Helpful Score: 6
Pregnancy MUST! This was the most reassuring positive book. I remember how I would get so caught up in the plethora of guides, manuals, and "medical" pregnancy books. Some of it would get overwhelming, but whenever I read this book I would have such a sense of peace and calm. It is absolutely reminding us that childbirth is a natural beautiful thing. Personal birthing stories in the first half and a wealth of medical knowledge in the back. I recieved this book from a great friend and have bought a thousand more since then to give to expecting friends. This book should be on every woman's shelf even if you are not expecting, just to have one ready to pass on the next time a friend tells you she is pregnant.
Helpful Score: 5
An oldie but goodie. Ina May's classic book about birth. A lovely ready, though the language is very much situated in the hippie era, during which it was written. Birth stories of women who trust birth abound, and the story of how Ina May got her start is a great read. I wouldn't put this at the top of a list for every expecting mom, but for those drawn to midwifery and the midwifery model of care, it is more than worth a browse-through!! I have read and re-read it several times myself (I bought it about ten years before I got pregnant and it was a nice introduction to the world of childbirth).
Helpful Score: 3
WONDERFUL BOOK !!!!!!! I highly rec. it !
Helpful Score: 1
Written by women about their expirences with childbirth
Even for a childfree woman, this is a fascinating read. A truly different perspective on pregnancy and childbirth is presented here, telling women that giving birth can be a profound, joyful, psychedelic experience, and not the stereotyped horror-movie scene that patriarchal TV and movies always make it out to be.
Many birth stories from real couples are outlined, and there are even some truly breathtaking photo essays that really bring to life the power and joy possible in childbirth.
Women are not reduced to body parts, here, but are seen as whole people, physical, mental, spiritual, relational. This is a book produced by hippies and this work is really a triumph of hippie culture, demonstrating the radical positive difference that a wholistic approach can make to crucial life experiences, like pregnancy.
The midwives who put the book together also include lots of strictly factual information about the body changes women experience in pregnancy, and how to treat various issues before and after birth.
I'll be sharing this with every woman I know who plans to get pregnant. Really an amazing read!
5 stars.
Many birth stories from real couples are outlined, and there are even some truly breathtaking photo essays that really bring to life the power and joy possible in childbirth.
Women are not reduced to body parts, here, but are seen as whole people, physical, mental, spiritual, relational. This is a book produced by hippies and this work is really a triumph of hippie culture, demonstrating the radical positive difference that a wholistic approach can make to crucial life experiences, like pregnancy.
The midwives who put the book together also include lots of strictly factual information about the body changes women experience in pregnancy, and how to treat various issues before and after birth.
I'll be sharing this with every woman I know who plans to get pregnant. Really an amazing read!
5 stars.
