General Information Books

• The Birth Partner: A Complete Guide to Childbirth for Dads, Doulas, and All Other Labor Companions (4th edition, 2013), by Penny Simkin, will help build knowledge and confidence for your partner, friend or family member as she or he prepares to offer labor support.
• Get Through Childbirth in One Piece! How to Prevent Episiotomies and Tearing (2001), by Elizabeth Bruce, covers strategies for avoiding perineal damage before, during and after delivery; why a tear is preferable to an episiotomy; optimal positioning for delivery and more.

Prevention Strategies

• Medline Plus Pelvic floor muscle training exercises
• Mayo Clinic Kegel exercises: A how-to guide for women
• The National Institute on Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases’ Exercising Your Pelvic Muscles guide gives instructions for performing Kegel exercises.
• The University of Michigan’s Promoting Effective Recovery from Labor (PERL) Project website provides guidelines on perineal massage, pelvic floor exercises and spontaneous, mother-directed pushing.
• The Female Pelvis: Anatomy & Exercises (2003), by Blandine Calais-Germain, gives details on the pelvic anatomy as well as specific exercises to increase the flexibility, strength and coordination of pelvic functions.