Mother's Intention is an insight into modern childbirth that gives you the facts not the fiction, plus tons of encouragement and support for every mother-to-be who's searching for the positive experience that is rightfully theirs. Rarely has the phrase 'a must read' been used with such good reason. It IS a must read, but not only for mothers-to-be, their partners and their professional careers - EVERYONE even remotely interested in understanding the childbirth experience and its meaning in our lives will benefit from reading this outstanding book.

Calm birth : New Method for Conscious Childbirth" by Robert Bruce Newman" Really good book. Based on Dick-Read and Lamaz earlier philosophies.

"Calm Birth is a sublime gift to all of us. It contains the blueprint for reconnecting with birth wisdom on all levels. Reading through this book and doing the practices will transform the birth process and imprint a peaceful beginning in both mother and child. The positive impact of this on society can't be overestimated."

-----Christiane Northrup, MD, author of Mother-Daughter Wisdom and Women's Bodies, Women's Wisdom

"Calm Birth is the childbirth method that society and I have waited for. It's been a long time coming, a very long time. I am a midwife and an educator with a steady devotion to childbirth. I urge everyone to buy Robert Newman's inspired book...The book does what is so deeply needed. It heals the Earth by healing birth."

------Jeannine Parvati Baker, LM, author of Conscious Conception and Prenatal Yoga and Natural Childbirth

Painless Childbirth: An Empowering Journey Through Pregnancy and Childbirth by Giuditta Tornetta

Synopsis

Painless Childbirth: A Nine-Step Guide to a Conscious and Sacred Birth is a road map for a woman to achieve painless childbirth. Rather than offer advice or solutions for the many challenges that surface during pregnancy-which most books on pregnancy do-Giuditta Tornetta offers a nine-step process that leads women to discover their innate ability to give birth to their babies and build their self-confidence. She does this by basing the experience more on inner knowledge and less on "experts."

While many women react violently to the use of the word painless in connection with childbirth, every year thousands of women worldwide-and from differing backgrounds-experience a painless childbirth. The author herself has experienced it. How does this happen?

Pain is what we feel when something goes wrong. When we break a leg or sprain a joint, we feel pain. There is no relief unless we resort to painkillers. By contrast, childbirth is a natural event with a known positive outcome. And while a birth contraction is indeed intense, it lasts only a minute and then you get a break. When a woman learns to manage these contractions one minute at a time, she learns that labor is very different from what she has experienced as pain in her life so far. Once the baby is born, the sensations of labor go away, and the mother has a happy, amazing, loving baby snuggling in her arms.

Ina May's Guide to Childbirth by Ina May Gaskin

Synopsis

What you need to know to have the best birth experience for you.

Drawing upon her thirty-plus years of experience, Ina May Gaskin, the nation’s leading midwife, shares the benefits and joys of natural childbirth by showing women how to trust in the ancient wisdom of their bodies for a healthy and fulfilling birthing experience. Based on the female-centered Midwifery Model of Care, Ina May’s Guide to Natural Childbirth gives expectant mothers comprehensive information on everything from the all-important mind-body connection to how to give birth without technological intervention.

Filled with inspiring birth stories and practical advice, this invaluable resource includes:• Reducing the pain of labor without drugs--and the miraculous roles touch and massage play

• What really happens during labor
• Orgasmic birth--making birth pleasurable
• Episiotomy--is it really necessary?
• Common methods of inducing labor--and which to avoid at all costs
• Tips for maximizing your chances of an unmedicated labor and birth
• How to avoid postpartum bleeding--and depression
• The risks of anesthesia and cesareans--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, comfortable environment for
birth 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.

Active Birth: The New Approach to Giving Birth Naturally by Janet Balaskas

Customer Reviews

Number of Reviews: 4
Average Rating:

Practical, Intelligent, Wellrounded and Empowering
A reviewer, A reviewer, 12/02/2005

First time mother, I read this book in my eighth month and found it to be excellent and most importantly useful. I followed the advice as per the book and I labored for 4.5 hours and delivered my baby without drugs or any unneccesary medical interventions!!!! My labor, to my surprise, went fast and I felt in control. I attribute this success to this book. A must read for anyone considering a natural and drug free birth.

Also recommended: Natural Childbirth the

Wonderful Book
A reviewer, A reviewer, 06/29/2004

You NEED to read this book...I had to have a pitocin-induced labor and I had no trouble getting through contractions and delivery (pain-med free) because I used the positions and techniques in this book. My husband later told me that the nurse called in a few other nurses to watch me labor through transition because they were amazed at how well I handled it. I was so engrossed in laboring I had no idea anybody other than my husband was in the room. Absolutely amazing resource

Incredibly useful
Liz Smith, a childbirth educator, 10/29/2001

Active Birth is awesome! Birth really is meant to be an active experience. It helped me through 3 unmedicated VBACs, one of them a posterior baby. Balaskas' suggestions are logical & easy to practice. Why don't more doctors use these suggestions?

Also recommended: Get Through Childbirth in One Piece

What doctors will not tell you, this book will!

I wish I had found this book with my first pregnancy, But I didn't until my fifth. What I learned from Active Birth dramatically shortened my labor and reduced my stress and pain. This information is something that I will always be greatful for.

Birth Partner: A Complete Guide to Childbirth for Dads, Doulas, and Other Labor Companions by Penny Simkin

Synopsis

For almost two decades, The Birth Partner has been the definitive guide for husbands, partners, relatives, friends, and doulas (labor assistants) who wish to help a woman have a positive childbirth experience. The expanded third edition provides the most up-to-date information about techniques and medications for easing labor pain; tests and treatments of the fetus and newborn; strategies to help labor progress; medical procedures; and how to best help the mother during the early postpartum period.