Best books that helped you prepare?

Bekkers · August 2012

For those of you who have already given birth naturally, what books best helped you prepare for labor? DH and I have taken a birth/ parenting class, but it was not particularly focused on natural labor (although they were totally supportive and answered all questions I could think of at the time). I just need help with preparing mentally and knowing what I can do to help myself make it through. Thanks also for all the advice and great birth stories on this board!

tokenhoser · August 2012

I liked "The Birth Partner" and "The Official Lamaze Handbook".

There's a list in the FAQ (see my siggy). Smile

mjbaby · August 2012

I found Baby Catcher very enjoyable (it's more like an autobiography of a midwife, but super helpful and gave a lot of good tips). Also, Ina Mays Guide to Childbirth. Some parts I skipped over, but the stories were good.

ReichleyMama · August 2012

Ina May's guide to Childbirth, by Ina May Gaskin

Spiritual Midwifery, also by Ina May, really just an early version of the previous

The Bradley Method

Good Luck!

aylafsu88 · August 2012

ReichleyMama:
Ina May's guide to Childbirth, by Ina May Gaskin

Spiritual Midwifery, also by Ina May, really just an early version of the previous

The Bradley Method

Good Luck!

These books! Also I liked "the thinking womens guide to a better birth" by Henci Goer.

riverrunner21 · August 2012

Check out Pam England's "Birthing from Within".

edenrivers · August 2012

I second the Birthing from Within, you also can find classes that use the materials from the BFW book. This time around we're going to find a Bradley Method instructor.

I liked The Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth.

badbridey · August 2012

The only book we really used was Natural Childbirth the Bradley Way. (we also took the Bradley Method class). I thought this was a great practical guide to natural birth, I especially liked some of the visualizations and the chapter on emotional signposts (knowing when you're ready to head to the hospital, etc).

I've heard that Birthing from Within has some great tidbits as well, but I couldn't get passed all the touchy feely type stuff...just not my personality. I did also like Ina May's Guide to Childbirth and Natural Hospital Birth by Cynthia Gabriel. But towards the end, I ran out of time to finish all the books I had bought, so I chose to focus on getting through Natural Childbirth the Bradley Way, because it was pretty easy to use.