The Birth Partner, Sixth Revised Edition: A Complete Guide to Childbirth for Dads, Partners, Doulas, and Other Labor Companions

(Paperback, Sixth Edition, Revised Edition)

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Description

The Birth Partner, 6th Revised Edition is an up-to-date, accessible resource for spouses, partners, and others who accompany an expectant mother through labor and birth, and an essential guide for doulas, midwives, and educators.

Since the original publication of The Birth Partner, more than a million people-from spouses, partners, relatives, and friends to doulas, nurses, midwives, and childbirth educators-have relied on Penny Simkin's clear, concise, authoritative, and warm-hearted guidance as they care for the new mother from her last trimester through the early postpartum period.
Including extensive updates on medical knowledge and practices, on changes in hospital and home-birth protocols, and on the role of parents' cultural backgrounds in shaping an ideal and satisfying birth plan, The Birth Partner remains the definitive guide to helping a woman through labor and birth, and the essential manual to have at hand during the event. Find thorough information on:
Preparing for labor and knowing when it has begun
Normal labor and how to help the woman every step of the way
Epidurals and other medications for labor
Pitocin and other means, including natural ones, to induce or speed up labor
Non-drug techniques for easing labor pain
Cesarean birth and complications that may require it
Breastfeeding and newborn care
and much more


For the partner who wishes to be truly helpful in the birthing room, this book is indispensable.

Author Bio

Penny Simkin, P.T., is a physical therapist, childbirth educator, doula, and birth counselor. She is nationally recognized as a premier authority on childbirth, having helped 9,000 expecting women and birth partners in childbirth and attended hundreds of couples though the birth process. Simkin is a prolific author and serves on more than ten different consultant and editorial boards, including the journal Birth: Issues in Perinatal Care, The International Childbirth Education Association, and The Seattle Midwifery School, where she also provides training for doulas and lectures for the students. She has written myriad books, journal and magazine articles. She is also co-founder of DONA International (formerly Doulas of North America) and The Pacific Association for Labor Support. In addition to providing childbirth education, birth counseling, and labor support, Simkin travels extensively throughout the country, lecturing and presenting at conferences and workshops. For more information, please visit Simkin's website at pennysimkin.com