66 Pregnancy and Childbir th
Chapter 6
In this chapter:
Staying Healthy during Pregnancy
Common Problems during Pregnancy
Risks and Danger Signs during Pregnancy
Prenatal Care (Check-ups during Pregnancy)
Preparing for Labor and Birth
Giving Birth
Signs that labor is near
The 3 stages of labor
Danger signs during labor
Difficult Births
Danger Signs for the Baby at Birth
Caring for the Mother and Baby after Birth
Women with Extra Needs
To the Father
Working for Change
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Most women in the world today do not get prenatal care or trained
help during birth. They usually have their babies at home with the help of
a local midwife or a family member. This chapter has information for both
the pregnant woman and her helpers, about care during pregnancy, and care
both during and after the birth.
For more complete information about caring for women in pregnancy and
helping them with both normal and difficult births, see Hesperian’s A Book for
Midwives (for how to order it, see the last page of this book).
Where Women Have No Doctor 2012