Pregnancy, Birth, Postpartum
The handouts on this website are for general information only, are supplemental to the classes I teach, and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual. Your caregiver should be consulted for advice with regard to your individual situation.
All handouts are copyright protected. For handouts not created by me, I have been given permission to reproduce for educational purposes only. Please respect all copyright laws.
If you have trouble downloading a handout or feel there is an inaccuracy please email me at heather@birthlore.com
Care Practices that Promote Normal Birth
- Six Steps to Safer Birth
- CIMS 10 Questions to Ask
- CIMS Mother Friendly Childbirth
- The Guide to Healthy Birth 2011
- Your Legal Rights
- Key Questions About Your Care
Preparing For Labor and Birth
- Choosing A Caregiver
- Choosing A Caregiver- Twins
- Choosing The Right Childbirth Class
- Creating A Support Team
- Exercises to Prepare for Labor and Birth
- 10 Prenatal Poses You Should Do Everyday
- Optimal Fetal Positioning
- The Win-Win Birth Plan
- Birth Plan Worksheet
- What to Pack for the Hospital
- Changing Providers
Eating For Two
- Eating A Well Balanced Diet
- What is a Whole Food
- Pesticides
- Food Additives/ Food Safety
- Seafood Fact Sheet
- Protein, Iron, Calcium Sources
Stages of Labor
- Stages of Labor- detailed class review
Coping Techniques
- Benefits of Relaxation
- Body Awareness
- Touch Relaxation
- Attention Focusing
- Bath and Showers in Labor
- Comfort in Labor
- Breathing Techniques
- Positions for Labor and Birth
- Backache in Labor
- If You Must Labor in Bed
- The Take Charge Routine
- Common Variations in Labor and Birth
- Strategies to Ease Painful Slow Labor
- Understanding Pain in Labor
- What is a TENS?
Pain Medications
- Pain Medication Preference Scale
- Narcotic Analgesics
- Epidural
- American Society of Anesthesiologists- Epidural
Interventions
Episiotomy
Induction/ Augmentation
Induction-The Cytotec Controversy
- Cytotec Induction
- The Misoprostol Controversy- MedScape
- Vaginal Misoprostol- Cochrane Library
- Package Insert
- FDA Alert
Cesarean
- What You Need to Know About Cesareans
- The Risks of Cesareans 2010
- CA Hospital Cesarean Statistics 2008
- Best Cesarean Possible
- Turning A Breech Baby- Holistic Techniques
- Turning A Breech Baby- External Version
Postpartum
- Preparations for Postpartum
- Postpartum Plan Worksheet
- Organizing Visitors and Support
- How to Get Enough Sleep
- Baby Blues
- Postpartum Mood Disorders
- Placenta Encapsulation
- Have a Happy Marriage
Bed Rest/ Preterm Labor/ NICU
- Risk Factors for Preterm Labor
- Questions to Ask Your Caregiver About Bed Rest
- Tips for Bed Rest
- Exercises for Bed Rest
- NICU Tips
- Ten Questions to Ask Your Neonatologist
Miscellaneous
- CA Family Leave Act
- Evidence Based Maternity Care
- How Accurate is Your Due Date
- Medical Doctor Complaint Procedure
- Herbs for Pregnancy
Heather’s Book Recommendations for Pregnancy, Birth and Postpartum
Favorites Listed First
Childbirth Preparation
Pregnancy Childbirth and The Newborn, by Simkin, Whalley, Keppler
and more…
Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth, by Ina May Gaskin
Birthing From Within, by England and Dr Horowitz
The Birth Partner, by Penny Simkin (For Coach/Partner/Dad)
The Thinking Woman’s Guide to a Better Birth, by Henci Goer
Postpartum
Mothering the Mother, by Sally Placksin
Overcoming Postpartum Depression and Anxiety, by Sebastian