This page in no way represents medical advice. Nobody can make decisions for
you or your family. You should seek out your own answers and come to your own
conclusions. This is intended only to offer some possible starting points.
If you haven't considered a homebirth, I highly recommend reading Male
Practice, by Robert Mendelsohn, M.D. (Actually, if you're female and live
in the United States, I recommend you read this book, even if you aren't pregnant.)
Information About Homebirth:
A few websites to get you started (These are not anywhere near all of the sites
available.): Homebirth.org Compleat Mother's homebirth page Gentlebirth archives - This is
very helpful if you're looking for answers to specific questions.
I also recommend Emergency Childbirth : A Manual. This book is used to
train emergency workers (EMTs, etc.) in birth. It's helpful for informing you
of how to handle birth situations that are outside of the "norm" - breech births,
etc. It's fairly hands-off, but keep in mind that it is written from a medical
perspective.
Birth Supplies:
In His Hands and
Birthsupplies.com
offer basic birth supplies. You can get cord clamps, disposable absorbant
"bedpads" (chux), fetoscopes, and more. (Even bendy straws! Those are great to
have during birth.)
If you're interested in taking the blood yourself for a
newborn screening test, check out Neo Gen.
You can order the kits from them, draw the blood and mail it in. (They won't
send the results to you, though; just to a doctor.)
Information About Unassisted Homebirth
All of the above information can be useful if you're considering/planning a
medically unassisted birth. Also check out Laurie Morgan's site. She has lots of links- links to every
UHB site she's aware of (which is more than I was aware of!). I think she has
just plain homebirth links, too, if that's what you're interested in.
If you're into e-mail groups, I'm on a really informative one. It's called Cbirth,
and the women there are wonderful. We come from a huge variety of beliefs,
backgrounds, and personalities, and for the most part actually manage to get along!
Seriously, though, you will find so much knowledge on this list, as well as good
old common sense. If you're interested in subscribing, click here:
Subscribe to Cbirth. (This
is not a Christian list by any stretch of the imagination, but I am not aware of
any Christian lists that have nearly the same level of knowledge in this area.)