Birthing Your Placenta

Birthing Your Placenta has been written to help parents, professionals and others to understand the process and the evidence relating to the birth of the placenta.

This is the fourth edition of a popular book co-authored by Nadine Edwards and Sara Wickham.

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What’s it all about?

Have you ever thought about how the placenta is born?

Did you know that there are actually three different approaches to the birth of the placenta within maternity care?

Are you aware that research has shown significant advantages to the baby in taking a slower approach, however the placenta is born?

Or that there is plenty of evidence to support a more natural approach for healthy women who would prefer that?

This book has been written to help women make decisions about the birth of their placenta. We examine the different options and detail the evidence relating to each. We also discuss the wider context in which these decisions are made.

No matter what kind of birth you are hoping for, this book will help you understand your options.

Please be aware that previous (AIMS) editions of this book are now out-of-date and contain information that is no longer correct. Look for the purple cover and colourful tree.

Get your copy here:

Amazon   Wordery   GBBS

Kindle   Kobo   Apple   Other retailers

You can also order Birthing Your Placenta from your local indie bookshop, the IBSN is 978-1-999806446.

*We have affiliate accounts with some of these retailers. Any profit goes to the Birth Information Project.

What are people saying?

“This new edition of Birthing Your Placenta is very welcome. It is clearly written and very informative. The content is comprehensive, up to date and well referenced.” – Professor Mavis Kirkham, Midwife.

“Birthing Your Placenta brings a breath of fresh air to a topic that has not received enough attention. Nadine and Sara showcase their skills in finding and interpreting all the relevant evidence, combining this with an emphasis on women as capable birth-givers and decision makers. Whether you are pregnant for the first time or an experienced maternity care provider, there’s something for you between the covers of this book.” – Dr Kirsten Small, Obstetrician.

“I feel so much more prepared to make choices regarding my placenta birth for my future babies. Thanks to both authors for unpacking this surprisingly complex topic.” – Ann C

See more reviews on Amazon.

What’s new?

This fourth edition, published in late 2018, has been substantially expanded and updated. We have added a completely new chapter and carefully updated every section of the book with new evidence which has emerged since we published the third edition back in 2011. New sections include:

(1) More evidence from recent Cochrane reviews and other research studies.

(2) Expanded sections on aspects of physiological placental birth, placental birth in water, the transition to extrauterine life, uterotonic drugs and manual removal of the placenta.

(3) More on optimal cord clamping, placenta rituals, placentophagy, cord tying, banding and burning, and lotus birth.

About the Author

Dr Sara Wickham is an author, educator, and researcher. She has more than 25 years experience as a midwife and educator and her first book was published in 2001.

Sara is now the author or editor of eighteen books and has edited three midwifery journals. She provides in-person and online educational and consultancy services for midwifery, medical and health-related practitioners and organisations around the world.

Dr Nadine Edwards PhD is a long-standing birth activist, educator, researcher and writer. She currently works at and is a Trustee at the Pregnancy and Parents Centre, Edinburgh. She is former Vice Chair of the Association for Improvements in the Maternity Services and is working on several books.

Looking for my placental birth resources page?

Find it here.

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