Ina May Gaskin child birth book

MBNB

Our lamaze instructor is pushing it hard core. And the harder she pushes it makes me not want to read it. Anyone read it and find it to be as informational and amazing as my instructor seems to think it is?

blf722

Yes.  Loved it.  I would recommend it to any pregnant woman, no matter what type of birth they want. 

IselaCid

I'm finding the birth stories to be quite inspiring...I'm enjoying it!

DarcyLongfellow

I know exactly what you mean about not wanting to read things that are forced on you!

I'd seen the book Ina May's Guide to Childbirth recommended on here, so I checked it out from the library.

I haven't finished it yet.  The first half is a bunch of birth stories.  I honestly got tired of reading them.  It's all women who gave birth in the 1970's at the midwife center that Ina May founded on a commune in Tennessee.  Not really something I can relate to.

So far, I'm finding the second half pretty good.  The chapter I was reading last night was about the mind body connection and how you mind can make your body not progress in labor, so it's important to be calm.  I like her style of writing, and she seems knowledgeable.

It's worth checking out from the library at least.

Belle15

Our doula highly recommended it too.  I just keep forgetting to get it and at this point i'm not gonna bother.  I think if you're planning on a natural childbirth then it's definitly worth your time. 

MaggitobeBrooks

I skipped the birth stories part.. the rest of the book is sooooo good, loved it and feel totally ready for anything now!

Mrs.Greeko

I really enjoyed "Ina May's Guide to Childbirth."  I did not enjoy "Spiritual Midwifery" as much.  I actually highly recommend reading the first one.  Birth in this country is highly medicalized and if you think that maybe that isn't the best way to approach it it is a great read.  However, if you are all for medicalized birth then it probably isn't the book for you.  If it tells you anything I'm not having this baby in the hospital after the experience with my first so I'm definitely opposed to the medicalization of birth, which is probably why I liked it so much. 

peachypear

Wonderful book!

She's intellegent and has tons of experience. Even if you're not at doing a home birth or using a birthing center (I'll be at a hospital), her information is applicable. My mom was browsing it and said she wished that she had read it before having children!

sosat01

Please, please, please get this and read this book cover to cover, especially if you are considering having natural childbirth. ?Even if you aren't having a midwife or a home birth or think "nah that's for hippies" it's full of good solid information that, i feel, EVERY woman should at least know, despite the birth plan you chose.

The first half are testimonials, which are extremely touching, but I suppose you could skip a few if you wanted. ?The 2nd half is very informative...please don't skip any of this. ?

?

SteffaniO

I loved this book - it really helped me shift my attitude about birth. When I got my BFP I didn't really know too much about birth at all except that it scared me. Reading this book (and doing other reading and talking to my doctor) changed that, and now I'm definitely more confident about being able to try for a natural birth.

babyjoy09

YES get it. it is a great book! a must read for all expecting mothers IMO

MizMac

I'm reading it right now and I really like it ? but it is very hippy-dippy or crunchy or whatever you want to call it, so if you're not interested in that kind of thing, you would probably spend a lot of time rolling your eyes.

aspade

I thought the 2nd half of Birthing from Within much, much better than Gaskin.  I'm not considering a natural childbirth, but you never know what will be out of your control!  And the info about the natural process of labor is more detailed than anywhere else and invaluable (no bs about there not being pain--).

nicinnewyork

i actually thought the birth stories were the best part.  and yes, altho most of them took place at their birthing center, they were not all in the 70s.  what was so great about the birth stories, is that almost each woman has some sort of "issue" or obstacle to the birth that she overcomes one way or another.  i thought the second half of the book pushed MW vs OBs a lot, but there is still a lot of really good information there.  i am by no means a crunchy granola person and i thought this is one of the best childbirth books ive read.

Fluffy

It's a great book.  I recommend reading the second part first and then going back and reading the birth stories.

volleydiva

blf722:

Yes.  Loved it.  I would recommend it to any pregnant woman, no matter what type of birth they want. 

Ditto this!  I am currently reading it! 

lovebook

I absolutely love this book!  I've re-read it about 5 times since purchasing it in the 1st trimester!  I specifically like certain chapters (Sphincter Law is one) and I love certain shared birth stories she includes in the book.  I find it reassuring and empowering as I prepare for a natural birth.

lovindan

I like it, I skimmed the birth stories, the second part is full of really great information. Even if you're not planning on a natural birth it helps to put birth in to perspective.

rebbieW

Yes. I've found it inspirational (at the risk of sounding corny) in each of my pregnancies and have read it again and again.

kimsy

I'm probably in the minority here, but my doula recommended it and I found it kind of annoying. I will say that I put it down after the birth stories, so take my opinion with a grain of salt.