reading suggestions for homebirth

[beautiful_mama]

I am looking for some good suggestions on homebirth reading.

I want something that will inspire me, and maybe give some practical tips, versus the nitty gritty of birth.

I have 6 kids already, 4 of which have been matural births and the last was born in the water at my M/W's birth center ...plus being a birth doula myself, I don't need anything that will tell me why homebirth is good...i already know all that, I just want some thing that will help to relax and prep my mind for this new (in a sense) experience.


Also, birthing method books. I have always used Bradley but have considered hypno birthing...

Anyone here used both and find one more helpful over the other?

[cornpicker]

There are some resources listed in the sticky above.

I liked Ina May's Guide to Childbirth, both for the birth stories and also the practical tips. Good luck!

[KarenMT]

Hi Chris - I like the following books: "birthing from within", "active birth", Ina May's guide to childbirth, and spiritual midwifery. I'd love to check out a Bradley method book- any suggestions?

[velcromom]

For inspiration, there's nothing like some of the wonderful homebirth slideshows out there like on YouTube or others. Here's one I just saw the other day -
http://www.onetruemedia.com/otm_site...f0f66accb8afce

[FrederickMama]

Originally Posted by velcromom

For inspiration, there's nothing like some of the wonderful homebirth slideshows out there like on YouTube or others. Here's one I just saw the other day -
http://www.onetruemedia.com/otm_site...f0f66accb8afce

that was great ....thank you

[aylaanne]

Spiritual Midwifery!

[JustKiya]

Originally Posted by velcromom

For inspiration, there's nothing like some of the wonderful homebirth slideshows out there like on YouTube or others. Here's one I just saw the other day -
http://www.onetruemedia.com/otm_site...f0f66accb8afce

: Oh, that was beautiful....

[Mamato3wild ponnie]

Oh that was awesome...it brought tears to my eyes....i will watch that over and over...for inspiration...

[greenthumb3]

I second Birthing From Within and Ina May's Gide to Childbirth. I also "discovered", for myself anyway, this book with AWESOME pics of a child growing at various stages. It really facilitated me bonding with my child in utero (seems to me that with each pregnany that takes more "effort", LOL) I also loved the birth pictures towards the end and the babies nursing.

Sheila Kitzinger's book about pregnancy and childbirth is a nice one for reference for various questions that come up during each trimester.

I liked using relaxation/vizualization tapes for preparation for labor. They are my favorite way to relax, besides soothing music. Try it out! Here are some I like:

Sheri Menelli(her book with childbirth stories is inspiring, too)
I buy all my supplies from Casade online. They have a wonderful selection of CD's. Some are self-hypnosis, which I find very relaxing. I've tried Coming Contractions and Journeying through Pregnancy and Birth with this, my third, pregnancy, and like them. They guide you through your face, neck, shoulders, etc. and help you to focus on relaxing all tension. I feel like a wet noodle when they are over, LOL.

It's nice when I get a chance to lie down, which sometimes is only after the kids are in bed and I fall asleep to the tapes ( I only listen to one at a time, of course), but I did the same thing with preparation for baby #2 and I noticed my ability to relax with the contractions and between them was heightened and I credit that ability to 1. reading positive stories and knowing the stages of labor/what my body was going through 2. writing what I wanted to have happen/positive affirmations and hanging them around the house in the third trimester 3. listening (falling asleep) to the visualization/relaxation CDs.

Good luck with your search and Happy Gestating

[pamamidwife]

I love, love, LOVE, LOVE this book:

http://sarahjbuckley.com/html/gentle...-mothering.htm

My only complaint is that there aren't any pictures. But seriously, it's the ONLY book on birth that I don't have issues with. I don't believe in "methods" of birthing - just honing in on your intuitive sense and your natural instincts for birth. That will never fail you.

[Amoreena]

In addition to some of those already posted --

Birthing from Within by Pam England and Rob Horowitz
http://birthingfromwithin.com

Sit Up and Take Notice by Pauline Scott
http://www.midwiferytoday.com/reviews/situp.asp

The Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth by Henci Goer
http://hencigoer.com/betterbirth/

http://www.pennysimkin.com/

http://www.spinningbabies.com/

Any birth book by Sheila Kitzinger.

And I've heard really good things about Hypnobirthing for some mothers.

[beautiful_mama]

Originally Posted by KarenMT

Hi Chris - I like the following books: "birthing from within", "active birth", Ina May's guide to childbirth, and spiritual midwifery. I'd love to check out a Bradley method book- any suggestions?

oh man...I used to know the name of a great suggestion...it was written by a woman on the bradley method..let me get back to you on that one

My last birth the bradley method flew RIGHT out the window because the birth was a mere hour and 57 minutes : ,i didn't even think I was in labor until I was pushing seriously!! I think that why I need to hone in a little bit and get centered. I am curently reading "Releasing the mother goddess" by Feldman and Adamson...very fascinating!!

I will check out spiritual midwifery and birthing from within.

I do have Shiela Kitzinger's homebirth book on hand (borrowed form midwife!)

Oh and I like the afirmation cardsidea!! Thanks ladies