It is very important to choose the right childbirth books to read.
The books you choose can not only provide you with factual information, they can also influence the crucial decisions you make about your birth.
You are reading: Books about labor and delivery
It can affect how you feel about labor and how you actually give birth.
A book can make you feel more worried and insecure, or it can give you the confidence you need to give birth the way you dream of.
You won’t find some of the best-known and best-selling childbirth books on bellybelly’s list, but for a very good reason.
That’s because this list has been compiled with you, your partner, and your baby in mind. I want to help give you the best possible start so you can have the best possible birth.
The following books on childbirth are fantastic books that I and others in the childbirth industry think are worth more than their weight in gold. I recommend them to clients, friends and family; in fact, anyone looking for a great book. while all of these books are amazing and offer something different, you may be left wondering which one to choose.
For someone just starting out or just buying a couple of books, the top two books are my staples: the must-haves for the woman starting childbirth education.
10 best books on childbirth
So, here are my 10 recommended childbirth books for childbirth. if you’ve read any of these, let us know what you thought in the comments section at the bottom of the article!
#1: birth with confidence by rhea dempsey
as one of rhea dempsey’s students in 2005, i’m thrilled that rhea has finally written a book. her work is incredible and unique.
make this one of your pregnancy staples, no matter where you live in the world.
In Childbirth With Confidence: Smart Choices for Normal Birth, one of Australia’s leading thinkers on childbirth explains why normal childbirth is nearly impossible in our current childbirth culture and what women can do to beat the odds.
In this straightforward book, Rhea Dempsey draws on more than thirty years of experience to show how a woman’s choice of caregivers, support team, and place of birth, as well as her life experience and personal attitudes towards pain will affect the results of your delivery. .
With real-life stories, the latest Australian statistics and opportunities for guided self-reflection, Leaving With Confidence provides the knowledge and practical advice women need to have the best chance of having a normal birth in Australian culture. current delivery.
born with confidence:
- describe the benefits to mothers and babies of a normal physiological birth
- help you understand how our current birth culture can undermine your attempts at normal birth and the steps you can take to make sure you don’t
- explain how the various ‘circles of influence’ around you, from your friends and family to the larger culture, can support or sabotage your birthing potential
- help you identify your own attitude towards pain (your ‘pain type’) and what it will mean for your birth
- provide practical and emotional steps you can take to raise your pain threshold
- provide you with a framework for deciding on the best caregivers and support people to help you through any ‘crisis of trust’ during labour
#2: active new birth by janet balaskas
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The book I wish I had read before I had children of my own. There are huge benefits to having an active labor, and you’ll learn all about having one in this essential reading book.
Active New Birth contains a foreword by the late Sheila Kitzinger and an introduction by the world-renowned obstetrician, Dr. Michel Odent. three birth stars in one book!
new active labor will help you and your partner prepare for and experience active labor.
Naturally, throughout time and around the world, women have chosen to walk, stand, bend over, lie down, to move their bodies freely and actively to find the most comfortable positions for labor and delivery. childbirth. only we in the west have the extraordinary idea that a woman should lie on her back in a position that defies the laws of nature and gravity.
With this book you can learn to develop all the resources of your body to face the instinctive experience of childbirth. it’s also for couples, teachers, midwives, and everyone else involved, to help mothers get off the birthing table and recapture some of the common sense that has been overlooked by modern obstetrics.
#3: the thinking woman’s guide to better childbirth by henci goer
Henci Goer, an award-winning medical writer and internationally renowned speaker, is the author of The Thinking Woman’s Guide to Better Childbirth. Her previous book, Obstetrical Myths vs. Research Facts, is a highly acclaimed resource for childbirth professionals, and she is a recognized expert on evidence-based maternity care. the book is now a bit dated, but it has some empowering information nonetheless.
In his book, henci goer covers the following topics and more:
- breech babies
- epidurals
- labor induction
- episiotomy
- ivs
- vaginal birth after cesarean section (vbac)
- electronic fetal monitoring
- doulas/midwives
- ruptured membranes
- deciding on a doctor or a midwife
- coping with slow labor
- choosing where to have your baby
“With the help of this book, any intelligent person can obtain the necessary information to make informed decisions. this unique book will provide the tools and confidence to have the best birthing experience possible.” — Don Creevy, M.D., Facog OB/GYN, Clinical Assistant Professor, Stanford University School of Medicine
“The Thinking Woman’s Guide to Better Childbirth puts the power of the latest scientific research on childbirth in the hands of women to help them discern the facts from the myths and make informed decisions about their maternal care.” — Maureen P. Corry, M.P.H., Executive Director, Association of Birthing Centers
#4: giving birth from the inside by pam england
This is the book of the moment for midwives, childbirth educators and pregnant women/couples.
said to be an extraordinary guide to childbirth preparation, england provides us with a challenging and motivating book: there is plenty of practical advice for first time pregnancies, including a positive discussion of the benefits or otherwise of birth plans and support people.
pam england makes good use of art therapy and creative visualization. the book is also full of fascinating photographs and artwork and illustrations.
#5: the ina may birthing guide by ina may gaskin
what you need to know to have the best birthing experience for you. Drawing on her thirty-plus years of experience, the world’s most famous midwife, Ina May Gaskin, shares the benefits and joys of natural childbirth by showing women how to trust the ancient wisdom of their bodies for a healthy and comfortable birthing experience. satisfactory.
Ina May’s Guide to Natural Childbirth gives mothers-to-be comprehensive information on everything from the all-important connection between mind and body to giving birth without technological intervention.
Filled with inspiring childbirth stories and practical advice, this invaluable resource includes:
- reducing labor pain without medication, and the miraculous roles touch and massage play
- what really happens during labor
- Episiotomy: Is It Really Necessary?
- Common Methods to Induce Labor, and Which Ones to Avoid at All Costs
- Tips to Maximize Your Chances of Medication-Free Labor and Birth
- how to avoid postpartum bleeding, and depression
- the risks of anesthesia and c-sections: what your doctor doesn’t necessarily tell you
- the best ways to work with doctors and/or birth care providers
- how to create a safe and comfortable birthing environment in any setting, including a hospital
- and much more
Ina May’s Guide to Natural Childbirth takes the fear out of childbirth by restoring women’s faith in their own natural power to give birth with more ease, less pain, and less medical intervention.
#6: silent knife: prevention of caesarean section and vaginal birth after caesarean section
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silent knife reviews speak for themselves:
- “the caesarean section prevention bible”, – wall street journal.
- “a landmark event that will change the course of obstetric care by giving parents the information they need to make decisions that are best for their own families. comprehensive, easy to read, sensible…must be read by everyone who cares”, – marian tompson director, american academy of medicine alternative birth crisis coalition.
- “reading A must read for all childbirth professionals and parents-to-be” , Journal of Gynecologic Nursing.
- “certainly the most important book on childbirth available today, the silent knife is a must-read for everyone associated with childbirth. childbirth, consumers and professionals. no other book on the market today offers the complete c-section prevention help including vbac information and endorses one of those few books that has the power to change a person’s life.” – justine clegg, cesarean section awareness tip
#7: fearless delivery by grantly dick-read
if you are afraid of giving birth, this is for you.
In an age when obstetrics often replaces childbirth, the philosophy of Dr. dick-read is still as fresh and relevant as he was when he originally wrote this book.
unearths every possible cause of Western woman’s fear and anxiety during pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding, and does so with overwhelming heart and empathy.
Essential reading for all mothers-to-be, midwives, doulas, and anyone else involved in childbirth.
#8: when survivors give birth
If you have been sexually abused, you should read this book before giving birth.
When Survivors Give Birth is written for a mixed audience of maternity care professionals and paraprofessionals, mental health therapists and counselors, and female survivors and their families. The authors expertly and compassionately address the unusual and distressing challenges that arise for survivors of abuse during the birth experience.
The first section informs the reader about the impact of early sexual abuse on children, adults, and all aspects of motherhood. the second section teaches communication skills, self-help skills, counseling techniques, and psychotherapy. the third covers clinical challenges and solutions for doctors, nurses, midwives, doulas, and others. case histories throughout the book clarify and apply the content.”
#9: the birth book of dr. bill and martha sears
Get ready for a safe and happy birth, with help from America’s leading experts in infant and child care. As women today enjoy more birthing options than ever before, the road to a safe and successful birth can be littered with important decisions.
Planning, understanding the resources available to you, and developing your own birthing philosophy can make all the difference. In this comprehensive, reassuring, and authoritative guide, Dr. Bill and Martha Sears, the pediatricians whose books on pregnancy, babies, and parenting have become widely acclaimed bestsellers, delve into the many choices couples face when anticipating the birth of his son.
topics covered in the birth book include:
- select the right setting and equipment for childbirth
- prepare yourself physically and emotionally for childbirth
- use prenatal testing and technology wisely
- define the role of the father
- select a birthing class
- decrease discomfort and speed up the labor process
- choose or avoid anesthesia
- find the birthing position that is best for you and your baby
- decrease your chances of having a cesarean delivery
- turn a surgical delivery into a rewarding experience
As parents of eight children and as medical professionals with nearly three decades of experience, dr. bill and martha sears are uniquely qualified to answer virtually any question he may have about the birthing process. Your unique guide, rich in information and inspiration, allows you to plan and create the birth you want.
#10: the water birthing book by janet balaskas
This book is harder to come by, but it’s worth it if you’re interested in water birth. Written by the founder of the active birthing movement, world-renowned pioneer in natural childbirth, Janet Balaskas.
The Water Birth Book is a comprehensive book on the ins and outs and benefits of water birth. everything you need to know, from the temperature of the water to how a baby breathes underwater, is covered.
Even if you’re on the fence about water birthing, this is a great book to help you make an informed and safe decision.
You can buy these books at:
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- the repository of books that offers great prices and free shipping worldwide.
- amazon (us)