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Best Resources

post #1 of 9
Thread Starter 

I'm a total birth junkie, but after 3 kids I've read (and re-read, and re-read again) all of my favorite books. I thought maybe we could all put our favorite books/websites/movies out there...

 

Books I love include:

 

Anything by Ina May Gaskin

Thinking Woman's guide... by Henci Goer

Birthing from Within by Pam England

post #2 of 9

My favorite book I learned of last pregnancy and actually learned things then that I didn't know before then! Even with all the research I did... it's The Birth Partner by Penny Simkin.

I think my favorite part is it doesn't assume anything except that you will be giving birth. Not where you will, not how you will do it, and it explains all of that for you. So despite that I probably won't have a c-section, I know what to expect if I do. And despite that I don't use pain medications, I know what they do... and I learned a few new positions and relaxation techniques that helped me last pregnancy! Plus, I highlighted parts that really stuck out to me, like "don't ask the mom questions during a contraction" and ways my husband can help out and really be a part of the labor instead of just being there, and pointed them out to him and it was so helpful. He ended up being so very supportive and awesome, and did exactly what I asked him to do (reminding me that I am strong and amazing and can do this because I've done it before, and that the moment baby is out it's over so focus on that)

 

Also, anything by Ina May... of course.

I think I'll be getting Thinking Woman's guide and Birthing from Within this time, I've heard a lot of good stuff about both.

post #3 of 9

I have the Thinking Woman's Guide and just haven't gotten around to reading it, yet. I keep hearing such great things about it, though.

 

I, too, am in love with any book by Ina May Gaskin. Her childbirth book really changed the way I'm thinking about so many things. I feel so much more relaxed and comfortable with the decisions we're making and I feel like I'm making them much more informed about how I feel deep inside about so many things. I can't wait to get through a few more of my books and pick up her Spiritual Midwifery book. I have her breastfeeding book as well, but am going to wait until the 3rd trimester to start on that one.

 

Other than Ina May's book, one of my favorites so far has been the Everything Vegan Pregnancy Book. I honestly think that every pregnant woman could benefit from the nutritional information in the first part of the book. The author, an RD, goes into so many nutrients that your body needs extra of while pregnant and details what it does for the baby and in your body, why you need it and what foods you can use to get it naturally. There are even some great suggestions on how to "sneak" a little bit of this or that into your food. I don't think you need to be vegan or even vegetarian to find this book useful. I found it really insightful, easy to read and so helpful in making good choices with my food (even though I do eat pretty healthy anyway). 

 

A book recommended to me by my naturopath that I also quite like is called The Natural Pregnancy Book: Herbs, Nutrition and other Holistic Choices. I love that it's written by an herbalist (and I think she's also a midwife, maybe?). There is a great section in there on safe herbs and such for when you have different ailments. It's a little crunchy in places, but I find it a great reference. 

post #4 of 9

My favorite birth author is Kitzinger. I also really like Active Birth by Balaskas.

post #5 of 9

I did not love the Thinking Woman's Guide. I felt like it was very "conspiracy theory".

 

We took childbirth classes with the author of The Birth That's Right for You (Lisa Gould Rubin). I was just looking at her web-site and she has an interesting blog entry about her first birth that ended in a c-section. (Her subsequent 2 children were HBAC.)

 

http://thegoodbirthcompany.com/cesarean-section-is-up-again

post #6 of 9

I love Ina May. 

Heart and Hands is really good if you really want to know a lot about pregnancy and birth. I read it to prepare for when I start midwifery school (was planning that this year until we decided on baby number three... now that will be at least 3 years away) but I think a lot of birthy mamas would really enjoy it. I also think that "The Birth Partner" is a good read. "Birthing from Within" has some good stuff even if you aren't going to take the class/ use that method for childbirth. 

post #7 of 9

I second the "Birthing from Within".  If you have a class available take it, or if not, do some of the art exercises.  Really fun.  And I always love reading Spiritual Midwifery, with all the beautiful photos of the families.

 

ND

post #8 of 9

Not a birth book exactly but I really enjoyed The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding.  

post #9 of 9
Quote:
Originally Posted by Charliemae View Post

Not a birth book exactly but I really enjoyed The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding.  



Another mothering mama bought me this as a birth gift last pregnancy... and wow. I had already successfully breastfed my older two children and that book STILL helped me.

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