Suggestions for Info for Supportive MIL

[punkprincessmama]

We are planning a homebirth for this baby, and my MIL is coming from overseas to be our toddler's support person. MIL is very excited and supportive of our choices which is wonderful. She would like more info about the birth process, what to expect etc. and dh and I are very grateful for this. We want her to be completely comfortable and able to enjoy the experience and handle any questions dd may have in a calm way.

I am looking for websites, books, mag articles etc. to send MIL -- specifically info regarding the stages of labor, emotional signposts, what to expect from a homebirth (as compared to hospital birth) Short and sweet would be best, I don't want her to feel overwhelmed by a barrage of info.

Thanks mamas

ETA~I want some info on the normal progression of labor / stages of labor / emotional signposts of labor because my MIL has never experienced giving birth. My dh is her adopted son and she lost a son at six months gestation.

[JanetF]

Hi and congratulations on having a birth to look forward to and some family support
Check out my web site for loads of stuff that you can give her in bite-sized chunks. There's also a brilliant site where women talk about their HB experiences in response to Thandie Newton's article in O magazine. Can't find the link right now but I bet you could google it up. It's very moving.
My site is
http.www.joyousbirth.org
All the best,
J

[mija]

I would recommend "the birth partner" by penny simkin.

[Mama Bee]

My midwife suggested these links for my MIL who will also be our son's support person. HTH!

The Medical Literature on the Safety of Homebirth

http://www.changesurfer.com/Hlth/homebirth.html

Summaries of homebirth studies



Safety: How Homebirth Measures Up

http://www.nchomebirth.com/art-safety.html



Links to lots of studies

http://www.gentlebirth.org/ronnie/homesafe.html



Is homebirth for you?

http://www.gentlebirth.org/format/myths.html



Home Birth and Out-of-Hospital Birth: Is it Safe? How Safe is that Hospital Anyway?
http://www.gentlebirth.org/ronnie/homejjg.html


Citizens for Midwifery Fact Sheets

http://www.cfmidwifery.org/Citizens/resources/

[punkprincessmama]

many thanks mamas i will check out the links. Also, I edited my OP to include some more info. on my MIL.

any more suggestions?

[Defenestrator]

I like Birth Your Way by Sheila Kitzinger. It is definitely from a British point of view and talks about their health system, but it is all about giving birth outside of hospitals in birth centers and at home and covers practical matters, emotional challenges and safety issues. It is a very straightforward book great for someone new to the idea of out of hospital birth. It also makes out of hospital birth sound totally normal, which of course it is.