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Breastfeeding Classes & Support About Local Hospitals & Birth Places Copyright 2002-2007
Ordinary Miracles Childbirth Education, Doula Services & Birth Pool Rentals |
There is a tremendous amount of printed information aimed at pregnant women. Most of it is mediocre, much is downright awful. I highly recommend: The Mother's Intention: How Belief Shapes Birth by Kim Wildner - Thousands of women are having "fairy tale births" . Whether your goal is comfort or empowerment, this book is your guide to better birth! The Thinking Womans Guide to a Better Birth by Henci Goer - A birth research expert tells you what you need to know about the evidence relating to common medical practices and cites sources. Great help for communicating with your doctor/midwife. A Good Birth, A Safe Birth by Diane Korte and Rebecca Scarer - Lots of info on informed decision making. The VBAC Companion by Diana Korte - The VBAC bible. Good chapters on selecting supportive careproviders and birth places. Birthing From Within by Pam England & Rob Horowitz- Great emotional/psyhological exercises. When Survivors Give Birth by Penny Simkin and Phyllis Klaus - Understanding and healing the effects of sexual abuse in childbearing women. A must read for survivors and caregivers! Ina May's Guide to Childbirth by Ina May Gaskin - Many desperately needed positive birth stories and an explaination of why midwifery and "The Farm" have such good statistics. Sections on common interventions and suggested questions for selecting caregivers. For fun and other perspectives: Babycatcher by Peggy Vincent - A humorous look at one CA midwife's training and life's work Hard Labor by Susan Diamond, RN (I could list this one below too) lots of birth stories and a personal struggle of a woman/mom/nurse trying to do the best for her patients and family in an imperfect system, very insightful. Caution: Some parts may be difficult to read while pregnant, nurses see everything. For studying childbirth: A Woman in Residence by Michelle Harrison, MD (OB/Gyn) - A woman's experience in becoming an MD & OB/GYN Birth As an American Rite of Passage by Robbie Davis-Floyd - An antropologists view of the procedures/practices of modern US birth based on a survey of mothers' experiences and reactions. Also an interesting survey of OB/GYN's and their training. Sisters On a Journey by Penfield Chester - Words of wisdom and stories of the journeys/futures of several famous midwives. "There is power that comes to women when they give birth. They don't ask for it, it simply invades them. Accumulates like clouds on the horizon and passes through, carrying the child with it." -Sheryl Feldman |
Complete Book of
Pregnancy and Childbirth by Sheila Kitzinger - My #1
overall pregnancy book.