Table of Contents

About the Podcast
Introduction
Preparing for Pregnancy
When Should I Start Preparing for Birth?
Quick Guide to Pregnancy Scans and Tests

Chapter 1: The First Trimester
The First Trimester at a Glance
Your Estimated Due Date
Essential Care
Mental Preparation: Managing Overwhelm
It's Time to Check in with Your GP
Choosing a Care Provider
Birthing on Country for First Nations Women and Families
Common Symptoms in the First Trimester
Yoga in Pregnancy
How Your Body is Changing, How Your Baby is Growing
Twins and Triplets
Pregnancy After Infertility
Miscarriage

Chapter 2: The Second Trimester
The Second Trimester at a Glance
Essential Care
Letting Go of Fear
Mental Preparation: Cultivating Trust
Perinatal Depression and Anxiety
Informed Choice and Knowing Your Rights
Your Booking-in Appointment
Navigating Physical Change
Eating Disorders in Pregnancy
Pregnancy and Your Pelvic Floor
Common Symptoms in the Second Trimester
Your Baby's Movements Matter
Exercise in Pregnancy
Pregnancy and Your Finances
How Your Body is Changing, How Your Baby is Growing

Chapter 3: The Third Trimester
The Third Trimester at a Glance
Essential Care
Mental Preparation: Preparing to Surrender
Birth and Postpartum Preparation
Your Birth Plan
Common Symptoms in the Third Trimester
Serious Pregnancy Conditions
Perineal Massage
Posterior Babies
Breech Babies
Preparing to Breastfeed
Preparing to Formula Feed
Zwischen: The Last Days of Pregnancy
How Your Baby is Growing
Premature Birth

Chapter 4: Labour and Birth
Physiological Birth
Create a Low-stress Birth Setting and Keep Oxytocin Flowing
Fear-Tension-Pain Cycle
When Your Waters Break
Stages of Labour
Contractions, Your Cervix and the Positive Feedback Loop
Monitoring During Labour
The Pain-relief Steps
Tears, Grazes and Episiotomies
Vaginal Breech Birth
Instrumental Birth - Forceps and Vacuum
How to Support a Woman in Labour
Induction
Third Stage
Caesarean Birth and Recovery
Vaginal Birth After Caesarean (VBAC)
After Birth
Stillbirth and Early Infant Loss

Chapter 5: Early Postpartum
Early Postpartum at a Glance
Essential Care
Postpartum Bleeding
Preventing and Treating Mastitis
Take Good Care

Glossary
Acknowledgements
Resources
Notes
Index

About the Author

Sophie Walker is the founder of Australian Birth Stories, which includes the #1 podcast for birth and postpartum advice (10m+ downloads) and an online education hub offering support and guidance from pre-conception through to the first 12 months. She has a master's degree in public health, is a mum of three and is passionate about empowering women on their journey into motherhood.

Jodi Wilson is a writer and prenatal yoga teacher who works alongside Sophie on the Australian Birth Stories podcast. This is her second book.

Reviews

'Excellent and empowering. A must-read before conception' Dr Lionel Steinberg, Obstetrician and Gynaecologist

'A book full of the wisdom of birth stories. Accessible, conversational and wise . . . a celebration.' Hannah Dahlen AM, Professor of Midwifery