet, but you know parents/acquaintances, “know” and had been asking questions and had been telling her this and that. She was even surprised that a co-worker-teacher “complain” that she was not informed that she was pregnant. And all of her students (elementary school, 2d and 6th grade) know she is pregnant, an student told her that he wanted to be her child's sponsor in his/her baptism, although cute intention, is part of the daily stressful days she will experience.

Yes, I think she is being stressed out by all of this, and she is starting.

Thanks for the link, will send her too.


Thanks Nancy2feathers for your words, your experience, if it was just for me, I will send you as childbirth coach to my sister, but there is the detail of different countries, and different bias. As far as I know, she is have an allopathic doctor combined with homeophatic one (a close aunt is homeophatic physician). I felt her at the phonecall overwhelm about the childbirth issue, I suppose is like HifromGrace says, apply external consideration. Hear and having conversations.

Wandering in amazon, found a book that could help her in her journey, perhaps some with similar circumstances will be of help.

Your Best Pregnancy : The Ultimate Guide to Easing the Aches, Pains, and Uncomfortable Side Effects During Each Stage of Your Pregnancy
_http://www.amazon.com/Your-Best-Pregnancy-Ultimate-Uncomfortable/dp/1936303612/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1421602177&sr=1-2&keywords=best+pregnancy+guide

 

[GAIA]

I don't have anything to add to the birthing books but as a mother of 3 little ones, I would love to share one thing that really helped out a lot. Baby sign language! Simple hand signs that you can do (easy to create yourself) with your baby to be able to communicate and understand better their needs. I used this with all three of my children (started when they were around 8-9 months) with great success. Their are many websites that explain how to do this, (just put in google, baby sign language) and I'm sure she could learn how to do them without buying a book. But if you would like a book, I could recommend Baby Signs by Linda Acredlo and Susan Goodwyn. It's a easy to read book, and a unique gift to give at the birth of a baby.
The main signs that I used with my babies were: Thirsty, Hungry, Milk, Water, Sleepy, Bed, Doll, All Done, Book, Help Me, Hug, Mom, Dad etc. And the beautiful thing about these signs, is when they start getting the hang of it, they will even start creating their own signs! Kids are so smart, and by using these signs you can communicate with your baby before they are able to talk, and that can really help out in otherwise frustrating moments with food, emotions, and bedtime.

Good luck to your sister, hope she has a great birth! :)

 

[HifromGrace]

GAIA - I'm so with you about baby sign language, used it with my boy and it is fantastic :)

Simply learning any hand word for "more" is a god send - the baby feels empowered in their wee world and you don't have to deal with grating whining. It also lays the ground work for back and forth communication.


Mabar - glad to hear your sister is doing well!!

 

[GAIA]

Yes HifromGrace, I agree, using it with my kiddies made such a difference, like you said, it can be sooo useful at feeding time, really knowing what the baby wants,...I even had a few experiences at night time, having the baby wake up and telling me it was afraid (nightmare) or on another occasion a 'tummy ache', it made all the difference in the world, I could act accordingly instead of just guessing what the fuss was about!