The Modern Midwife's Guide to Pregnancy, Birth and Beyond: How to Have a Healthier Pregnancy, Easier Birth and Smoother Postnatal Period

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Covers postpartum advice and support only, so you’ll want a different book when preparing for birth

The functional state of the autonomic nervous system plays an important role throughout pregnancy, childbirth and in the newborn condition ( Atallah et al, 1999; Egliston et al, 2007; Dmitrieva et al, 2011). Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) is a form of autonomic dysfunction that can cause orthostatic intolerance, with up to 78% of women with hEDS/HSD potentially affected ( Gazit et al, 2003). Significantly, in one study of pregnant women diagnosed with autonomic dysfunction, where autonomic dysfunction was present in 55% before pregnancy, this figure rose to 100% during pregnancy ( Taitubayeva et al, 2020). Those with POTS may also experience symptoms such as trouble concentrating, light-headedness, palpitations, fatigue, exercise intolerance, and in severe cases, syncope (fainting) ( Fedorowski et al, 2021). The authors of a recent review of the literature have determined that there is inadequate published evidence to confirm any relationship between hEDS, POTS and mast cell activation syndrome ( Kohn and Chang, 2019). However, others have argued that the overlapping symptoms of these conditions and their under-diagnosis means that the potential link should not be ignored, as clinical experts find these three conditions together commonly in practice ( Roma et al, 2018; Afrin et al, 2020). Such academic debates highlight the need for further inquiry.

I highly recommend reading a book called The Positive Breastfeeding Book... It made me feel so prepared and also diminishes what I now deem to be stupid beliefs that you can't enjoy a glass of wine without pumping and dumping!” (Vetted by Mumsnet user sleepsuit) Our verdict Marie Louise has years of labour experience under her belt and a wonderful way of simplifying even the most complicated and overwhelming of pregnancy details into a format that is relatable and easy to understand.

Please complete the form if you would like to refer a mother or pregnant woman to NCT’s Birth and Beyond Community Supporters Team. To learn more about how to get involved as a volunteer, please see the 'How can I volunteer for BBCS' section. Prepares you for some of the breastfeeding challenges you may encounter and how you can overcome themThe management of hEDS/HSD in childbearing remains complex. Yet, considering the new approximate figure of 1 in 20 put forward for the proportion of pregnancies affected by hEDS/HSD, cases in maternity services should no longer be considered rare, only rarely diagnosed ( Pezaro et al, 2020). It is considered that the recognition of hEDS/HSD is now critical ( Tinkle, 2021). Though as outlined in our previous review, the role of the midwife in this context is not necessarily to diagnose cases of hEDS/HSD but to work in partnership with those affected as part of a multidisciplinary team in making evidenced-based care plans along with early and appropriate referrals ( Pezaro et al, 2018). Nevertheless, it may be useful for midwives to remain informed and alert to the possibility of many pregnancies occurring in people affected by hEDS/HSD who are as yet undiagnosed. Whilst not the most detailed of texts, and covering mostly pregnancy and pre-birth content, this is a lighthearted and informative read suitable for even the most reluctant of readers. Our list wouldn't be complete without the book that offers advice from those at the frontline of parenting – Mumsnet users themselves.

The training is Open College Network (OCN) accredited Level 2 training (3 credits) and will enable the volunteers to: All meetings take place in public places or at appropriate groups but we are also able to offer a small number of home visits if that is what is best for the mother. How can I become a volunteer in community support? Expert author?: What is the expertise of the author and can you trust their advice? Look for books written from reliable sources of information, particularly if they are focused on a particular approach to childbirth. We recommend books written by medical or pregnancy experts or coaches. Whilst celebrity parent books can be helpful, ultimately they tend to be based on a personal experience. Area of focus: Are you looking for one book that covers everything from conception to childbirth, or are you happy to read a book focused on a specific area such as nutrition, breastfeeding or labour?I really enjoyed Your No Guilt Pregnancy Plan by Rebecca Schiller (I used this to make my own birth preferences list as it lays out all of your ‘choices’ in one section which was really handy)"(Tried and tested by Mumsnet user glasspaw) Our verdict Those childbearing with hEDS/HSD may experience the premature birth of their babies ( Hurst et al, 2014; Volkov et al, 2018; Nicholls-Dempsey et al, 2019; Turan et al, 2020). Additionally, other authors have reported how births may be affected by abnormal fetal presentation ( Lind and Wallenburg, 2002; Karthikeyan and Venkat-Raman, 2018). This may not be surprising when we consider that tissues which typically support babies to remain in an optimal position in preparation for birth may be looser in those with hEDS/HSD. Furthermore, as those childbearing with hEDS/HSD report episodes of both physical and psychological birth trauma ( Pezaro et al, 2020), it will be important to prevent, prepare for and anticipate such episodes as well as provide appropriate and effective parental support.