The Nurturing Touch at Birth: A Labor Support Handbook

This book is an indispensible part of any labor & delivery unit, especially one that supports mothers in their choices of birth experiences. I have used this book in orientation of new labor & delivery nurses with great success. It really opens the eyes of the orientee to other options than a 100% epidural rate. I would highly recommend its reading and application to every labor & delivery nurse.

In this age of high-tech birth, it is refreshing to have a book that addresses what Polly Perez describes as "the soul in the birth room." Perez emphasizes the importance of empowering the birthing woman during her experience of labor and birth. This means that the supportive caregiver will listen to what each individual woman wants and needs, and then, help the woman achieve a labor and birth experience that is uniquely her own. In this handbook, the mother and the caregiver will find a large variety of helpful nonpharmacologic techniques to address the physical and emotional needs that may be encountered during labor and birth. Together, the woman and the caregiver work as a team to employ the techniques that are most beneficial in meeting the woman's needs. The importance of continuous labor support is well documented and this handbook provides a wealth of information regarding how to provide that support to laboring women. It is a must-have book for anyone providing support to laboring women!

As a veteran nurse educator, mother, grandmother, and L & D nurse this is a valuable resource for all--the mother, father, caregivers and support person(s). Having extensive training in healing arts, I particularly liked seeing information on aromatherapy, therapeutic touch, massage, and more; all of which is valuable to both mother and those assisting her. The photos are great and remind me of the positive experiences of being a doula to my daughter and daughters-in-law. This book is a must read for all those mentioned. Every childbirth educator should have copies in her/his library.

This is one of the most comprehensive books on childbirth available to birthing professionals. It is "one-stop shopping" for the knowledge and skills that can be used to provide support during the entire birthing process. There are tips, tricks, and information that can be used for a wide variety of women with differing plans for their birth in any setting. Nurturing Touch at Birth not only teaches how to provide support for a woman giving birth, but provides encouragement and strength to birthing professionals. You don't only get the "how-to's" with this book, you get the "what's" and the "how-comes" as well! It takes the whole spectrum of care for a woman during labor and birth and turns it into a rainbow!

This book helped me help one of my doula clients recently, and I am so grateful Polly Perez wrote it! My client decided on an epidural and while she and her husband took a nap I decided to read through the Nurturing Touch at Birth.I had just purchased it the day before and was eager to learn from it. Well, I happened to read about the knee press and how to do it... Guess what? The mom woke up after a 45 minute snooze and had terrible back pain but was not allowed out of bed. So her husband and I did the knee press until the pain passed. Worked like a charm. Thanks for writing such a great book Polly Perez!Katrina MacLeodbirth doulaChester County, PA