Birthing from Within

[Mommay]

I did the Bradley Method the first time around, but got the book about birthing from within after hearing some good things about it. I've started to read it, but I was wondering if others have read it, and if so, do you think it's worth the read? What were your experiences with it?

[~Megan~]

I looked through it but didn't totally read it.

It was too ooey-gooey for me. I didn't feel like drawing a picture to depict my feelings about my caesarean....

[mtn. mama]

This is a book that I keep in my lending library to give to the mom's I work with. Although some may feel that they are not into the creative exercises, the advice that is given on how to breathe and visualize through labor are very good. I encourage my moms to take a look at those sections as they near their edd. So, if you have the book or have access to it, it is worth the read for that reason alone. Enjoy!

[canadiangranola]

I loved it the first time round, and actually did a childbirth course based on that philosophy. I'm an artsy fartsy girl to begin with though, and I really liked the idea of marking my pregnancy journey with some of the artistic exercises. I still have a clay model of myself birthing that I made during the course, it's actually on my computer desk as I type ...the baby and the arm gor broken off so i've been meaning to bury it in the backyard and let earth reclaim it, but that's a bit off topic.

I think the read is for sure worth it., If you are plannign for a drug free childbirth, you need some concrete techniques to help you through it (as you know form bradley, i would assume) ...the book has lots of ideas for different techniques. I also find that the section on facing your birthing fears is a valuable one, ironically enough, moreso now that I am facing a second...the first time round I wasn't scared...but now I know what I'm in for :LOL

Anyway, I left my copy at the hospital after ds was born, and will be getting another copy early in my pregnancy this time.

[Mommay]

I already like stuff about it. For instance, the book talks about addressing your number 1 question and your worries. Tonight, my husband and I wrote down all the stuff we associate with pregnancy and birth and then we evaluated what assumptions we were bringing into this journey. We also did a "worry list" and talked through all the worries that we had.

You'd be surprised how much you may not know about your own worries and dh's. Even after ds's birth, I think there are issues that were left unturned. If anything, the book helps you to talk in concrete terms. I'm into Zen, so I can tolerate some of the artsy fartsy elements.

Anyway, let me know how your reading goes this time. Perhaps we can discuss as time goes on.