A practical guide to preparing yourself for childbirth whether in hospital or at home. Giving birth can be the scariest thing ever to happen in a woman's life. But knowing your options in advance can make the process a whole lot easier. Dr Stoppard presents all the options for home and hospital births, as well as detailed explanations of the birth process; checklists for your trip to the hospital; explanations of early labour and all the signs of pre-labour; a detailed guide to the second and third stages of labour with options for natural birth and pain management; partner coaching and relaxation techniques at every stage; an overview of special procedures and complications that could happen during birth; as well as a section on post-partum "returning to normal" with exercises and suggestions for making the transition easier. This book also provides a listing of useful addresses for further support.