I really want a natural birth, and want to get as much information as I can beforehand. I know I am really early, but I like being prepared What did you find most helpful, and what would you suggest as reading? TIA!
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I second Ina May's book. I also liked "Hypnobirthing the Mongan Method." I did hypnobirthing and loved it! There have also been a lot of success stories from moms who used Bradley, so you might look into taking a class. "The Business of Being Born" is a great documentary to see (it's live streaming on netflix).
I love natural childbirth the bradley way. I got it from the library (along with several other natural birth books) and ended up buying it because I want to keep looking back at it!
I just finished Pushed by Jennifer Block. That one can be a bit more disturbing in that it presents the cold hard facts of how hospital births generally go. I did find it incredibly informative though and I do think it is a good read.
I read Bradley's book. the one he wrote, not the other one that other's posted. It's okay, nothing too exciting.
I also skimmed Active Birth. It was okay, but it didn't really interest me all that much.
Mama to Lucy (7/06), Lexi (5/09), and Max (11/11)
M/C 12/17/10
"Ina May's Guide to Childbirth" and "Birth Matters" - both by Ina May Gaskin. I loved them and found them super informative and encouraging. I also liked "Your Best Birth" by Ricki Lake and Abby Epstein.
I will confess that I hated Ina May's book. I just could not get into it at all.
"The Birth Partner" by Penny Simkin is great. "The Birth Book" by Sears was okay, but a bit dated. I've got the most recent Lamaze book now - we'll see if I get around to reading it.
I have read a few books as I am also planning to have a natural
childbirth in a hospital. I have heard wonders about the hypnobabies
course- you purchase it online (amazon seems to have the best deal) I am also on a yahoo groups for natural birth and there are lots of resources on there. https://groups.yahoo.com/group/Hypnobabies/
As far as books go- I have read or am reading the following
I second Ina May's book. I also liked "Hypnobirthing the Mongan Method." I did hypnobirthing and loved it! There have also been a lot of success stories from moms who used Bradley, so you might look into taking a class. "The Business of Being Born" is a great documentary to see (it's live streaming on netflix).
This exactly! I LOVED hypnobirthing, learned some beneficial things from reading the Bradley Method as well, and felt really pumped to do a natural birth after watching the Business of Being Born.
I second Ina May's book. I also liked "Hypnobirthing the Mongan Method." I did hypnobirthing and loved it! There have also been a lot of success stories from moms who used Bradley, so you might look into taking a class. "The Business of Being Born" is a great documentary to see (it's live streaming on netflix).
I also read Hypnobirthing and thought it was great.
Re: Interested in Natural Birth - reading suggestions?
Oscar born October 2011
Miscarriage at 8 weeks (August 2013)
DD due September 1, 2014
I second Ina May's book. I also liked "Hypnobirthing the Mongan Method." I did hypnobirthing and loved it! There have also been a lot of success stories from moms who used Bradley, so you might look into taking a class. "The Business of Being Born" is a great documentary to see (it's live streaming on netflix).
My Ovulation Chart
Natural Birth the Bradley Way by Susan McCutcheon
Gentle Birth Choices by Barbara Harper
I also have loved Ina May's Guide to Childbirth, and have heard good things and am excited to read her newer one "Birth Matters"
Ina May Gaskin's books are good.
I also liked Special Delivery by Rahima Baldwin
I just finished Pushed by Jennifer Block. That one can be a bit more disturbing in that it presents the cold hard facts of how hospital births generally go. I did find it incredibly informative though and I do think it is a good read.
I read Bradley's book. the one he wrote, not the other one that other's posted. It's okay, nothing too exciting.
I also skimmed Active Birth. It was okay, but it didn't really interest me all that much.
I will confess that I hated Ina May's book. I just could not get into it at all.
"The Birth Partner" by Penny Simkin is great. "The Birth Book" by Sears was okay, but a bit dated. I've got the most recent Lamaze book now - we'll see if I get around to reading it.
Natural Birth Board FAQs
Cloth Diaper Review Sheet
Birthing From Within by Pam England
The Orgasmic Birth (can't remember author)
I LOVED Birthing From Within... :-)
I second this.
DS, May 2011
I have read a few books as I am also planning to have a natural childbirth in a hospital. I have heard wonders about the hypnobabies course- you purchase it online (amazon seems to have the best deal) I am also on a yahoo groups for natural birth and there are lots of resources on there. https://groups.yahoo.com/group/Hypnobabies/
As far as books go- I have read or am reading the following
Natural Hospital Birth
Birthing from Within
Hypnobirthing
Husband Coached Childbirth
Nursing Mothers Companion
What to Expect when Expecting
What to Expect the First Year
Ina May's Guide to Childbirth
Everything Parents Guide to Vaccines
I have also read various online books in pdf format (some of which I found through the yahoo group)
Hope that helps a little!
I second Birthing form Within
This exactly! I LOVED hypnobirthing, learned some beneficial things from reading the Bradley Method as well, and felt really pumped to do a natural birth after watching the Business of Being Born.
I also read Hypnobirthing and thought it was great.