Congratulations! You're expecting! This is a wonderful, even magical time for you. For some, however, this miracle can lead to unwelcome advice from doctors, family members, even strangers on the street! The internet boasts a wealth of information, but how can you sort fact from crap? Michele Pedersen's experience as a birthing coach will guide you through making plans to celebrate your miracle of life on your terms. In Natural from the Start , she speaks candidly about the way western society expects women to birth in hospitals, sometime with doctors who do not listen to the needs of women who know their bodies. Even if you do end up with a hospital birth of delivering your baby via Cesarean, Pedersen empowers you to heal yourself with detailed, yet down to earth explanations based both on her years of experience and backed up by experts in the field. Not pregnant yet, but trying? Steps to healthy conception are included. Already gave birth, and still healing? Post-partum health is included, too. Natural from the Start covers many facets of pre- and post-natal health care, including diet, exercise, stress reduction, and tools to empower your support system and improve your own spirit and energy. This is an exciting time for you! Don't let anyone steal your joy. Allow this book to guide you into creating the specific plan that will help you feel empowered on this journey of bringing new life into the world.