Stand and Deliver!: And other Brilliant Ways to Give Birth

Stand and Deliver!: And other Brilliant Ways to Give Birth
Emma Mahony

A book full of practical information on choosing the best type of birth experience for you and your baby and what to do in the final 8 weeks to prepare. Full of humour and encouraging birth stories, every mother-to-be will find it invaluable.• Emma Mahony, humorous Times columnist whose Double Trouble stories about her two young twins charmed the nation, now gives you a first book on birth and the 8-week run-up to it. Taking a practical but lighthearted approach, she helps every new mother-to-be feel in control and ready for the big day.• With positive stories from women who insisted on the right birth for them, as well as advice from experts in the field of childbirth, such as midwives, obstetricians and advocates of natural and water births.Includes:• Why a good birth experience is a great objective• How and why it’s best to avoid a ‘medicalised’ birth• Everything you need to know about Caesarians• What every woman is entitled to before labour• How to write a birth plan and why it is useful• Illustrated throughout with lighthearted cartoons from The Times’ front page cartoonist.

STAND & DELIVER

And Other Brilliant

Ways to Give Birth

Emma Mahony

Dedication (#ulink_0ee4d491-57d1-5b54-a17a-bb74d43554c3)

For my mother,

who was there from the very beginning

Epigraph (#ulink_ff02a93f-a0c1-5987-9fce-6193d1e81426)

Sorry you can’t define me, sorry I break the mould, Sorry that I speak my mind, sorry don’t do what I’m told, Sorry if I don’t fake it, sorry I curse for real, I will never hide what I really feel.

Christina Aguilera, Stripped, 2003

The great thing about childbirth is that it is the last time you can behave appallingly, swear, lay down the law, shriek, groan and bash your husband in the chest, and be forgiven. You are the star, the primadonna; make the most of it. Once the new star arrives, to the sound of your last furious swearword, you will have to behave again, and be gentle and self-sacrificing. Enjoy your last fling.

Libby Purves, How Not to Be a Perfect Mother, 2004

Contents

Cover (#uc8ee7a1d-1aa2-57cf-9f6b-a73178fcdd02)

Title Page (#ua1ce15a8-65a7-5831-a0ed-4eb104391d58)

Dedication (#u6fa8b6d0-889e-5ae5-ae38-e2f41ec0f579)

Epigraph (#ud742a00d-bb3e-503e-a515-534660a00c1b)

Ten Great Things About Birth (#u499b4356-8315-56bc-93c0-f5e8221c4417)

Introduction (#u4a58f8ff-50c2-5b63-b1f2-19f7420992ca)

FIRST STAGE - LET’S START AT THE VERY BEGINNING … (#u1aabfcda-54ad-54d2-93ee-3845afbb75d7)

Chapter 1 … A Very Good Place to Start (#u7a6b5272-6414-575a-827c-7d9b62159034)

Chapter 2 Let’s Talk about Sex, Baby (#u8c0081d2-0da9-513c-a056-79fc9400a8c0)

Chapter 3 My Body Is a Temple (#u9a83ae94-2b07-5f5a-b3da-6e4943fcf29f)

Chapter 4 Free Your Mind (and Your Ass Will Follow) (#ud04e2407-93f5-5591-8826-bfdd41eea6a6)

Chapter 5 Can You Feel It? (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter 6 Away with the Fairies (#litres_trial_promo)

SECOND STAGE - BIRTH STORIES: BRILLIANT WAYS TO GIVE BIRTH (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter 7 Introduction: Water, Water Everywhere (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter 8 Water Birth in Hospital (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter 9 Water Birth at Home (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter 10 Laughter Birth (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter 11 Standing Birth (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter 12 Induction Birth (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter 13 Hoot Hoot Hout Birth (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter 14 IVF Birth (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter 15 Breech Birth (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter 16 Twin Birth (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter 17 Epidural Birth (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter 18 Yoga Births (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter 19 Caesarean Birth (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter 20 Vaginal Birth after Caesarean (VBAC) (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter 21 Helping Hands: Useful Contacts (#litres_trial_promo)

THIRD STAGE - EIGHT WEEKS TO GO (#litres_trial_promo)

Week 32: Where Do I Want to Give Birth? (#litres_trial_promo)

Week 33: Antenatal Classes (#litres_trial_promo)

Week 34: Know Your Birth Rights (#litres_trial_promo)

Week 35: Write Your Birth Plan (#litres_trial_promo)

Week 36: Tour the Hospital (#litres_trial_promo)