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The Paper Midwife

Sensible and comprehensive advice on care in labor, birth and postpartum. Ideal for families wanting to take more responsibility for their own birth experience. Price includes free shipping!

$27.00

Do you want to take more responsibility for your baby’s birth?

Do you need a comprehensive how-to guide, with details such as how to do your own pregnancy care and what you need to know for labor and birth and birth without professional support?

First published in 1980, this little gem is one of the simplest but most comprehensive how-to books about birth. Aimed at families who want to take responsibility for their homebirth, the Paper Midwife gives extensive information about preparing for birth, from pregnancy and labor through to postpartum information and advice, including newborn care.

The Paper Midwife was written by Ingrid and Paul Johnson, who gave birth unassisted, and then became involved in birth support and education, while living in Canada. It is designed to stand in, when a midwife is not present, and is one of the best available resources for families considering an unassisted birth.

The Paper Midwife has comprehensive and very practical information to guide couples through pregnancy, birth, and post-partum. Topics include nutrition, sexuality in pregnancy, alternatives to drugs, preparing the birth kit, sterilizing, recognizing the stages of labor, management of labor, APGAR scores, delivery of the placenta, care of mother and baby, breastfeeding, immunization, and parenting.

The appendix has an excellent section on problem solving in pregnancy, labour and birth, including resuscitation of mother and baby.

As the authors wisely state “It is not merely the birth of a child, but is surely the Birth of the Family.”

18 chapters
94 pages

Sarah’s comments:

I was excited to discover that The Paper Midwife is still in print, and am very pleased to offer it from my website.

I first read it as a well-worn copy, borrowed from a midwife friend, who gives this book to those far-distant clients whose births she may not get to in time. It was immensely valuable for me in preparing for the unassisted birth of my fourth baby, Maia, giving me information in a simple and practical format and teaching me some simple aids for birth: for example, taking extra vitamins C, E, and calcium at the start of labour to help with pain and to protect my baby’s brain during labour. It also demystifies some medical jargon and procedures and, even though 25 years old, is more practical and valuable than most modern pregnancy and birth books.