Freebirth - Self-Directed Pregnancy and Birth

Sarah Schmid ist Ärztin, Autorin und sechsfache Mutter. Mit Sachkenntnis und Sympathie entmystifiziert sie Schwangerschaft und Geburt. Ihr Buch "Alleingeburt" gibt Sicherheit durch Wissen und schafft stabiles Vertrauen in den eigenen Körper.

Introduction 9In the beginning. 10My journey to freebirth 11What to expect from this book 18About responsibility, fear and safety 19Responsibility and other people's fear 20Dealing with your own fears 21The question of safety 23Nutrition as key for healthy pregnancy and birth 29The recipe for success from ancient civilisations 30Rule 1: Sugar: very little and natural 30Rule 2: Carefully prepared grains 30Rule 3: The whole animal is edible 31Rule 4: Fat is best 31Rule 5: Dirt is not the enemy 32Rule 6: Sauerkraut as medicine 33Rule 7: Daily consumption of raw milk 33Rule 8: Particular foods that prepare for pregnancy 33Important vitamins and minerals for pregnancy and breastfeeding 34Calcium and Vitamin D 34Magnesium 34Iron 34Zinc 35Vitamin B6 35Vitamin B12 35Folic Acid 35Practical Pregnancy 37Pregnant? 38What happens in the weeks of pregnancy? 38About moods and sensitivities 39The best care 39Finding a good midwife 40Doula, friend, partner - different considerations about your birth partner 42When you need an obstetrician 42What do your notes actually mean? 43The estimated date of birth (EDB/EDD) 43Your history, general test results and pregnancy specific test results 43Screening for sexually transmitted infections - syphilis, HIV, hepatitis B, chlamydia 44Screening for gestational diabetes - Glucose Tolerance Test, urinalysis 44Rubella Titre 45Screening for pre-eclampsia - urinalysis, blood pressure, weight 45Haemoglobin (iron) levels 46Determining your blood group and rhesus factor 46Screening for chromosomal abnormalities, hereditary diseases and malformations 48Group B Streptococcus 48Urinalysis for leukocytes and red blood cells 49Fetal position and presentation, fundus, heartbeat and other pregnancy checks 49Ultrasound 51Possible models of care 53Common pregnancy ailments 53Nausea 53Sciatica 54Varicose veins 54The symphysis and other joints 55Stretch marks 56Constipation 56Muscle cramps 56Dental caries 57Self-directed Pregnancy 57What position is the baby in? 57Breech presentation 61Transverse and oblique lie 63Other ways to determine the baby's position 63Where is the placenta? 65Is the baby well? 66Freebirth for a first baby? 66Is it twins? 67Bleeding 68When pregnancy ends too soon 69Preparation for birth 70What do I need for a self-directed birth? 70Perineal massage? 71Traumatic and unpleasant previous birth experiences 72Practice run in your mind 72Practical Birth 75To start with: good and bad births? 76A completely physiological birth 77First stage of labour 78Transition 79Second stage of labour 79Third stage of labour 80'Rest and be thankful' phase 80Birth on land 80Birth in water 82What if. 82. I am overdue? 82. the baby is big? 84. my waters break but contractions don't start immediately? 84. I go into labour too soon? 85. contractions are painful but labour does not progress? 85. there is a cord prolapse? 87. I have an anterior lip of cervix, like I did during a previous birth? 88. there is fetal distress and I don't notice? 89. there is meconium? 89. the shoulders get stuck? 90. the cord is around baby's neck? 90. the baby doesn't breathe? 91. the baby inhales some of the amniotic fluid? 92. the placenta takes a long time to come out? 92. I bleed heavily after the birth? 94Birth and pain 98Protecting the perineum, episiotomy and perineal tears 99Cutting the cord - how, when and what with? 101Checking the placenta 104Freebirth under difficult circumstances 105When you don't have any support 105Freebirth and breech presentation 106Freebirth after caesarean section 108If you have to go to hospital 110Plan B - Emergency Birth Plan 112The legal side 113The chapter for men, by men 115Our journey to freebirth, together 116'I could not manage to get rid of my fears.' 117When the midwife makes a mistake - an interview 120The baby is born 123The first hour with your newborn 124Breastfeeding and the family bed 125Carrying, swaddling and calming 128Growth spurts 130Pee and poo 130Your body before and after 132Lochia 134Hormones and emotions 135"Well-meaning" advice from others 135Official business: Registering the birth 136Self-directed Mothering 136When will you have the next one? 137Freebirth - Mothers tell their stories 139Call to action 140The unplanned freebirth: When the baby is faster 140The half planned freebirth: When being alone turns out to be right 141The planned freebirth: Celebrating your freedom and birthing power 141Antenatal care 142Unusual situations and complications 143Freebirth with obstacles 144Small and still freebirths 144The mothers in this book 145Unplanned, half planned and planned freebirths 147Freebirths with obstacles 209Small and still freebirths 217Appendix 231Recommended reading 232Further websites 232Thanks 239