Thursday, July 9th, 2009

Birthing Books

posted by lizzie    « 10 Comments »    tied to Uncategorized   

I’m starting to prep myself mentally for giving birth again, so I’m in the market for some good books. Last time around I read a lot of birth stories online as well as Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth by Ina May Gaskin, Active Labor by Janet Balaskas, some of Birthing from Within by Pam England, The Birth Partner by Penny Simkin and Hypnobirthing: The Mongan Method by Marie Mongan.

I just ordered Spiritual Midwifery by Ina May Gaskin from the library, and I’m looking at Calm Birth by Robert Newman, Preparing for Birth with Yoga by Janet Balaskas, A Good Birth A Safe Birth by Diane Korte and Adventures in Natural Childbirth edited by Janet Schwegel.

Does anybody have any thoughts/experience with any of those books? Would you recommend any others?

Thanks.

Comments

  1. Eliza says:
    July 9, 2009 at 7:16 pm

    Pretty much the only two I read were already on your first list: Ina May's Guide to Childbirth by Ina May Gaskin and Hypnobirthing: The Mongan Method by Marie Mongan. While reading both of those books I found myself nodding in agreement to much of what was said.

    I liked to do positive visualizations and meditating like athletes do before a big event.

    Really the only thing I would have done differently when delivering naturally with Aaron would have been to NOT have a VERY TIRED and VERY SCARED 2 year old in the birthing room at 3 o'clock in the morning with me because having such made it all the more difficult to relax and be calm.

    So, just make sure you have someone lined up to watch sweet Simon day or night at a drop of hat when the time comes. :-)

    You'll do great again!

  2. Stephanie J. Robertson says:
    July 9, 2009 at 7:57 pm

    i read and loved: thank you dr. lamaze and i think you will reallylike it too! i gave it to diana when she found out she was pregnant with wren otherwise i would just mail it to you. it was super checp on half.com though- check it out.

  3. heather says:
    July 9, 2009 at 8:07 pm

    My mom always recommended to me "Childbirth Without Fear" by Grantly Dick-Read. He coined the term "natural childbirth" in the 30's and really spearheaded the reactionary movement against lots of medical intervention in birth. I didn't read all of it, but I enjoyed what I did read.

  4. Melissa says:
    July 9, 2009 at 8:42 pm

    im glad you posted about this. I have no suggestions but will be glad to read these when i have numero dose.

  5. jenerekfamily says:
    July 10, 2009 at 4:36 am

    I read Spiritual Midwifery and enjoyed it. I DID find it amusing how many of the people who gave birth (generally hippies) would describe birth in a way that I would expect them to describe being high on drugs. Still, I enjoyed the book and felt it has much to offer.

    And one that I think that every pregnant woman should read: "The Thinking Woman's Guide to A Better Birth," by Henci Goer.

  6. Stephanie says:
    July 10, 2009 at 5:34 pm

    I haven't read any of those books you mentioned besides Hypnobirthing. But there was one other book that I really thought was helpful, I think it was "Trust Your Body! Trust Your Baby!" by Andrea Frank Henkart.

  7. Anonymous says:
    July 11, 2009 at 5:52 am

    The Girlfriends' Guide to Pregnancy by Vicki Iovine is very insightful! She also has books on toddlers…

    http://www.girlfriendsguide.com/site/?page_id=12

  8. Eliza says:
    July 20, 2009 at 1:00 am

    Oh, I've also heard these ones are good reads in preparation: Birthing from Within & Your Best Birth

  9. Anonymous says:
    August 23, 2009 at 6:20 pm

    Hi – just lurking here, but I've read all of the books you listed, all good – try too A Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth by Henci Goer. It's a great reference that I think all women should read the minute they POTS. Congratulations!

  10. Anonymous says:
    August 23, 2009 at 6:20 pm

    Hi – just lurking here, but I've read all of the books you listed, all good – try too A Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth by Henci Goer. It's a great reference that I think all women should read the minute they POTS. Congratulations!

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