Spiritual Midwifery

Spiritual Midwifery by Ina May Gaskin

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.

Replacement Value: $47

Contents
How We Started Amazing Birth Tales To the Parents faking Care of Yourself While You're Pregnant 221
Preparing Yourself for the Birth 228
You and Your Baby 242
III. Instructions to Midwives 269
The Spiritual Midwife 270
1. The Essential Anatomy of the Mother
2. The Baby and Its Life-Support System 289
3. Prenatal Care 301
4. Determining the Relation of the Baby to the Mother's Pelvis 320
5. The Physiology and Management of Normal Labor at Home 330
6. Tending to the Baby 363
7. Follow-Up Care of the Mother and Newborn 367
8 Injuries and Repairs of the Pelvic Floor 374
9. Asphyxia in the Newborn 378
10. Breech Presentation and Delivery 384
11. Unusual Presentations and Positions 397
12. Multiple Pregnancy and Birth 400
13. Complications of Pregnancy 405
14. Diseases That May Complicate Pregnancy 415
15. Complications of Labor 425
16. Birth Injuries 433
17. Congenital Abnormalities 434
18. Tidbits on Energy and Attitude 440
19. Necessary Nursing Skills 446
20. Equipment and Supplies 449
21. Self-Care for Women 454
22, The Mother-Friendly Childbirth Initiative
23. Especially for Doctors
IV. Appendices A. Statistics for 2,028 Pregnancies from 1970 to 2000 468
13. Further Reading 469 Resources Index