The Birth Partner 5th Edition (a Complete Guide To Childbirth For Dads, Partners, Doulas, And Other Labor Companions)

By (author) Simkin Penny
Short description/annotation
The Birth Partner is an 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.
Description

Since the original publication of The Birth Partner, partners, friends, relatives, and doulas have relied on Penny Simkin’s guidance in caring for the new mother, from her last trimester through the early postpartum period.

Now fully revised in its fifth edition, 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. The Birth Partner includes 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.

Review quote
“The quintessential guide for anyone having a baby or helping a woman through childbirth. An irreplaceable resource.”
Biographical note

Penny Simkin, PT, 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 10 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 to students. She has written myriad books, journal, and magazine articles. Simkin 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.

Endorsement
“In these days of fear-based maternity care, this book is an antidote. Employing the lessons and information provided, the birth partner, working with delivery staff (and hopefully with the support of a doula), can form a strategic alliance that will promote the mother’s desired birth experience.”
Endorsement
“This is the ultimate guide for mothers, birth coaches, and doulas. There is nothing else so complete, well balanced, and reassuring.”
Feature
Editions 1 through 4 established this title as a parenting best-seller. It is the definitive resource for professional doulas and other professional labor companions; author is a founder of, and still-active leader and lecturer in, the organization Doulas of North America.
Feature
The best-selling book for fathers and for other domestic partners who accompany mom. Also addresses mom''s mom, sisters, and friends. Covers both physical/medical issues as well as emotions and family dynamics.
Feature
Addresses and facilitates the entire spectrum of types of childbirth, from low-intervention, relatively natural births to births with maximum medical intervention, either by choice, or necessity.