Useful Resources

Recommended literature for parents and birth workers

These writers have shaped and informed the midwifery work of Hannah

Michel Odent: Birth Reborn/primal health/ Water, birth and sexuality

Awakening Fertility: Heng Ou

Sarah Buckley (undisturbed/ecstatic birth/gentle birth): https://sarahbuckley.com/references-resources/

Holistic Stages of Birth: https://www.thematrona.com/holistic-stages-of-birth

Robin Lim: https://www.iburobin.com/ (placenta, birth)

Nutrition: The Nourishing traditions book of baby and child care (S. Fallon)

Ina May Gaskin: Spiritual midwifery; Guide to Childbirth

Postpartum: Heng Ou: The first forty days

Podcasts

Indie Birth: https://indiebirth.org/podcasts

Aviva Romm: On Health: https://avivaromm.com/category/podcast/

At Her Feet by Blyss Young - Spotify podcast (for birth workers)

Professional birth network Portugal

• APEO (Associação Portuguesa dos Enfermeiros Obstetras): the primary resource for finding qualified, certified Portuguese midwives; https://apeo.pt/

• List of licensed registered homebirth midwives in Portugal: https://associacaogravidezeparto.pt/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Lista-de-Profissionais-de-Saude-Parto-Domiciliar_2025.docx.pdf

• https://associacaogravidezeparto.pt/: know your rights during pregnancy, birth and postpartum

• Rede Portuguesa de Doulas: They often list midwives as well as doulas who support home births.

  https://www.redeportuguesadedoulas.com/

• Expat Forums & Groups: Search Facebook groups (e.g., for Algarve, Lisbon, Porto expats) for recommendations and lists shared by other parents.

  Recommended facebook group: Positive Pregnancy, Birth and Postpartum in Portugal, created by Shona Becker

Evidence informed birth

Location of birth: in Portugal you have the choice between giving birth at your home, at the hospital (public or private). A birth Center does not (yet) exist. Be informed about your health number, your back-up hospital and transfer time. Take time to talk with your health provider about what the ambulance can bring and how long they take to arrive.

Very informative website on any questions you might have regarding your pregnancy and birth in Portugal: https://pregnantinportugal.pt/

You cannot choose, if you are not informed about choices. By putting together a birth vision, you will want to inform yourself. Good resources:

APEO: https://apeo.pt/

Evidence based birth: up to date info on all birth related topics: https://evidencebasedbirth.com/

Advocate gynaecologist for parto humanisado: https://marianatorres.pt/

Hand-outs for parents in different languages: https://www.ontariomidwives.ca/client-handouts

List of questions for your homebirth midwife: https://nationalpartnership.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/what-to-ask-home-birth-attendee.pdf