Nothing beats taking an informative, comfortable class to learn more about giving birth and caring for your new baby.

If you want to know more though, here are some resources you might find helpful.  

Local Groups/Services

  • The Birth Circle, www.athensbirthcircle.com, for pregnancy/birthing and parenting support in Athens, Ohio
  • La Leche League, www.llli.org, for breastfeeding support
  • Mamaology, www.mamaology.com, for pregnancy/birthing and parenting support in Marietta, Ohio
  • O'Bleness Hospital, 740-592-9364, for info on free breastfeeding classes
  • Athens County Public Library, www.myacpl.org, for play groups and story times for kids of different ages at all branches
  • Athens County WIC/Family Healthcare Inc., for services for pregnant women and babies, including breastfeeding help, 740-797-2352
  • Claudia Bashaw, Doula, claudiabashaw@yahoo.com, 740-767-3348
  • Laura Post, lp342300@ohio.edu, pre-natal yoga classes
  • Crysta Bourden, Doula, crystabourden@yahoo.com, 740-568-0134
  • Catherine Lachman, Postpartum Doula, clachman@gmail.com

Web Sites

www.lamaze.org
www.childbirthconnection.org
www.marchofdimes.org
www.mayoclinic.com
www.breastfeedinginc.ca (Dr. Jack Newman's site about breastfeeding)
www.llli.org (La Leche League, about breastfeeding)

There are two really neat blogs I've found -- birthingbeautifulideas.com and www.shininglightprenatal.com.  I've met both of these educators and the perspectives that they share are very helpful. 

The relaxation methods were good; it was good to learn what I can do to help. -- Birth Partner

Books
  • The Official Lamaze Guide -- Giving Birth With Confidence; Judith Lothian and Charlotte DeVries; 2010 (Note -- you'll get this in the class) (A great book with key information about interventions, and a lot of great helpful birth stories -- a great book to get as early in your pregnancy as possible.)
  • Pregnancy, Childbirth,and the Newborn, The Complete Guide; Penny Simkin, April Bolding, Ann Keppler, and Janelle Durham; 2010 (If money's tight and you could only get one book, this would be a great choice.)
  • Prepared Childbirth - The Family Way, Debbie Amis and Jeanne Green, 2007 (A great book, with a lot of pictures, tables, and information -- kind of like a handbook.)
  • Preparing for Multiples The Family Way; Cindy Carter with Jeanne Green and Debby Amis; 2005 (Excellent book for moms expecting more than one child -- get this before you pick your birth site and caregivers)
  • The Birth Partner; Penny Simkin; 2007 (Very helpful for partners; even describes how to help the mom give birth in the very unlikely event that you're the only person there to help!)
  • A guide to effective care in pregnancy and childbirth; Murray, Enkin, et al.; 2000 (also available free at www.childbirthconnection.org, click on the For Women tab at the top) (Not a childbirth education book, but a compendium of research on all the details of what helps and doesn't help with pregnancy and childbirth -- perfect for the mom who wants all the details and an evidence-based approach.)
  • The Ultimate Breastfeeding Book of Answers; Jack Newman and Teresa Pitman; 2006 (Very helpful for all moms interested in breastfeeding.)
  • The Black Woman's Guide to Breastfeeding; Katherine Barber; 2005 (Very helpful for African American moms interested in breastfeeding.  Yes, our breasts are made the same, but our cultures are different in some ways, and this book addresses issues specific to Black moms and families.)
  • The Baby Book; William and Martha Sears; 2003 (newborn care) (This is a very helpful book for all things related to babies and young children, and is perfect for reviewing at 3:00 am to see why a little one seems uncomfortable, and what can be done about it.)

For those who want to have as natural an experience as possible, these resources, in addition to those above, might be helpful:

  • Any book by Ina May Gaskin
  • Any book by Sheila Kitzinger
  • Pushed, Jennifer Block, 2007

  • We didn't even really know where to begin to talk about what to expect   . . . what we want . . . etc.  This class provided a framework for discussion.  It was great!  -- Mom

    • DVDs/Videos

    • Amazing Talents of the Newborn, Johnson & Johnson Pediatric Institute, (Note -- we view this in class) (A very helpful, inexpensive resource for all parents.  If you think that babies only eat, sleep, and poop, get this DVD!)
    • Comfort Measures for Childbirth with Penny Simkin, Penny Simkin (A very helpful resource that demonstrates relaxation practice.)
    • The Business of Being Born, Director Abby Epstein, Starring Ricki Lake,  2008  (Especially for parents preparing for a more natural approach to childbirth.)

    CDs
    • Rainbow Relaxation, Marie Mongan
    • Relax for Childbirth, Penny Simkin
    • Journeying through Birth and Pregnancy, Relaxation and Visualisation, Jennifer Houston
    • A Journey of the Heart, Imagery and Meditations for Labor and Birth Preparation, Anji