Are you looking for a collection of the best natural childbirth resources and books to help you make your childbirth goal a reality? you’re in the right place!
As an L&D rn and founder here at mommy labor nurse, I’m dedicated to helping moms who are interested in giving birth without an epidural find the resources and tools they need to make it happen.
You are reading: Books on natural birth
When it comes to having a natural birth, simply wanting to is often not enough. the vast majority of moms who are successful with this goal have prepared a lot physically and mentally to make it happen.
The good news is that there are many wonderful resources out there to educate you and equip you with the tools and tips you need to show off your natural birth.
then, let’s take a look!
best books for natural childbirth
Even in this digital age, sometimes there’s nothing like learning from a book. The internet can seem endless at times. reviewing (and consuming) all the content related to natural childbirth preparation can be quite overwhelming.
Natural childbirth books are a great way to improve your preparation and unwind a bit at the same time. These three books on natural childbirth are my absolute favorites, and I even recommend them to students who take my best-selling online childbirth classes!
They provide a unique and different perspective, and can only enhance your learning as you prepare to give birth without an epidural.
1. the ina may guide to childbirth by ina may gaskin
This book is something of a “cult classic” in the world of natural childbirth, and for good reason! Ina May Gaskin is an American midwife with more than 30 years of experience.
She is often referred to as the “mother of modern midwifery” and is a passionate advocate for birthing without medication or, as she calls it, natural.
Ina May’s book teaches how to trust your body’s ability to give birth, how to reduce labor pain without medication, the importance of creating an atmosphere for your birth, and much more.
When you read this book you’ll get plenty of tips and tools to prepare for natural childbirth, but you’ll also be entertained by the anecdotes and passion infused throughout the text.
one thing to keep in mind is that ina can, and this book, have a strong bias towards natural childbirth. And it’s important to understand that Ina May’s experience of delivering medication-free care was largely at the birthing center in a self-sufficient community known as “the farm.” She and her husband founded the farm in the early 1970s. In other words, she’s likely to get some “hippie” vibes from some of the birth stories and teachings in this book.
While I’m a huge fan of ina may’s guide to childbirth and wholeheartedly recommend it to any mom who knows she wants to try a natural birth, it’s important to understand perspective and bias!
2. bradley-style natural childbirth by susan mccutcheon and robert a. bradley
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natural childbirth the bradley way is another renowned book in the world of natural childbirth. The Bradley method claims a 90% success rate in drug-free births for women who deliver vaginally using this method.
This book was written primarily by Susan McCutcheon, who is a childbirth educator who studied with Robert A. bradley himself (the founder of the technique).
In The Bradley Method, women are taught how to defuse fear, engage and prepare their partner to be a childbirth coach, understand what they call the “induction and C-section epidemics,” and provide detailed guidelines for relaxation, breathing and visualization. for natural childbirth.
Before you buy this book, it’s important to understand that there is again a strong trend in favor of completely drug-free childbirth, and because the Bradley method is a method that’s available in a paid class, you’ll find strong sentiments against it. of other birthing methods in the book.
Finally, I want you to note that this book uses outdated language by referring to your partner exclusively as “the husband.” I wish the updated 2017 version had done a better job of reflecting all the unique birthing and family situations out there.
3. the birthmate by penny simkin
This book is for, you guessed it, the support people who will be attending your birth! it could be your partner, other family members, or even professional doulas. The Birth Companion is written by Penny Simkin, who offers the professional perspective of a PT, childbirth educator, doula, and birth counselor.
This book is packed with tips and practical advice for members to use to support the giving birth mom. Plus, you’ll get an overview of the entire birth process, what to expect, and relatively unbiased explanations of possible medical interventions.
In addition to covering how couples can help during labor, the book includes information on breastfeeding and newborn care from a couple’s perspective, which is added information that is absolute gold!
The fifth edition of this book uses inclusive terms to refer to the person giving birth and their support person.
more essential resources to prepare for natural childbirth
Now, while we’re on the subject of natural childbirth books, I thought I’d give you a little overview of some of the resources we have here at Mommy the Labor and Delivery Nurse to help you prepare for natural childbirth.
Books offer an incredible deep dive into perspective, but taking a comprehensive approach to childbirth education and preparation will actually serve you better.
Let’s look at other resources that can help you too!
childbirth classes for natural childbirth
If your goal is to give birth without an epidural, taking a childbirth class that is tailored to that type of delivery will make a world of difference! Mental health, as well as physical and mental pain coping strategies, will be essential for you to have the positive birth experience you deserve.
By choosing a natural childbirth class over taking a more general childbirth education course, you know you’ll learn exactly what it takes.
birth it up: the natural series
Birth It Up: The Natural Series is one of the most affordable online birth classes specific to natural birth!
promise:
- remove anxiety and fear about labor and delivery
- teach you how to manage your pain, physically and mentally
- prepare your partner to offer support calm and defensive
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- and continue to teach about medical interventions (such as epidurals and C-sections) with an open mind, just in case
So if you want to feel strong and ready for your labor without medication and without an epidural, sign up for this class today!
free childbirth preparation workshop
But I know committing to a paid class can seem like a lot. So if you’re not there yet, you can always check out Mommy’s Labor & Delivery Nurse’s Free Childbirth Prep Workshop, 3 Secrets You Need to Know for an Even Better Labor.
This is a totally free video-on-demand based class that lasts approximately 45 minutes. inside:
- discover the 3 elements of childbirth preparation that have the greatest impact towards a positive experience
- walk away with tons of practical tips that you (and your partner) can start practicing right away right away</li
- participate in live demonstrations of pain coping strategies
- and be well on your way to an even better birth!
This is a risk-free way to check out the delivery nurse’s teaching style for moms, learn some solid basic tips to help you have a natural birth, and find out if an online childbirth class might be right for you.
podcast episodes on natural childbirth
Mom’s Delivery Nurse Podcast is a popular pregnancy podcast that airs every Monday. Each week she’ll hear pregnancy-related topics, interviews with experts, and a variety of childbirth stories to support her through pregnancy, labor, and beyond.
Here, I’ve compiled a list of episodes that feature positive epidural-less birth stories. Hearing other women’s positive experiences with natural childbirth can be a really powerful way to prepare.
- ep2: my birth story!
- ep18: may you have a better labor after giving birth!
- ep41: liesel already had the baby? maybe…but let’s hear the story of a drug-free birth!
- ep44: nurse mom’s second birth story!
- ep50: the positive natural induction story from madison
- ep52: erin’s redemptive birth without medication in the hospital!
- ep55: the story of a birth partner’s birth (part 2)
articles on natural childbirth
The Mommy the Birthing Nurse blog is filled with evidence-based articles on a variety of topics related to pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum. you can use the search bar to find exactly what you’re looking for!
Here I have compiled some of our most popular articles related to childbirth without an epidural:
- delivery nurse
free natural childbirth preparation package
And lastly, I want to make sure you don’t miss out on your free natural childbirth preparation kit! is a totally free set of printables to help you start preparing for an even better birth.
inside you will find:
- Printable Hospital Bag Checklist: Feel 100,000% confident that your hospital bag is stocked with everything you need for your big day.
- printable birth plan templates : have a snack and a large glass of water, and think about all the questions: how do you want to give birth, who do you want in the room with you, what kind of put music and much more. With this plan, you’ll have the sense of control you deserve.
- Printable Birth Affirmation Cards: Our minds can be one of our best assets giving birth without an epidural! ! and birth affirmations are one of my favorite ways to tap into that mental toughness.
- Third Trimester Printable To-Do List: Feel Completely at Ease Heading into Labor , knowing that you have checked all the boxes.
what books and resources on natural birth will you use?
here is an excellent compendium of natural resources for childbirth, and in addition to the books, many of them are completely free.
I’d love to hear which ones you plan to use or others I might have missed. leave me a comment below 😊
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