Supporting a Physiologic Approach to Pregnancy and Birth: A Practical Guide

by Melissa D. Avery (Editor)

"Supporting a Physiologic Approach to Pregnancy and Birth: A Practical Guide" provides an overview of current evidence and a range of practical suggestions to promote physiologic birth within the United States healthcare system. Presenting the latest evidence available on practical approaches and minimal interventions, this book looks into clinic exam rooms and hospital labor units to investigate the possibilities for improving the pregnancy and labor experience. Contributors discuss recent research and other published information and present a range of ideas, tools, and solutions for maternity care clinicians, including midwives, nurses, physicians, and other members of the perinatal team. An invaluable resource, "Supporting a Physiologic Approach to Pregnancy and Birth "is a must-have practical guide for those involved in all aspects of pregnancy and birth.

360 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2013

Reviews

[Lorilin]

I absolutely love how woman-and-baby-centered the authors of this book are while discussing the processes of pregnancy, labor, and delivery. I've delivered three different babies in three different states with three different doctors--all without pain medication. I've had the "old-school" doctor who chastised me during labor, routinely checked my progress while I was in the middle of contractions (even though I asked him not to), and gave me an episiotomy I didn't want. And I've had more "progressive" doctors who talked to me with respect, gave me space to listen to my body, and allowed for a much more calm birthing experience. As a result, there is no doubt in my mind that the attitudes of the doctors and nurses in the delivery room--and, specifically, how willing they are to let the mother be in charge--make a huge difference in how a woman experiences birth.

I thought the practical advice given in this book was spot on. I agree that most people see childbirth as something to fear. Unfortunately, there is a tendency to focus on the pain and all the things that could go wrong, which makes it difficult for women to feel confident in their ability to endure the process. Not to mention the fact that it is near impossible to relax and concentrate on managing discomfort when you have a nurse sticking an IV in your arm and then another wrapping a baby monitor around your belly and then a doctor checking your cervix every hour. While labor is a painful experience, to be sure, I agreed with one author who said that it is also entirely possible to feel pain that is natural and expected while still feeling comfort, confidence, and control. A big part of being okay with the pain of labor is feeling supported by calm medical professionals, friends, and family members, etc., who believe in your ability to experience a healthy and normal delivery.

Ultimately, I really agreed with this book's general theme to leave a laboring woman alone! Let her call the shots. Try not to intervene as much as possible. And trust her to know her own body. I understand that things go wrong during pregnancy and delivery, which is why I've always delivered in a hospital. But I do agree that medical professionals can learn something from this book about trusting in--and even deferring to--a woman's innate ability to perform the natural function of carrying and birthing a child.