Holistic Pregnancy and Childbirth

James Marti

Description

Holistic pregnancy and childbirth.

Your month-by-month guide to the latest therapies, techniques, and natural approaches.

For the most rewarding path to a comfortable pregnancy, a shorter labor, and the joyful delivery of a healthy baby, turn to this wise and warm compendium of proven holistic advice.

Approved by an advisory board of leaders in obstetrics and holistic medicine, this comprehensive book helps you make the birthing experience the most fulfilling and beautiful of your life. Let the journey begin. Monitor your physical changes and your baby s. Decide where you want to have your baby. Choose a holistic caregiver and prepare a birth plan. Design your optimum diet and personal exercise program. Discover today s holistic techniques for bonding, postpartum recovery, breast-feeding, and much more, including:
* Acupuncture and acupressure aromatherapy Ayurvedic medicine
* Bach flower remedies breathing techniques botanical medicine
* Chiropractic diet and nutrition exercise homeopathy
* Hydrotherapy hypnosis intimacy exercises massage
* Meditation osteopathy qigong traditional Chinese medicine
* Vitamin and mineral therapies yoga
The Holistic Program for Pregnancy and Childbirth.

The First Month.

The Second Month.

The Third Month.

The Fourth Month.

The Fifth Month.

The Sixth Month.

The Seventh Month.

The Eighth Month.

The Ninth Month.

Labor and Birth.

First Week Postpartum.

A Final Word.

Appendices.

Index.

Sujets

• Vie de famille
• Maternité
• Pregnacy
• Childbirth
• Health
• Fitness

Informations

• Publié par: Turner Publishing Company
• Date de parution: 02 mai 2008
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9780470349137
• Langue: English

Extrait

Holistic Pregnancy and Childbirth
Medical Advisory Board
Abel Jimenez, M.D. Founder and Director Regenesis Center Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

Yuan-Chi Lin, M.D. Assistant Professor of Anesthesia Stanford University Hospital Stanford, California

John Mabrey, M.D. Staff Physician CMQ Hospital Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

Larry Rose, M.D. State of California Department of Occupational Safety and Health Administration San Francisco, California

Steven Van Pelt, M.D. Department of Sports Medicine St. Francis Hospital San Francisco, California

Ed Weiss, M.D. Founder and Director Palo Alto Acupuncture Clinic Palo Alto, California
Holistic Pregnancy and Childbirth
J AMES M ARTI
with Heather Burton

John Wiley Sons, Inc.
New York Chichester Weinheim Brisbane Singapore Toronto
This book is printed on acid-free paper.
Copyright 1999 by James Marti. All rights reserved

Published by John Wiley Sons, Inc.
Published simultaneously in Canada.
Design and production by Navta Associates, Inc.
No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, scanning, or otherwise, except as permitted under Section 107 or 108 of the 1976 United States Copyright Act, without either the prior written permission of the Publisher, or authorization through payment of the appropriate per-copy fee to the Copyright Clearance Center, 222 Rosewood Drive, Danvers, MA 01923, [phone], fax [phone]. Requests to the Publisher for permission should be addressed to the Permissions Department, John Wiley Sons, Inc., 605 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10158-0012, [phone], fax [phone], E-Mail: [e-mail].
The information contained in this book is not intended to serve as a replacement for professional medical advice. Any use of the information in this book is at the reader s discretion. The author and publisher specifically disclaim any and all liability arising directly or indirectly from the use or application of any information contained in this book. A health care professional should be consulted regarding your specific situation.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data:
Marti, James
Holistic pregnancy and childbirth / James Marti, with Heather Burton.
p. cm.
Includes index.
ISBN 0-471-18509-4 (paper : alk. paper)
1. Pregnancy-Popular works. 2. Childbirth-Popular works. 3. Holistic medicine.
I. Burton, Heather. II. Title.
RG525.M3337 1999
618.2 4-dc21
98-27943
Printed in the United States of America

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
Important Note to Readers
This book should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice or care. Always consult a physician in matters relating to your health, especially during pregnancy. In particular, consult a medical professional before acting on any of the information or advice contained in this book or undertaking any form of self-treatment.
Altering medications or treatments can be very dangerous. Every person is different and has a different medical history, so please consult with your physician before starting, stopping, or changing any medical practices. Any side effects arising from suggestions in this book should be reported promptly to a physician. If you are concerned about any information presented here, discuss the benefits and risks with your doctor.
The information here regarding health care is the result of a review by the authors of relevant medical and scientific literature, which at times reflects conflicting conclusions and opinions. The authors have expressed their view on many of those issues; you should understand that other experts may disagree. In the event that you use this information without your doctor s approval, you are prescribing for yourself, and the publishers and authors disclaim all responsibility.
This book is dedicated to Beth Molesworth, who twenty-three years ago led the way- giving birth to a beautiful boy and, without knowing it, to this book.
C ONTENTS
A CKNOWLEDGMENTS
I NTRODUCTION
1 The Holistic Program for Pregnancy and Childbirth
T YPES OF H OLISTIC T HERAPIES
Acupuncture and Acupressure
Aromatherapy
Ayurvedic Medicine
Bach Flowers
Biofeedback
Botanical Medicine
Breathing
Chiropractic Medicine
Homeopathy
Hydrotherapy
Hypnosis
Intimacy
Massage
Meditation
Nutrition and Supplements
Osteopathic Medicine
Physical Activity
Qigong
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)
Visualization Methods
Yoga
G ETTING S TARTED
2 The First Month
C HOOSING Y OUR H OLISTIC C AREGIVER
C HOOSING Y OUR H OLISTIC B IRTH S ETTING
Y OUR H OLISTIC B IRTH P LAN
I NTERVIEWING Y OUR C AREGIVER
T HE F IRST -M ONTH C HECKUP
F ILLING O UT Y OUR M ONTHLY C HECKUP F ORM
C OMMON F IRST -M ONTH C ONCERNS
H OLISTIC A PPROACHES TO C OMMON F IRST -M ONTH C ONCERNS
B IRTH S CENARIOS
3 The Second Month
T HE S ECOND -M ONTH C HECKUP
H OLISTIC N UTRITIONAL G UIDELINES
R ECOMMENDED F OOD P LAN FOR P REGNANT W OMEN
H OLISTIC A PPROACHES TO C OMMON S ECOND -M ONTH C ONCERNS
4 The Third Month
T HE T HIRD -M ONTH C HECKUP
H OLISTIC E XERCISE P ROGRAM FOR P REGNANCY
H OLISTIC A PPROACHES TO C OMMON T HIRD -M ONTH C ONCERNS
5 The Fourth Month
T HE F OURTH -M ONTH C HECKUP
M INIMIZING Y OUR E XPOSURE TO H ARMFUL T OXINS
H OLISTIC A PPROACHES TO S TRENGTHENING THE I MMUNE S YSTEM
H OLISTIC B REATHING AND R ELAXATION E XERCISES
H OLISTIC A PPROACHES TO C OMMON F OURTH -M ONTH C ONCERNS
6 The Fifth Month
T HE F IFTH -M ONTH C HECKUP
C OMMON F IFTH -M ONTH C ONCERNS
H OLISTIC B EAUTY P ROGRAM
H OLISTIC A PPROACHES TO C OMMON F IFTH -M ONTH C ONCERNS
7 The Sixth Month
T HE S IXTH -M ONTH C HECKUP
H OLISTIC C HILDBIRTH C LASSES
H OLISTIC A PPROACHES TO C OMMON S IXTH -M ONTH C ONCERNS
8 The Seventh Month
T HE S EVENTH -M ONTH C HECKUP
C OMMON S EVENTH -M ONTH C ONCERNS
H OLISTIC A PPROACHES TO C OMMON S EVENTH -M ONTH C ONCERNS
9 The Eighth Month
T HE E IGHTH -M ONTH C HECKUP
C OMMON E IGHTH -M ONTH C ONCERNS
U NCOMMON C OMPLICATIONS
H OLISTIC A PPROACHES TO C OMMON E IGHTH -M ONTH C ONCERNS
10 The Ninth Month
N INTH -M ONTH W EEKLY C HECKUPS
C OMMON N INTH -M ONTH C ONCERNS
P REPARING FOR L ABOR AND C HILDBIRTH IN A DVANCE
H OLISTIC A PPROACHES TO L ABOR
H OLISTIC A PPROACHES TO C OMMON N INTH -M ONTH C ONCERNS
11 Labor and Birth
W HEN TO C ALL Y OUR C AREGIVER
H OLISTIC A PPROACHES TO THE F IRST AND S ECOND S TAGES OF L ABOR
S ECOND S TAGE OF C HILDBIRTH : P USHING AND D ELIVERY
T HIRD S TAGE OF C HILDBIRTH : D ELIVERING A FTERBIRTH
12 First Week Postpartum
M OM S P OSTPARTUM C HECKUP
B ABY S P OSTPARTUM C HECKUP
H OLISTIC A PPROACHES TO M OM S P OSTPARTUM S YMPTOMS
G ETTING B ACK IN S HAPE
B REASTFEEDING
H OLISTIC A PPROACHES TO C OMMON B ABY C ARE
A F INAL W ORD
A PPENDIX A: M ONTHLY C HECKUP F ORMS
A PPENDIX B: R EFERENCES
A PPENDIX C: S OURCES FOR M ORE I NFORMATION
A PPENDIX D: R ECOMMENDED D IETARY A LLOWANCES
I NDEX
A CKNOWLEDGMENTS
More than three years went into the preparation of this book. I am personally indebted to Heather Burton, founder of the Midwifery Alliance, for sharing her considerable knowledge of holistic therapy. Her careful research and meticulous editing and writing made this book possible, and her sense of humor and the materials from her childbirth classes were invaluable assets.
I am also grateful to the many health care professionals and organizations that answered queries, faxed us their guidelines, and provided insight and inspiration. Special thanks to the helpful staff at the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists; the American Academy of Pediatrics; the Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition; ASPO/Lamaze; the National Association of Childbirth Centers; Informed Birth and Parenting; the International Association of Parents and Professionals for Safe Alternatives in Childbirth; the International Childbirth Education Association; La Leche League International; and the San Francisco Medical Research Foundation. Special thanks must also be given to the specialists on the Medical Advisory Board for this book, who reviewed chapters and recommended holistic therapies. I am especially indebted to Drs. John Mabrey and Abel Jimenez who reviewed the entire manuscript and answered the publisher s queries prior to publication.
I also wish to thank the staff at the University of California at San Francisco Medical Library and at the Lane Medical Library at Stanford University who patiently helped us comb through hundreds of medical journals. Head Librarian Kathy Resnick at the Marin General Hospital Library was especially helpful in conducting a Medline search for the latest holistic approaches to pregnancy and childbirth used worldwide.
Thanks to Laurie Harper, my literary agent, who is the best at what she does-combining intelligence, competence, and a wry sense of humor-and found the perfect publisher.
I am also grateful to the pioneers of holistic medicine whose work inspired this book. In the last twenty-five years, the works of Drs. Herbert Benson, Joan Borysenko, Bernie Siegel, Andrew T. Weil, Dean Ornish, and Deepak Chopra have become internationally prominent. These holistic practitioners believe passionately in the remarkable power of the body to heal itself, and this book serves as a testament to their work.
Many personal friends also contributed to this book; without their support, inspiration, and diversion, I would surely have failed. Thank you, Frankie Stream and Karen McCrystal, for your conscientious editing. Thank you, Andrea Hine, for your graciousness and unequaled gentility. Thank you, Alan Davis, for being the best friend in the world. Thanks, David Grabill, for your friendship of thirty years. Thank you, Margit Bauer, for your hospitality. Thank you, Dr. Raphael Ornstein, for giving me my early edu