Pregnancy, Birth and Beyond: A Spiritual and Practical Guide

by Erika Gradenwitz-Koehler

Overview

Pregnancy and child birth bring about significant physical changes and challenges. Most parents, however, also have spiritual and philosophical questions which most pregnancy books don't address. Pregnancy, Birth and Beyond covers both the practical and spiritual aspects of having a child. Erika Gradenwitz-Koehler explains how diet, state of mind and the desire for a child can all affect chances of conception. She gives advice for a healthy pregnancy in body, soul and spirit and helps prepare parents for the physical and emotional experience of birthing. Chapters on infant care include advice for nurturing the spirit, as well as discussing feeding and emotional attachment. This is a comprehensive but alternative guide to all aspects of conception, pregnancy, birth and infant care.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781782501442
Publisher:	Floris Books
Publication date:	07/15/2014
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	192
File size:	1 MB

About the Author

Erika Gradenwitz-Koehler is a diplomat and body-mind specialist in the Netherlands, where she runs regular rebalancing workshops. She has two children and is involved in the Waldorf school in The Hague. Marie Hobbs-Vijendran is a chemical engineer by training and worked for ten years as a management consultant. After the birth of her own children, she felt drawn to work with expectant parents and for the last seven years has run courses on mindful birth preparation.

Table of Contents

Preface 9

Part I Becoming Pregnant

Conception 15

Nutrition for Conception 17

Harmful Substances 26

Timing of Sexual Intercourse 28

Your Mental State 31

Age and Medical Indications 35

Assisted Conception 37

The Child's Perspective 39

Part II Pregnancy and Birth

What Actually Happened? 47

The Embryo 54

Child, Mother and Father Week by Week 60

Nutrition During Pregnancy 90

Morning Sickness 95

Caring for Your Body 97

Physical Exercise 98

Sex 100

Relaxation 102

Birth Preparation 106

The Onset of Labour 112

Check-List for Partners 115

First Stage of Labour 117

Birthing Phase 124

Birth 126

Part III Beyond

Caring for Yourself and Your Partner 135

Care of the Baby 136

Breastfeeding 141

Solid Foods for Your Child 145

Checks and Vaccinations 150

Returning to Paid Work 151

Child Development 153

The Baby's Brain 155

Sleep 158

Play 159

Communication 162

Health 167

Parenthood 169

Bibliography and Recommended Reading 175

Acknowledgements 177

About the Author 179

Index 181

Editorial Reviews

'Throughout Gradenwitz-Koehler beautifully and clearly combines the latest discoveries of science and embryology with the spiritual dimension, showing integrity and sincerity towards the full human being about to be born... She is consistently warm, patient and caring, integrating her research with her life experience which makes us feel safe in her hands. I would recommend this book to all parents and carers and anyone who is considering having children, struggles to become pregnant or finds themselves with a child wondering what on earth to do with them.'
– New View

From the Publisher