Supporting a Physiologic Approach to Pregnancy and Birth

Contributors ix
Foreword by Holly Powell Kennedy xi
Acknowledgments xiii
Section 1 Understanding a physiologic approach 1
1 The case for a physiologic approach to birth: an overview3
Melissa D. Avery
2 The physiology of pregnancy, labor, and birth 13
Cindy M. Anderson
3 A supportive approach to prenatal care 29
Carrie E. Neerland
4 Supporting a physiologic approach to labor and birth 49
Lisa Kane Low and Rebeca Barroso
Section 2 Interventions and approaches 77
5 Promoting comfort: a conceptual approach 79
Kerri D. Schuiling
6 Continuous labor support 91
Carrie E. Neerland
7 Techniques to promote relaxation in labor 105
Kathryn Leggitt
8 Touch therapies in pregnancy and childbirth 119
Deborah Ringdahl
9 Water immersion for labor and birth 157
Michelle R. Collins and Dawn M. Dahlgren-Roemmich
10 Aromatherapy in pregnancy and childbirth 173
Linda L. Halcón
11 Acupressure and acupuncture in pregnancy and childbirth197
Katie Moriarty and Kennedy Sharp
Section 3 organizational approaches to supporting physiologicpregnancy and birth 227
12 Rethinking care on the hospital labor unit 229
Emily Higdon, Rachel Woodard, Kristin Rood and Heidi JeanBernard
13 Out-of-hospital birth 251
Marsha E. Jackson and Alice Bailes
14 Educating health professionals for collaborative practice insupport of normal birth 275
Melissa D. Avery, John C. Jennings and Michelle L.O'Brien
15 Women's health and maternity care policies: Currentstatus and recommendations for change 301
Heather M. Bradford
Resources for physiologic pregnancy and childbirth 331
Index 335