Birthing Books
When browsing the bookstore shelves I mostly only paid attention to those that looked like they focused
on natural childbirth. I
noticed that by and large, most books on birth are slanted towards natural methods. I think that must be
because women who what to
educate themselves about the actual birth process (and not just what's most conveinient for doctors and
hospitals) end up going the road
of learning the natural methods, and that everyone else just expects that because they're planning on using
drugs, that they won't
actually need to know what's going on in their own body. I personally thing that's a really dumb attitude.
Even if you're planning on a
medicinally assisted birthing, knowing in detail what the stages of labor and birth are and what you can do
during them to help things
along is essential information to have to make any birth a more positive experience.
"Gentle Birth Choices"
by Barbara Harper
A good overview of why natural childbirth is good for the mother and the child. Also highlights negative
aspects of modern
obstectrics practice that usually aren't disclosed by doctors. Doesn't go into any detail about actual
techniques, for that you need
another book.
"Birthing From Within"
by Pam England & Rob Horowitz
When I first went out looking for books on birth I wanted to find one that presented birthing in a spiritual
framework. Specifically, I
wanted a book written from a wholistic/metaphysical/pagan perspective. When I saw the title for this one I
suspected I'd found it. When
I saw the Goddess figure on the cover I knew I had. This book not only portrays birthing as it truely is, a
rite of passage in the purest
sense, but it is also a fabulously informative book on natural childbirth techniques. A plethora of pain coping
techniques, a catalog of
birthing positions with descriptions of what they're for and why they work, guidance on picking the care
providers who are right for
you, and a rainbow of art and craft projects aimed at helping you discover and work through the emotional
roots of fears and anxieties
surrounding labor and birth. This more than any other book on birthing is a must have for anyone of an even
mildly spiritual bent.
"An Easier Childbirth"
by Gayle Peterson
A very practical and very useful guide to working through emotional and spiritual issues surrounding
birth. The information is
presented in a workbook format which makes it easy to delve into your subsurface issues in a
do-it-yourself manner. This book was
pivotal in helping me unearth and deal with some deeply seeded fears that were causing my extreme
anxiety... BEFORE the birth. Because
of the work I did using this book (in addition to other preparations) I was able to enter labor free of fear and
anxiety.
"Natural Childbirth the Bradley Way"
by Susan McCutcheon
The Bradley method didn't end up working for me, but the book did provide a wealth of useful technical
information about the birthing
process. The chapters on pain medications and other medical interventions were very clear and helped me
make informed decisions about
what drugs and procedures I would or would not decide to have if I transfered to the hospital.
| 
