Book list for someone already commited to HB?

[southernmama47]

Hi everyone...I haven't posted here but I lurk often. I am currently 25 weeks pregnant with #2, and am planning my first homebirth. I can't seem to read enough about natural childbirth and homebirths and was trying to find a list of books for someone already committed to a homebirth. Most lists have lots of books about why interventions are bad, i.e. The Thinking Woman's Guide to Birth, etc, but I've already committed to a homebirth. What books do you recommend for someone like me? I've already read Ina May's books, Birthing from Within, Baby Catcher (my fav!), and Childbirth Without Fear. I guess I'm just checking to see if I missed any other good ones

Edited to add: Is The Birth Partner a book geared towards homebirths or hospital births? I am looking for something that my husband can read to put some of his fears (and unknown fears) to rest about homebirths, but I wasn't sure if that was a good book to choose.

[ColwynsMommy]

I loved The Birth Partner. My husband got a lot of use out of it, but so did I. If I recall (haven't read it for almost two years), it talks about both home and hospital birth. I loved the concrete suggestions for positions and coping techniques, as well as the thorough explanations of what's going on both mentally and emotionally (instead of just physically) during each stage of labor, for both the mom *and* the birth partner. I thought it was a really useful book.

I read a lot of books, too. I read some of Sheila Kitzinger's books, in addition to the ones you already mentioned. At some point, though, it just gets repetitive. I know there are a few that get mentioned a lot that aren't just about which interventions are bad, but I can't remember them now.. I was planning on searching myself soon.

[JorgieGirl]

If you are committed to hb and know the physiology of birth, my best recommendation would be to just read as many positive natural birth stories as possible. Adventures In Natural Childbirth is a good book. But I found most of my faves online all over the place.

[berrymama]

My favorite is Special Delivery by Rahima Baldwin Dancy. It is a bit older (1980's-90s) but really good and homebirth focused. I bought mine used. http://www.amazon.com/Special-Delive.../dp/0890879346

[*MamaJen*]

I really like Gentle Birth Choices -- it's good for visualizing your own labor. Also, I agree with a PP -- read as many birth stories as you can. I also loved watching homebirth videos on youtube.
For your partner, I loved this essay, You want to give birth where? It's about a partner who is worried at first when his wife chooses a homebirth, but as he researches he becomes a big proponent. I think it's really common for partners to be a little leery, but if they're the kind to actually look at the evidence with an open mind, they often very quickly become huge advocates for homebirthing.
I'm really into the politics and policies (I'm a big wonk, what can I say?) and I like reading professional studies like the study of North American homebirths or Evidence Based Maternity Care.
Babycatcher was a great book! There's also a cool fiction book called The Birth House about a midwife during the WWI era.

[Comtessa]

I enjoyed a little book called something like "Exercises for Optimal Fetal Positioning." That was super helpful for me as I prepared for birth. Other than that, I second everything the others said. I wouldn't recommend something like Pushed, though, it'll just make you mad and scared of a transfer.