Recommended Childbirth and Labor Books

There are so many books out there that it's easy to get overwhelmed. Here are some books that consistently get good reviews. The Book Depository has free shipping to Korea. What the Book in Itaewon can get most books for you. Amazon might be a good option if you have someone coming to visit or can buy the Kindle version of the book. The descriptions are based off of Amazon's descriptions.


Birth Without Violence
Written by Frederick Leboyer M.D.
This famous doctor challenged traditional views of infants in the western world. He proved that infants are very aware of their surroundings, they can feel pain, they need to be near their mother, and their birth must be gentle. Low lights, quietness, and warmth can help ease a baby's transition into the world. First published in 1974 it completely changed the way the western world viewed birth. You can buy it from Amazon or the Book Depository.


Birthing From Within: An Extra-Ordinary Guide to Childbirth Preparation
Written by Pam England and Rob Horowitz
The authors believe that childbirth should not be a medical event, but rather a rite of passage. There's information about how to cope with pain during labor without the use of drugs, how the father can help during labor, and what the doctor's role should be. There is also information about newborn care, breastfeeding, and postpartum. You can buy it from Amazon or the Book Depository.


Childbirth Without Fear
Written by Grantley Dick-Read
A famous pro-natural birth advocate, Dick-Read discusses why western women fear childbirth and helps them overcome this fear. He also discusses the importance of breastfeeding and overcoming the obstacles. A must-read for moms-to-be. You can buy it from Amazon or the Book Depository.


The Complete Book of Pregnancy and Childbirth
Written by Shelia Kitzinger
This book gives parents all the information they need to make informed choices about pregnancy and childbirth, from interventions to pre-natal testing. There are also over 300 photos, drawings, and diagrams. You can buy it from Amazon or the Book Depository.


Gentle Birth Choices
Written by Barbara Harper
In this day and age we are inundated with dramatic births courtesy of Hollywood. This book also contains a DVD with 6 gentle births. The book helps debunk many of the myths surrounding childbirth and tells you how to make it a family-centered event. Fear, pain, and violence do not have to be a part of birth. She also gives advice about using water during birth, hiring a doula, and avoiding interventions. You can buy it from Amazon or the Book Depository.


Gentle Birth, Gentle Mothering: A Doctor's Guide to Natural Childbirth and Gentle Early Parenting Choices
Written by Sarah Buckley
This book is written by a doctor who birthed all four of her children at home. She advocates natural birth and gentle parenting. She backs up her information with current research and women's experiences. She also has good information on breastfeeding and sleeping. You can buy it from Amazon or the Book Depository.


Ina May's Guide to Childbirth
Written by Ina May Gaskin
Ina May is the nation's leading midwife. Known for her work on The Farm, a natural birthing community, Ina May tells you everything you need to know about birthing, such as what happens during labor, how to induce labor, episiotomies, anesthesia, c-sections, postpartum depression, how to choose a place to birth, and more. This book was written to empower women and allow them to birth easily with less pain and little interventions. You can buy it off Amazon or the Book Depository.


Pregnancy, Childbirth, and the Newborn
Written by Penny Simkin, April Bolding, Ann Keppler, Janelle Durham, and Janet Whalley
Consistently a best seller, this book is easy to read yet chock-full of information. There's information about traditional medicine, such as acupuncture, interventions, VBACs, how to make an informed decision, and much more. There are features such as Common Q&As, in their own words, and fact or fiction that add even more to this award winning book. You can also check out their website, PCNGuide. You can buy it from Amazon or the Book Depository.


Spiritual Midwifery
Written by Ina May Gaskin
Another great book by Ina May. This book contains information about many of the routines that are used during birth and calls their safety into question. There's also information about birthing classes and doulas. Well worth a read for the expectant mother. You can buy it from Amazon or the Book Depository.


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Tender Embrace Birthing offers childbirth, breastfeeding, and newborn care classes and support.

Resources for Tongue Ties and Lip Ties for Babies in Korea

Updated 27 September 2017

Many infants are now being diagnosed with tongue ties (ankyloglossia) or lip ties (maxilliary frenum). It's when the frenulum under the tongue or between the upper lip and gums is too short. About 4% of babies have this and it seems to be hereditary. Some people say that if a mother has too much folic acid this can cause ties. Tongue and lip ties can make breastfeeding difficult. If a baby has a lip tie, it's very likely that they have a tongue tie as well and it could be a posterior tie.

When a baby has a tie the mother will often hear a clicking sound when the baby is breastfeeding. The nipple may look like the top of a lipstick and there might be a cut on it as well. It's often painful for the mother to breastfeed.

The good news is that it's easy to get ties released (i.e. fixed). There are no nerve endings under a tongue and little vascularity. Nowadays ties are cut with a laser or scissors. The whole procedure usually takes about 15-30 minutes. Doctors recommend taking your infant to a chiropractor within 24 hours of treatment and for a few weeks afterwards. You will also have to do stretches with your baby's tongue to ensure that it doesn't grow back. Below you can find some places that will cut ties. This information came from Expat Parents' Korea! It costs around 70,000 if you have national insurance, if you don't, expect it to be about double.

Gyeonggi

Lady Samsung Women and Children's Hospital (삼성산부인과) now Zion Women's Hospital (시온여성병원)
1011-2, Youngtong-dong, Yeongtong-gu, Suwon, Gyeonggi-do
경기도 수원시 영통구 영통동 1011-2
Telephone: (031) 201-0700

• They won't do it on babies who are younger than 4 weeks. They use scissors.

Midwife Rosa (Kim Ok Jin) Agitanseun Natural Birth Center (김옥진조산원)
Kim Okjin, Midwife aka "Rosa"
401-1, 3F Saeyang Chungmaru Sang-ga Naeson 2-dong, Uiwang, Gyeonggi-do 
경기도 의왕시 내손2동 401-1 세청마루상가 3F
Telephone: (031) 410-8597
Cell: 010-2447-8231 and 019-447-8231
ojkim80@hanmail.net
Near Indeogwon station

• She will come to your home and do it on newborns with scissors. However, she doesn't take national insurance.

Yonsei Moa Women and Children's Hospital (연세모아병원)
Pediatric area
Yeongtong-dong 947-2 ban-gil (bongyeonglo 1759 ban gil)
수원시 영통구 영통동 947-2번지(봉영로 1759번길 41)
Telephone : 031-201-4500

• They use scissors.

Yoon Yi ENT Clinic (윤이비인후과의원(고잔)
Telephone: 031-401-4172
yjtjoa@hanmail.net
Gojan 2-dong 535-4, Danwon-gu, Ansan, Gyeonggi-do
경기 안산시 단원구 고잔2동 535-4

• This clinic constantly gets good reviews and the doctor is considered to be an expert on ties in Korea.
• This is the only place that uses lasers.  
• They won't do it on babies who are younger than 4 weeks.  
• The doctor doesn't seem to diagnose posterior tongue ties.

Busan

Prime Women's Clinic: Gimhae (near Busan) 
Naedong 1140-4 Guensang Building 2F, Gimhae, Gyeongsang-gu
Tel: (055) 328-0059

• The doctor uses scissors. 

Seoul

MediFlower OBGYN and Natural Birthing Center
Dr. Hwanwook Chung
2nd Floor of Lotte Castle Medici, 1656-4 Seocho-dong, Seocho-gu, Seoul
Telephone: (02) 548-9400 (Press 9 for English)
Near Kyodae subway station

• A natural birthing clinic. The doctor uses scissors.

Yeon and Nature 
521 Hakdong-ro (Cheongdam-dong 72-1) Gangnam-gu, Seoul
서울특별시 강남구 학동로521 (청담동72-1)
Telephone: 02-518-1300 or 010-4009-1151

• A natural birthing clinic. The doctor uses scissors.

Suwon

Lady Samsung Women and Children's Hospital (삼성산부인과) now Zion Women's Hospital (시온여성병원)
1011-2, Youngtong-dong, Yeongtong-gu, Suwon, Gyeonggi-do
경기도 수원시 영통구 영통동 1011-2
Telephone: (031) 201-0700

• They won't do it on babies who are younger than 4 weeks. They use scissors.

Yonsei Moa Women and Children's Hospital (연세모아병원)
Pediatric area
Yeongtong-dong 947-2 ban-gil (bongyeonglo 1759 ban gil)
수원시 영통구 영통동 947-2번지(봉영로 1759번길 41)
Telephone : 031-201-4500

• They use scissors.

More information

• Jennifer Tow
• Lawrence Kotlow
• Morning Calm Birthing Services
• Tongue Tied Babies on Facebook

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Tender Embrace Birthing offers childbirth, breastfeeding, and newborn care classes and support.

Recommended Books about Doulas

There are so many books out there that it's easy to get overwhelmed. Here are some books that consistently get good reviews. The Book Depository has free shipping to Korea. What the Book in Itaewon can get most books for you. Amazon might be a good option if you have someone coming to visit or can buy the Kindle version of the book. The descriptions are based off of Amazon's descriptions. Here's a list of doulas in Korea that might help you.


The Birth Partner -  Revised 4th Edition: A Complete Guide to Childbirth for Dads, Doulas, and All Other Labor Companions
Written by Penny Simkins

An expert in birth, Penny Simkins' updated book contains information about how to know if you're in labor, what normal labor is, managing pain during labor using medication and natural methods, C-sections, breastfeeding, postpartum, newborn care, and more. You can buy it from Amazon or the Book Depository.



The Doula Advantage: Your Complete Guide to Having an Empowered and Positive Birth with the Help of a Professional Birth Assistant
Written by Rachel Gurevich

Doulas are professionally trained to assist women giving birth. They can help during pregnancy, at birth, and during the postpartum period. You'll learn how doulas can help you no matter what type of birth you have, how to choose the right doula for you, how doulas can help dads, and more. You can buy it from Amazon or the Book Depository.



The Doula Book: How a Trained Labor Companion Can Help You Have a Shorter, Easier, and Healthier Birth
Written by Marshall H. Klaus, John H. Kennell, and Phyllis H. Klaus

Research has shown that there is a distinct advantage to hiring a doula. From lowering the use of pain medication, to decreasing the C-section rate, shortening labor, and having women have more positive memories of the birth experience, doulas help everyone involved. You can buy it from Amazon or the Book Depository.



The Doula Guide to Birth: Secrets Every Pregnant Women Should Know
Written by Ananda Lowe and Rachel Zimmerman

While many people may think of doulas as a new-age trend, doulas have been around for centuries helping women birth. Find out what doulas do, how to interview a doula, techniques you can use even if you don't hire a doula, interventions, when to go to the hospital, how to expect the unexpected, and more. You can buy it from Amazon or the Book Depository. 



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Tender Embrace Birthing offers childbirth, breastfeeding, and newborn care classes and support.

Using a Rebozo During Labor

From CAPPA

Many traditional cultures around the world use rebozos for while pregnant and in labor and carrying their babies afterwards. A rebozo is a long shawl. Some are thick and some are thin. Length and width vary, but they are usually big enough to help you wear your baby. Rebozo is a Spanish word and they are often used in Latin American countries such as Mexico and Peru. 

Some doulas, such as Jinny consistently use rebozos during labor. They have been shown to shorten labor and make labor easier. Gena Kirby has a rebozo workshop that is definitely worth taking a look at as well.

Here's some more info:

• Birth International 
• The Easy Guide to Rebozos for Pregnancy and Birth
• Lohee Rebozo
• The Original Lohee Rebozo

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Tender Embrace Birthing offers childbirth, breastfeeding, and newborn care classes and support.

Recommended Grief and Loss Books

There are so many books out there that it's easy to get overwhelmed. Here are some books that consistently get good reviews. The Book Depository has free shipping to Korea. What the Book in Itaewon can get most books for you. Amazon might be a good option if you have someone coming to visit or can buy the Kindle version of the book. The descriptions are based off of Amazon's descriptions.



Always Within; Grieving the Loss of Your Infant
Written by Melissa L Eshleman

A complication of stories from people who have lost their baby. These stories are coupled with helpful advice from people who have gone through a loss. There's information for what friends or family can do or so during this time. You can buy it from Amazon or the Book Depository.



Baby Dust
Written by Deanna Roy

Based on the stories of women who have lost a child, this book discusses the many ways people grieve. You can buy it from Amazon or the Book Depository.




Empty Arms: Coping with Miscarriage, Stillbirth and Infant Death
Written by Sherokee Illse

This book encourages parents to say hello to their baby before saying good-bye. They also offer suggestions for having to make difficult decisions. There's information about going back to work, grieving as a couple, guilt, deciding to have another baby, and more. You can buy it from Amazon or the Book Depository.



Grieving Parents: Surviving the Loss as a Couple
Written by Nathalie Himmelrich

The loss of a child can strongly affect a couple. This book will tell you how men and women grieve, how to work through this process individually and as a couple, and how to become a stronger couple. You can buy it from Amazon or the Book Depository.



I Will Carry You: The Sacred Dance of Grief and Joy
Written by Angie Smith

Angie and her husband found out that her baby had conditions making her incompatible with life. Although they were advised to terminate their pregnancy, Angie birthed her child and Audrey lived for 2.5 hours before passing. Angie started a blog called Bring the Rain and thousands of people found comfort in her words. You can buy it from Amazon or the Book Depository.


Pregnancy After a Loss: A Guide to Pregnancy After a Miscarriage, Stillbirth, or Infant Death
Written by Carol Cirulli Lanham

Getting pregnancy after a loss can be a difficult situation and a woman may feel herself going through a variety of emotions, such as fear and guilt. This may be a difficult time, but it can also be a healing time. You can buy it from Amazon or the Book Depository.



Three Minus One: Stories of Parents' Love and Loss
Written by Kelly Kittel, Jessica Watson, Brooke Warner, and Sean Hanish

Inspired by the film Return to Zero, this book discusses how the loss of a child is like no other loss. It impacts the mother, father, family, and friends. Most people suffer in silence. This book breaks the silence. You can buy it from Amazon or the Book Depository.



Trying Again: A Guide to Pregnancy After Miscarriage, Stillbirth, and Infant Loss
Written by Ann Douglas

This book offers facts and advice about getting pregnancy after you experience a loss. You can buy it from Amazon or the Book Depository.


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Tender Embrace Birthing offers childbirth, breastfeeding, and newborn care classes and support.