Damon Mcknight
How to Grow a Baby and Push It Out is a book by Clemmie Hooper, a midwife and mother of four. The book is a no-nonsense, week-by-week guide to pregnancy and the first few months of motherhood. It covers a range of topics, from how to prevent tearing during birth to what to pack in your hospital bag, and aims to provide helpful advice and stories about pregnancy, birth, and mothering young children. While some readers have found the book informative and empowering, others have criticised its tone, calling it patronising and reductive, with subtle sexist and body-shaming undertones.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Author | Clemmie Hooper |
| Publisher | Penguin Books Australia |
| Target Audience | Pregnant women, new mothers, and birthing partners |
| Format | Week-by-week guide |
| Content | Pregnancy, childbirth, postpartum care, morning sickness, labour bag essentials, midwife questions, babymoon suggestions, birth myths, humour, empathy, and wit |
| Reviews | Mixed, including positive comments on tone, humour, and usefulness, and negative comments on sexism, body-shaming, and lightweight content |
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What You'll Learn
Pregnancy week-by-week guide
Pregnancy is typically divided into 3 trimesters and lasts around 40 weeks, starting from the first day of the mother's last menstrual period. Here is a week-by-week breakdown of what to expect during pregnancy:
Weeks 1-5
During the first week of pregnancy, the embryo, called a blastocyst, implants itself in the uterus and prepares for development. By week 5, you may begin to suspect that you are pregnant and can take a pregnancy test.
Weeks 6-10
By week 6, your baby is growing quickly, and you may notice early signs of pregnancy such as nausea. By week 8, you might experience morning sickness, frequent urination, and fatigue. Your baby is now the size of a peanut. By week 9, you may start to show and put on some weight.
Weeks 11-15
During week 11, you might have your first ultrasound. By week 12, your baby is fully formed with organs, muscles, limbs, and bones in place, and is the size of a plum. Hopefully, any morning sickness will have eased off by week 13, when you enter the second trimester. By week 14, your baby's face is becoming more recognizable, and you may feel more energetic. Your baby may be able to respond to sound and light by week 15, while you may be experiencing changes in your skin and hair.
Weeks 16-20
You might begin to feel your baby moving by week 16, and hormonal changes may affect your libido. By week 18, you may be able to find out the gender of your baby. You will likely look obviously pregnant by week 19, while your baby can now hear sounds from outside your body. Your baby is very active by week 20, and you may feel breathless or experience aches in your back and hips.
Weeks 21-28
At week 21, you should consider whether to travel, as you may not be able to later in your pregnancy. Some women experience Braxton Hicks contractions around week 22. By week 28, you are in the final trimester, and your baby is about the size of a pineapple.
Weeks 29-40
You have reached the third trimester, which lasts from week 29 onwards. Babies typically arrive anytime between 37 and 42 weeks, so it is important to be prepared and informed throughout the final weeks of pregnancy. Weeks 28 to 40 and onwards are covered in the week-by-week guide to pregnancy.
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Labour bag essentials
Packing a labour bag is an important part of preparing for the birth of your baby. It's recommended to have your bag packed and ready to go by week 35 of your pregnancy. Here are the essentials you should include:
Clothing and Comfort
- Something loose and comfortable to wear during labour, such as an oversized T-shirt or nightdress. You may also want to pack a dressing gown, cosy socks, and slippers for comfort and warmth.
- Pack clothes in different sizes for your baby. You may want to bring a matching hat and swaddle set for their first photo!
- For yourself, pack comfortable and loose-fitting clothes for after the birth, especially if you're recovering from a C-section.
- Maternity bras or singlets, especially if you're planning to breastfeed. You may also want to pack breast pads and nipple cream.
- High-waisted underwear provides good support following a C-section, and it's recommended to bring older pairs that you won't mind disposing of afterward.
Toiletries and Self-Care
- Toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, shampoo, hairbrush, hair ties, and other personal toiletries.
- Lip balm, moisturiser, and hand cream can help you feel refreshed.
- Don't forget your favourite soothing essential oils to help during contractions.
Food and Drink
- Pack high-energy, easily digestible foods such as fruit salad (watermelon, berries, grapes), muesli bars, bliss balls, apples with nut butter, Greek yoghurt, green smoothies, and coconut water.
- Bring a water bottle, as labour can be thirsty work!
Devices and Entertainment
- A phone or camera with a charger to capture those special moments. Ensure there's enough memory space.
- Rechargeable earbuds to listen to your labour playlist without tangled wires.
- Books, magazines, or an iPad loaded with movies to help pass the time.
Other Essentials
- Paperwork and medical records, including your Medicare card, Health Care Card, private health cover information, antenatal records, and your birth plan.
- Swimmers and a towel if you want to use water for pain relief or if your hospital has a large bath.
- Loose change or cash for parking or any other small purchases.
Remember to keep your bag easily accessible, and don't forget to also pack a bag for your partner or support person!
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Preventing tearing during birth
Vaginal tearing during childbirth is a common occurrence, with between 53 and 79% of vaginal births resulting in some degree of tearing. Tearing is more likely if it is your first baby, with an estimated 9 in 10 first-time mothers experiencing some form of tearing. While there is no surefire way to prevent tearing, there are several strategies you can use to reduce your risk.
Perineal Massage
Perineal massage is a technique that involves gently massaging the perineum (the area between the vaginal opening and anus) using lubricating oil, like olive oil, vitamin E oil, or coconut oil. This helps to soften and stretch the tissue, making it more pliable and better able to accommodate the stretching that occurs during childbirth. It is recommended to start perineal massage after week 35 of pregnancy, massaging a couple of times per week.
Pelvic Floor Exercises
Strengthening your pelvic floor muscles can help reduce the risk of perineal tearing and promote resilience during the birthing process. Kegel exercises, deep squats, bridge exercises, yoga, pilates, and the balloon breathing technique are all examples of exercises that can strengthen your pelvic floor.
Warm Compress
Applying a warm compress, such as a warm, damp towel or cloth, to the perineum during labour can help alleviate discomfort and enhance the overall birthing experience. It also contributes to the relaxation of the perineal muscles, making them more pliable and reducing the chance of tearing.
Controlled Pushing Techniques
Using controlled pushing techniques during the second stage of labour is important. Uncontrolled or forceful pushing can increase pressure on the perineal tissue and increase the risk of tearing. It is important to push slowly and allow the tissue to stretch gradually as the baby descends through contractions.
Birthing Positions
The choice of delivery position can impact the risk of perineal tearing. Positions that facilitate the opening of the pelvic outlet, such as a side-lying position with one knee to your chest, can contribute to a smoother delivery and reduce the likelihood of perineal trauma.
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Pushing positions and techniques
Pushing a baby out requires a lot of effort, so it is important to prepare beforehand. Practising the positions you think you might want to use during labour and birth can help you feel more confident when the time comes. You can also take encouragement from your labour companion or partner, who can suggest positions and provide physical support.
During labour, it is natural to tense up and try to fight the pain. However, it is important to relax your mind and body, which lowers your blood pressure and increases oxygen flow to your uterus and baby. Relaxing can also help you avoid straining, which is exhausting and less effective for pushing. Some ways to relax include watching TV, reading a book, listening to music, or talking with family or friends. Breathing and guided imagery can also help you relax.
When you feel the urge to push, respond with short periods of breath-holding in a calm, unrushed environment. This will give your baby more oxygen, reduce your risk of physical exhaustion, and decrease the chance of trauma to your perineum or pelvic floor. If you are having a difficult second stage of labour, directed pushing might help. However, spontaneous pushing is usually easiest and safest for both mother and baby.
There are a variety of pushing positions that can be used during labour. If you have not had an epidural, you can choose a comfortable position during the second stage of labour. Upright positions include kneeling on the bed or floor, squatting, or sitting with your legs wide apart. These positions can improve blood flow and oxygen to your baby compared to lying down. If you have had an epidural, you may be more limited in your movements, but you might still find it more comfortable to lie on your side rather than your back.
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Post-birth care for mother and baby
Postpartum starts immediately after childbirth and generally lasts six to eight weeks. During this time, the mother's body will return to its pre-pregnant state. The first few weeks with a new baby are very demanding, physically and emotionally, and it is important that new mothers rest and take care of themselves as they recover.
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that mothers and newborns stay at a healthcare facility for at least one day after delivery. This is because many complications can occur in the first 24 hours. For home births, it is important that the mother and baby receive a postnatal examination as early as possible, preferably within 24 hours of birth. WHO also recommends that a trained health worker visits the mother and baby at home within the first week after birth.
In the first week of the postnatal period, severe hypertension, severe bleeding, and infection are the most common contributors to maternal deaths. It is important to be aware of these danger signs and to seek help if something feels wrong. Mothers should also be educated about the physiological process of recovery after birth, including common health problems, and advised to report any health concerns to a healthcare provider. Other common issues in the postpartum period include breast engorgement, nipple pain, sweating, and constipation.
To optimise postpartum care, it is important to begin anticipatory guidance during pregnancy, including discussing infant feeding, "baby blues", postpartum emotional health, and the challenges of parenting. New mothers should also be educated about newborn care, such as umbilical cord care, bathing, breastfeeding, and the importance of immunisations.
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Frequently asked questions
The book, written by Clemmie Hooper, is a no-nonsense, week-by-week guide to pregnancy and the first few months after the baby arrives. It covers everything from how to prevent tearing during birth to what you need in your labour bag, and understanding and coping with morning sickness.
The book has received mixed reviews. Some readers have found the book to be informative, candid, and honest, with a friendly, comforting, and humorous tone. However, other readers have found the content to be sexist, body-shaming, and judgemental.
Once cervical dilation is complete, you can start pushing. Choose a pushing position that you're comfortable with and push at regular intervals, usually three times with each contraction. Push as if you're having a bowel movement, relaxing your body and thighs.
