Freebirth - Self-Directed Pregnancy and Birth

Having a baby, just like that? Without hospital, midwife or instructions to push? Babies are sometimes born before the midwife can get there and when that happens, everyone involved is usually happy everything went well despite the lack of professionals. But how does it work for women who consciously decide to have a so-called freebirth and decline antenatal care as well as conventional monitoring by birth professionals? Sarah Schmid explains how to make self-directed birth a joyous experience. She also answers important questions around taking responsibility for your own pregnancy and birth, such as: How can I improve my health during pregnancy? How can I determine the babys position myself and optimise it? Is it possible to know if my baby is well without listening to the heartbeat? What can I do if my labour does not progress? What do I do if the cord is around the babys neck? What should I do if there is meconium in the amniotic fluid? Freebirth after caesarean birth or with a breech baby - is it possible? Can I give birth by myself even if the pregnancy ends too soon? In Freebirth Sarah Schmid provides a healthy dose of basic medical knowledge and dispels scary myths about birth. This also makes Freebirth valuable for those women planning to birth their babies in a conventional setting, as well as for birth professionals. Also in this book: Numerous illustrations personal stories by over 30 mothers about planned and unplanned freebirths, including photos helpful tips for the early days with a newborn * Trust your feelings and ask 1000 questions when it comes to the birth of your baby. Good births are not easy to find, only the best is good enough for you! (Caroline, 37, freebirth after previous caesarean section) Birth means becoming a woman and discovering the roaring lioness within yourself. (Beatrice, 36, two freebirths) Birth is part of life and it is not something that requires surveillance. (Sarah, 32, three freebirths)

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