Table of Contents
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 overview 3 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 childbirth 197 Katie Moriarty and Kennedy Sharp
Section 3 organizational approaches to supporting physiologic pregnancy and birth 227
12 Rethinking care on the hospital labor unit 229 Emily Higdon, Rachel Woodard, Kristin Rood and Heidi Jean Bernard
13 Out-of-hospital birth 251 Marsha E. Jackson and Alice Bailes
14 Educating health professionals for collaborative practice in support of normal birth 275 Melissa D. Avery, John C. Jennings and Michelle L. O’Brien
15 Women’s health and maternity care policies: Current status and recommendations for change 301 Heather M. Bradford
Resources for physiologic pregnancy and childbirth 331
Index 335
