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? for Midwives and Doulas  

post #1 of 12
8/7/07 at 12:45pm
Thread Starter 
Read one book...
What would it be.

Or, how about 2 books. One for pregnancy and One for birth.

What about childbirth classes? What have you seen great outcomes with?
post #2 of 12
8/7/07 at 12:54pm
only one book would i recommend: Gentle Birth, Gentle Mothering by Sarah Buckley. YOu have to order it online, but I cannot say enough good things about it.

I don't usually recommend childbirth classes, but if I did, it would be modeled on that book.

It's amazing and very focused on what creates a normal, spontaneous birth.
post #3 of 12
8/7/07 at 1:14pm
First of all-- Congrats!

I'm a CBE not a midwife but I would recommend the above book as well as

Creating your birth plan by Marsden Wagner
The Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth by Henci Goer

I'd also really recommend reading Ina May Gaskin's Guide to Childbirth. Lovely birthstories.


I am a Bradley teacher and so, of course, I would recommend Bradley classes. VERY comprehensive!! Check into them early as they run 12 weeks.
post #4 of 12
8/7/07 at 4:32pm
Henci Goer and Ina May Gaskin are must reads.

Birthing From Within by Pam England. I didn't get to take that childbirth class, but if I could have, I would've.
post #5 of 12
8/7/07 at 7:42pm
putting in another vote for 'a thinking woman's guide to a better birth'. it was the most empowering thing i read before the birth of my daughter.
post #6 of 12
8/7/07 at 9:06pm
Ina May's Guide to Childbirth and Spiritual Midwifery, they are beautiful. My DD name is Elyse!
post #7 of 12
8/8/07 at 10:09am
Aren't thes choices interesting?

I'd say it would depend on your personality and what you need from birth. For didactic use, I'd say Thinking Woman's Guide, or even Effective Care in Pregnancy and Birth, but if a woman needs to heal and know her body CAN do it, I'd say Spiritual Midwifery and Ina May's Guide. For a mainstream look, I'd say Dr. Sears' The Pregnancy Book and The Birth Book are great choices.

HTH!
post #8 of 12
8/8/07 at 7:20pm
The one book I recommend over and over because I feel it is so powerful is Ina May's Guide to Childbirth.

The first half of the book is all normal birth stories. Wonderfully inspiring and uplifting and familiarizing for families who may not be coming from that mindset. I've seen so many moms (and dads) transformed by the message in this book: Birth is a natural process.

I know my own births were impacted also by Thinking Women's Guide by Henci Goer. That's good for brainiacs who need stats! LOL

Hugs,
Chris Anne Johnson
post #9 of 12
8/8/07 at 11:49pm
The Thinking Women's Guide is the only book I read while pregnant with my twins and it totally changed my life.

I took a Birthing From Within class and got nothing out of it -- I think it really depends on your personality. It was just WAYYYYYYY too artsy and abstract for me. Tigers? Ice cubes? Huh?

I think Ina May can be a little "groooooovy" so that's also a personality thing, some people might find all the 70s references a little strange.
post #10 of 12
8/20/07 at 10:09pm
Oh my.. that's tough. I think it would depend on where you are in your "birth journey." But if someone who didn't know much about how, where, when or with whom to give birth... I'd have to say start with::::

The thinking womans guide ~Goer
Born in the USA ~Wagner

If you are a veteran birther and just need some fluffy stuff and self nurturing I'd go for Ina Mays guide.

In contrast, if someone in some town were having a book burning ceremony.. I'd have these on the top of my list:

What to expect when you're expecting and
The Girlfriend's Guide
post #11 of 12
8/21/07 at 12:03pm
Book burning... tee hee... ITA!! (I've got a couple BabyWise to add to the pile!)

My top two are Immaculate Deception II by Suzanne Arms and THinking Woman's Guide by Goer.

For a general pregnancy/birth book that appeals to most women but isn't too mainstream, I usually suggest Kitzinger's Complete GUide to Pregnancy & Childbirth. The pictures/diagrams are great!
post #12 of 12
8/21/07 at 1:01pm
Statistically I've had much better luck with my Bradley Method doula clients than my clients that took other methods/"educated themselves". I am a Bradley Instructor and usually end up using a LOT of the stuff that I know from there to assist my moms in labor (which usually quickly relieves DP and Mom).

For books I HIGHLY recommend Henci Goer's "Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth" for every woman...

the second would be based on the person. For VBAC education and empowerment I HIGHLY recommend "Silent Knife"...

I too loved Ina May... but that's definitely more suited for people open to that kind of stuff. Beautiful books though. :
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