I am looking for some good natural birth books. I would like to attend classes, but as I don't even have insurance yet, I can't plan on spending the money. Amazon used books, though, sound wonderful. I've got Husband-Coached Childbirth by Bradley on my list already, but some other recommendations from you ladies would be wonderful! Thank you!
Re: Good books?
Ina May's Guide to Childbirth.
I would read (a) Natural Childbirth the Bradley Way by Susan McCutcheon instead of (or at least before) (b) Husband Coached Childbirth, personally. Dr. Bradley's tone in (b) is a bit outdated (kind of chauvinistic). (a) is more instructive and relevant, I thought.
My BF is reading The Birth Partner and so far seems to be enjoying it. He said there is a lot of information that he would have never considered prior to reading it.
I read Birth Matters but I didn't think it was as good as Ina May's Guide to Childbirth.
I read Husband Coached Childbirth and hated it. Really turned me away from the Bradley method (though my understanding of bradley classes is that they are quite good) The book is so dated- still talks about how women literally get strapped down to the bed (which they are not anymore) and act like crazed lunatics after getting medication. It demonizes all use of medication.
As far as books go- I have read the following
Natural Hospital Birth
Birthing from Within
Hypnobirthing
Husband Coached Childbirth
Ina May's Guide to Childbirth
Nursing Mothers Companion
Womanly Art of Breastfeeding
What to Expect when Expecting
What to Expect the First Year
Everything Parents Guide to Vaccines
Ina May's guide to childbirth
birth Your Way by Ricki Lake and Abby Epstein
Also watch the Business of Being Born if you haven't already, it's on Netflix.
Karen Salt's The holisitc guide to embracing pregnancy childbirth and the newborn ( I think that's what it's called)
I was not a fan of the Birth Partner OR Bradley's Book for DH. He learned more from our one day class and from me highlighting certain sections of my books for him to read.
This.
I loved the birth stories in Ina May's Guide to Childbirth. They were very encouraging.