Table of Contents
Acknowledgments 8
Foreword 9
Introduction 11
Chapter 1 Why Birth Matters 12
Chapter 2 A Culture of Life Is a Culture of Birth 17
Chapter 3 The Feminine Genius of Birth 24
Chapter 4 The Theology of the Body: A Theology of Birth 28
Chapter 5 Birth Fallen, Birth Redeemed 33
Chapter 6 The Design of Birth 41
Chapter 7 The Birth of a Father 57
Chapter 8 Choosing Your Care Provider 64
Chapter 9 Choosing Where to Birth 73
Chapter 10 Your Birth Team 81
Chapter 11 Preparing All of You for Your Birth 93
I Body - Physical Preparation for Your Birth 96
II Mind - Learning the Truth, Unlearning the Lies 106
III Heart - Addressing Emotions and Wounds before Birth 113
IV Soul - Supernatural Preparation for Birth 120
Chapter 12 Encountering the Work of Labor 130
Chapter 13 The Choices of Childbirth 147
Chapter 14 Grace-Filled Birth: Inviting God into the Birth Room 175
Chapter 15 The Cesarean Birth 184
Chapter 16 Options for Your Newborn 199
Chapter 17 Protecting the Postpartum Period 207
Chapter 18 Claiming Your Story: Processing the Joy or Pain of Your Birth 218
Chapter 19 Loss 229
Chapter 20 Breastfeeding Your Baby 243
Chapter 21 Naming and Claiming Your Baby 248
Chapter 22 Born in Grace: Birth Stories from Catholic Moms 253
Appendices
Appendix A Prayers 291
Appendix B Scripture 294
Appendix C Saint Quotes 299
Appendix D Resources 302
Notes 305
