A Labour of Love: a guide to natural childbirth without fear

This is a must-read book if you want to create an empowered, positive and calm birth that teaches you how to surrender, breathe and focus within, where fear has no place to be. Full of birth wisdom and experience of having three water births, and attending over 450 births over 25 years, author Gabrielle Targett offers tips, techniques, education and stories from real women whom she assisted to birth in an empowered way. This book also focuses on educating your partner and birth support people on how to support you 100%.

In a culture where women are inundated with information this book is so refreshing and honest, written in 'lay terms' by Australian author Gabrielle, who undeniably is incredibly knowledgeable and knows exactly what it takes to create an empowered birth, where women know how to surrender and let go and actually love their labour experience.
This is a must-read book for the preparation of your own labour filled with love. Every chapter has been written to empower and assist women to really understand how to surrender, let go and breathe in labour, which are the fundamental skills necessary to labour in a calm relaxed way.

Gaby Targett, in her marvellously sensitive book is addressing the need for women and their partners to move back to the ‘Natural Childbirth’ movement, giving self-managed, safe and happy choices back to women. It is also about giving men a clear understanding of their vital role, so they too feel empowered and able to assist more efficiently with less interference.
Leigh Dick-Read M. App.Sc, PhD, Father, Son of Grantly Dick-Read (author of Childbirth Without Fear) natural childbirth educator, psychotherapist
Here is a glimpse into the chapter content…
• Planning for the big day – it is never too early to plan ahead
• The importance of being physically fit
• Understanding the power of pregnancy and labour hormones
• What women need to be aware of when choosing to use an opiate pain-relief (should you need to)
• Avoiding the fear–tension–pain syndrome
• Understanding your uterus
• Changing the birthing room to suit your needs and progress your labour
• What are the benefits of having a natural childbirth?
• Natural pain-relief methods- what choices do you have?
• HypnoBirthing® – what is it and how does it work?
• Choosing and educating your birth support people
• Choosing the right birth support or doula for you
• What do you do when labour starts?
• established labour means you are on your labour journey
• The perineum – how to stretch it, look after it, and avoid an episiotomy or tear
• The arrival of your cherub – what happens next?
• Breastfeeding – the nectar from the gods!

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