Books
Pregnancy Books
There are alot of books out there for pregnant women; fluffy books, clinical books, funny books, those that are dumbed down, and those that are filled with fear programming. I bought and read quite a few, and browsed many others. Listed below are the ones that I found the most helpful and those with the best balance between cold medical facts and a compassionate wellness perspective.
"The Twelve Month Pregnancy"
by Barry Herman & Susan Perry
A novel approach, but something that all prospective parents would be wise to become informed about... preconception planning. There are a surprising number of things you can do before you even conceive to assure yourself of a more positive and healthy conception, pregnancy and birth. Starting three months before conception, this book is full of practical and simple advice.
"The Pregnancy Book"
by William Sears & Martha Sears
The Sears' parenting series has become an invaluable part of my personal library, and their book on pregnancy is the definitive "what you need to know" pregnancy book. I found the information and the way it is presented in this volume to be vastly superior to the other Pregnancy 101 books out there. So many of the other general pregnancy books, especially the so-called "best sellers", are full of negative attitudes about the mechanics of pregnancy and birth. Many of the books focus so exclusively on "all the things that could go wrong" that I was turned off again and again until I found the Sears' offering.
"Pregnancy The Natural Way"
by Zita West
Another must have, this book catalogs a wealth of natural, do-it-yourself remedies for the "minor" discomforts of pregnancy. The information, presented in a friendly and concise manner, is arranged by trimester and includes chapters on preconception, labor and postpartum. I found things in this book about prenatal nutrition, exercise, herbalism, aromatherapy, flower essences, homeopathy, reiki, massage, and much more that I could have hunted for in a dozen other books, all in one easy package.
"Eating Expectantly"
by Bridget Swinney
Not just a book of recipes, this guide give nutrition advice tailored to each stage of pregnancy.
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.
Books About Babies & Children
The Baby Book
Sears & Sears
The Fussy Baby Book
Sears & Sears
The Wonder Weeks
Hetty Vanderijt & Frans Plooij
Baby Steps
Claire Kopp
The Everything Toddler Book
Linda Sonna
Books About Pagan Parenting
Circle Round by Starhawk, Diane Baker & Anne Hill
The best paper resource I've found so far. It has it all; advice, rituals, activities. A must have.
Raising Witches by Ashleen O'Gaea
Focuses on the parenting aspect, with specific practical things you can do to integrate witchcraft into your childrearing.
Pagan Parenting by Kristin Madden
Haven't read this one yet. I bought a used copy and when it showed up it reeked of old cigarette smoke. Yuk! It's still sitting in a ziplock baggie coated in baking soda.
Celebrating The Great Mother by Cait Johnson & Maura D. Shaw
Haven't read this one yet.
Pagan Kids' Activity Book by Amber K
Haven't bought this one yet.
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