[maciascl]

My cousin is due about 4 or 5 weeks after I am. She is kind of scared about the birth, but she isn't wanting to take any classes or anything like that. She is open to natural birth & has been reading some. Though I forgot to ask her what she's read.

So I'd like to see what books you might reccomend to someone that don't necessarily push the anti-hospital/ anti-doctor etc... kind of agenda, well atleast not very strongly

The only book I can really think of off hand that is pretty balanced, but leans towards natural is The Birth Book by Dr Sears.

What else?

 

[mojumi]

Natural Childbirth the Bradley Way by Susan McCutcheon-Rosegg

First 'found' it through our bradley classes, and have re-read it before each birth. It's next to my cookbooks now, lol, I read it while I'm making meals.

Don't know if this meets your criteria for 'balanced' but I find it honest, straightforward and informative. Even if your cousin doesn't want to take classes it gives good ideas and exercises to practice at home. (Why not take classes, esp if she is scared??)

 

[dvons]

Penny Simpkin's Pregnancy Childbirth and the newborn has lots of stuff for dealing with a natural labor in either a hosptial or home setting. Plus my old midwife (CNM) in Seattle was a consultant for the book! LOL!

Deb

 

[qjraven8]

don't know how acceptable it will appear, but i've been reading HypnoBirthing the Mongan Method by marie f mongan - i mostly appreciate the information on what muscles are doing what and what your body is capable of (i have to know exactly how everything works) and it talks about positive thinking and wording, and of course several different methods of deeper relaxation so your body will let the birth happen instead of allowing the fear in your mind creating tension in your body.

 

[Diprincess]

I've been reading Ina May's Guide to Childbirth. It's been very helpful and calming for me. It's very empowering and has some great personal childbirth stories in it from women who've given birth at home or in a birth center called The Farm. I didn't think I'd be into reading it at all, and have found myself very pleasantly surprised with how much I've enjoyed it.

 

[HomeBirthMommy]

My two favorites:
Birthing From Within
Gentle Birth Choices

 

[Piper's mama]

I want to buy Ina May's Guide to Childbirth for every pregnant woman I know. Maybe even every woman I know who wants to have a baby

. Ina May totally educated me about childbirth, and it was her words I had running through my head during my labor. I give her a lot of the credit for having such a wonderful birth, naturally, in a hospital. I can't recommend this book enough. You may already know this...but please, please tell her not to read What to expect when you're expecting. That, in my opinion, is the absolute worst book for a pregnant woman.

 

[HomeBirthMommy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Piper's mama You may already know this...but please, please tell her not to read What to expect when you're expecting. That, in my opinion, is the absolute worst book for a pregnant woman.

I'll second that. Horrid book.

 

[maciascl]

Thank You!!! Those are all wonderful suggestions!!

More than anything I just want her to have the information & knowledge to be able to make decisions as to how she would like her birth experience to be. (although we all know that we can't CONTROL it) I don't want to push an agenda on her, I just want her to be informed so she knows what options she has.

 

[TurboClaudia]

if you are specifically looking for a book to help her with this, i highly, highly, HIGHLY recommend Penny Simkin et al's book Pregnancy, Childbirth & the Newborn. it's very comprehensive, full of useful and helpful information and representative of all choices.

Ina May's Guide to Childbirth is a lovely read for normal birth stories that are not scary.

~claudia

 

[Guest*]

Another

for Ina May's Guide to Childbirth.

I think this book should be required reading for EVERY pregnant woman and needs to replace "What to expect..." as the childbirth bible. It's very informative no matter where you choose to birth, and the stories are empowering, showing a side of childbirth that is positive and comforting, not terrifying.

If/when I can afford, I'm seriously going to buy this book by the case and give it to every pregnant woman I know.

 

[unitytree]

Ina May is jast plain FAB!! I'm still of the old school and love my copy of spiritual midwifery...with all its funny lingo and outdated...um...perspectives. I do love her guide to childbirth as well, a deffinate must read.

Also:
Birthing from Within- pam england
Birth without Violence- fredrick leboyer
Unassisted Childbirth by Laura Shanley
Wise women herbal for the childbearing years- susan weed
oh, that new Deepak Chopra one.....what the hecks it called..oh
Magical beginings, enchanted Lives...deepak Chopra, Fantastic!!
A child is born- lennart Neilson (great for kids)
Mamatoto- the body shop
Anything by the late jeanine parvati baker ie: Hygia, a womens herbal

oh, and I believe every women should have a chance to see Birth into Being: the russian water birth video...amazing!!!