The classic book on home birth! The first section details the experiences of parents and midwives during the birth experience. The second seciton is a technical manual for midwives, nurses, and doctors. Includes information on prenatal care and nutrition, labor, delivery-techniques, care of the new baby, and breast-feeding.
Customer Reviews:
Avg. Customer Rating: 4.5 / 5.0
Ina May's Guide to Childbirth is a much better natural birth advocacy book:
I agree with the reviewer that wrote that the language of the book distracts from its stories. All of the hippy language and ideas makes natural childbirth and home birth seem dated, flighty, and irresponsible. It's sad that a good message gets lost in the outdated language. It's an interesting read, but I certainly wouldn't share it with anyone who wasn't already "converted to the cause." The Farm community's irresponsible and slap-dash approach to the first births makes this seem like a compelling... more info
Exactly what I was looking for!:
I was hoping to find a variety of birth experiences represented and positive birth stories to accustom myself to the wide range of "normal", and found just that!
I think this is a great book to prepare for your own birth. It opens your eyes to the fact that labor does not follow a text book pattern and is different for each woman and each labor.
It doesn't matter your faith or how you define "Spiritual", there is something to be gained for everyone by reading these amazing birth stories!
Buddhism:
Hi. I bought this book to give to a midwife in Guatemala who is a Christian Missionary of AMISH descent. If you read the product description, it almost sounds perfect! HOWEVER it is a "Buddhist" book...that is the spiritual part of it...Buddhism. In case any of you are like me, you might want that to be pointed out. :) That's all!
an invaluable classic:
this classic is a must-read for pregnant women- especially those who, like me and most pregnant women, hear lots of birth horror stories and find themselves in need of positive accounts. ina may gaskin in known throughout the world for her impressive midwifery skills and for her superb outcomes over the years in helping women give birth on her commmune in tennessee.
