Book(s) on Labor and Delivery

MMason12 · May 2014

Hey ladies! This may have been asked before but I do not remember seeing a thread and I couldn't find one using the search feature either.

My husband and I took a L&D class this weekend and sadly, it was pretty much a joke. I feel like I knew the same about L&D after the class then I did before hand, which feels like nothing. I am looking for a good book (or two) to get and start reading on L&D. I feel 100% unprepared and would like to get a little bit better idea of what we should expect and do during L&D. Unfortunately due to our work schedules taking a multi-week class is just out of the picture so I am left with Dr. Google (only semi-reliable) and books.

Thank you ladies in advance for the suggestions!

fernane · May 2014

If you are planning a natural birth, I have read a few good ones. One was Natural Childbirth, and one was Husband Coached Childbirth, by Dr. Bradley. I am currently working on Ina May Gaskin's childbirth book, which came highly recommended. All so far have had great information.

suitern · May 2014

I am also planning on reading Ina May's book and have Natural Childbirth the Bradley Way sitting next to me...I have this weird thing about not reading them for a few more weeks, but that is just me. I have heard great things about both of these. Another book I have heard for husbands is The Birth Partner, I can't remember exactly who wrote it though.

LTMama · May 2014

I read Ina May's guide to childbirth last time around, and it was interesting. But since I was never interested in unmedicated childbirth, it kind of lost me after a certain point. Didn't get the chance to read any other stuff lol.

But if I could do it over, I might pick one book that focuses on natural childbirth, and one that is more hospital/medical intervention oriented, to get a good grasp of everything that's out there. Plus books tend to be slanted one way or another (HOSPITALS ARE BAD! HOMEBIRTH IS BAD!), so I think it's good to read both sides and figure things out for yourself.

MMason12 · May 2014

suitern said:

I am also planning on reading Ina May's book and have Natural Childbirth the Bradley Way sitting next to me...I have this weird thing about not reading them for a few more weeks, but that is just me. I have heard great things about both of these. Another book I have heard for husbands is The Birth Partner, I can't remember exactly who wrote it though.

I have that one! My husband and I are both going through that one together and that is a good book for the other people who will be in the room with you!

MMason12 · May 2014

LTMama said:

I read Ina May's guide to childbirth last time around, and it was interesting. But since I was never interested in unmedicated childbirth, it kind of lost me after a certain point. Didn't get the chance to read any other stuff lol.

But if I could do it over, I might pick one book that focuses on natural childbirth, and one that is more hospital/medical intervention oriented, to get a good grasp of everything that's out there. Plus books tend to be slanted one way or another (HOSPITALS ARE BAD! HOMEBIRTH IS BAD!), so I think it's good to read both sides and figure things out for yourself.

That is good advice! I know I do not want a home birth and after that I am pretty up in the air. I am not saying I won't take medication but I'm not saying I will. I really want to learn about methods to help make it through without medication if possible -- but I want to know about what medical interventions there are and what they do/mean prior to getting there on "go day". Hope that makes sense.

LTMama · May 2014

MMason12 said:

*snip* -- but I want to know about what medical intervetions there are and what they do/mean prior to getting there on "go day". Hope that makes sense.

Totally agree with this. I'm a big believer in making your own decisions, so it helps to hear about all of your options and think about what you want, instead of arbitrarily picking a course and going with it. Good luck!

whitney4126 · May 2014

I am trying to go the natural route. Just finished Ina Mays Guide to Childbirth and I loved it. I've ordered and about go start Birthing From Within. I think it's suppose to have techniques and exercises with coping with the pain.

TantiveIV · May 2014

I have this book, Pregnancy, Childbirth and the Newborn: The Complete Guide. And it's written by a group of women from a variety of backgrounds, so I feel like it presents balance opinions. I wanted something that educated me about all of my options and I feel like this book did it. There were definitely a lot of things that it opened my eyes to, sometimes more than I think I actually wanted to know. Inadvertently, my husband flipped it open one day while eating breakfast and was confronted with the page on episiotomies. He will not look at it anymore.

bardini · May 2014

The thinking woman's guide to a better birth by henci goer is a good one. It is natural birth slanted (which i did want) but does a good job of explaining all the types of interventions you may encounter, pros/ cons & alternatives. Helped me feel confident about saying yes or no to various things that did come up during birth (did both and felt good about those decisions).

MMason12 · May 2014

reverey said:

These are fabulous suggestions...I need to joy them down too and get to reading! @MMason12‌ my DH and I are also work schedule challenged and can't do the multi-week classes. We are doing a one day intensive that goes from 9-4 on a Sat or Sun. Perhaps there's something like that in your area.

@reverey - We did one this past weekend. It was from 9-4 and frankly for the money we paid for it, it was a waste of time and pretty disappointing. They skipped over so much information and when they did talk about things like laboring positions they would just put a slide up showing 5 positions, give us the name of the position and moved on. Neither of us found it helpful which is disappointing to me.

hpragolini · May 2014

My cousin just had a baby in feb. She said she did l amaze on YouTube and it worked out well for her and her hubz. We were going to look into that

T&HLove · May 2014

Haven't read the other answers.. But
Ina mays Guide to Childbirth, Birthing from Within, The Birth Partner (for you and your support person), Natural Hospital Birth
Eta: I also have Your Best Birth, but haven't read it yet to recommend or not

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