Most helpful books

[bouschka]

Hi all,

I'm interested to know what books were your godsend in researching pregnancy/childbirth? I have the luxury of planning my first pregnancy & will be starting preconception work sometime next year.

I've already read 'Rediscovering Birth' by Sheila Kitzinger & 'The Natural Way to Better Babies' by Naish & Roberts as recommended by Akal Khalsa (www.ourmidwife.com.au (http://www.ourmidwife.com.au)) .

I also have the following on their way from ebay:

Pregnancy & Childbirth by Sheila Kitzinger
What to to Expect When You're Expecting

Misconceptions by Naomi Wolf
Pregnancy Day by Day by Sheila KitzingerKeep in mind that I'll be planning for a waterbirth at home without drugs :yelclap:

Appreciate & value your opinions ladies!

Simone

[bma_one]

Hi bouschka :wave:

I'm currently reading "Ina May's Guide to Childbirth" by Ina May Gaskin

The second section of the book (after all the birth stories) is really good. Ina May is a midwife in America and has her own birth centre where the caesarian rate is something like 1.4% as opposed to the U.S rate of 24.4%. She also gives advice on common interventions and ways of avoiding them, and common pain relief and reasons for avoiding them and ways of avoiding them. I haven't finished it yet, but it's really good.

I also just watched a dvd on waterbirths - it was beautiful. Can't remember what it was called though sorry.... :confused: I have a mate who is a midwife so I get some good resources from her :hugs:

[becca74]

I was gonna say ina mays book :thumbsup:

this was my birthing bible! So obsessed am I with it, I have 2 copies - 1 is always out on loan to someone or other....

Some other good authors:

Michel Odent
Henri Gocer (sp??)
Grantley **** Read
David Vernon
Gloria Lemay

The book 'Birthing from Within' (authors name escapes me at the moment) was extremely influentual for me for my last birth.

check out http://www.midwiferytoday.com/ for loads of articles about birth - Gloria Lemay does some really excellent articles.

I hope you have a beautiful joyous waterbirth :D

[ourfirstbubba]

I am reading Hypnobirthing by Marie Mongan and its great....also has a web site- www.hypnobirthing.com

good luck

[Femme-Fetale]

I swear by KAZ COOKE's books. She has the book "up the duff" for pregnancy and the book "kid wrangling" for when the bubs arrive!
So funny, not all boring medical jargon, and so down to earth! the funny parts made me want to keep reading, as im not much of a reader!:D

[shed]

I would recommend Misconceptions by Naomi Wolf, but you are getting it so I just want to say it was the best book and I read it three times.

I did a lot of research also and I had a great pregnancy and birth. The more you know the more choices you have so you are more likely to make good ones.

Good luck, I look forward to hearing about your journey.

[meme]

subscribe to the australian breastfeeding association at the moment and get a free copy of their book breastfeeding naturally, i love it and while breastfeeding is natural it does take some learning, i wish i had had this book to read while i was pregnant with my first bubba. (also you get their mag with subscription, so worth it:yes: )
my favourite homebirthing/waterbirthing dvd is called the big stretch and was produced by a great homebirth midwife and mothers up my way, not sure where to get it. my local organic shop sells it and they have a website i will pm you, not sure if i can mention it here.

[Tracie]

Hi Bouschka,

Here are some of my faves...........

Birthing from Within - Pam England
Birth Reborn - Dr Michel Odent
Spiritual Midwifery and Ina May's Guide to Childbirth - Ina May Gaskin
The Waterbirth Handbook - Dr Roger Lichy and Eileen Herzberg
Gentle Birth, Gentle Mothering - Dr Sarah J Buckley
Anything by Sheila Kitzinger

For after the birth:-

Bestfeeding - Mary Renfrew
Secrets of the Baby Whisperer - Tracy Hogg

Cheers
Tracie

[ButterflyMama]

I swear by KAZ COOKE's books. She has the book "up the duff" for pregnancy and the book "kid wrangling" for when the bubs arrive!
So funny, not all boring medical jargon, and so down to earth! the funny parts made me want to keep reading, as im not much of a reader!:D

I love her writing too! It's all useful practical advise and I don't find myself getting lost in the medical babble. She's a great writer, and by the sounds of it - a great Mama!

[bouschka]

:D Thank you all for your replies!

Some great selections I haven't come across yet, will definitely look them up.

This forum is truly a godsend for women in all stages of their life! I'm amazed at how much I've learnt in such a short time & also saddened that the rites of passage that used to be passed down from woman to woman during childbirth has been replaced with the medical model. I can't wait to have a few of my female friends help me when my time to birth comes.

:) Simone