Obstetricks: A Mayo Clinic Toolkit of Childbirth Tips and

Learn how to have an empowered, more joyful birth!

Giving birth can be -- and should be -- an exciting, positive experience. While every labor and delivery has unique challenges, you can help to make it the best possible experience through a combination of comfort techniques, education and an understanding of options.

This concise guide to pregnancy and childbirth brings you the expertise of a certified nurse-midwife at Mayo Clinic and a certified doula. It’s packed with information based on the most current evidence, yet rooted in long-trusted natural methods of caring for laboring women.

With a unique spiral-bound flipbook format, the book’s 100+ bite-sized topics can be perused one page at a time while lying in bed, eating breakfast or riding a stationary bike. The front pages offer the most important information for setting up a satisfying childbirth experience, while the back pages add more empowering details, tricks and medical information.

Inside you’ll find tips for:

- Creating healthy habits during pregnancy

- Recognizing what’s normal as baby grows

- Planning and preparing for the birth -- mentally and practically

- Managing labor pain, including natural techniques and medical options

- Providing crucial support as a labor partner

- Keeping focused on the ultimate goal: a healthy mom and baby

You’ll also get the messy truth of what to expect postpartum, advice for enjoying the early days with a newborn and more. Obstetricks equips parents with confidence and an expert toolkit as they prepare for the main event -- welcoming baby to the world.

Certified Licensed Doula, Certified Postpartum Doula, and proud mama of three

I want other families to be able to reflect on one of the most significant days of their lives and have blissful thoughts about the happy, healthy outcome! My two births after I’d been trained as a doula were absolute dreams. I was able to apply the tips and tricks I’d learned as a doula that weren’t taught/emphasized when I prepared for our first birth (and I really thought I’d done my due diligence). I also created Obstetricks because I wanted families to have these key nuggets of info at their fingertips, instead of needing to page through thick books with dog-eared tabs. My heart has been in health education and wellness consulting for more than 20 years, and I love when people feel empowered through education. My mission is to help families better navigate the oh-so miraculous journey of pregnancy and birth, and my dream is for your Birth Day wishes to come true!

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APRN, Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM) at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn., and mother of two

When Kerry invited me into her world of Obstetricks, I jumped on board immediately. I did my research, and I couldn’t find the combination of this content and design anywhere else. I have over 25 years of experience working with laboring women, and this information gives low- and high-risk women alike the tools to be prepared. Pregnancy, labor, and birth don’t always go as planned, and we get that. Although focusing on the normal, Obstetricks addresses these unpredictable and technical moments too. May the fruits of our labor give positive influence to yours.