Rating: 
Summary: Liberating read for women, informative for men
Review: After reading this book, I will never look at midwives, childbirth, or my body in the same way again. This honest, authoritative memoir, by a woman who started her career as an obstetrical nurse, liberates women from the embarrassment that starts in adolescence with a budding female anatomy. In her memoir, she presents the miracle of birth and shouts aloud those things that some of our mothers could only whisper and blush about. Immersed in bodily fluids up to her elbows, Peggy checks a cervix as naturally as a mechanic checks the oil. She demonstrates that, regardless of differences in race, belief, life style, or age, birth is a celebration of life. She welcomes each new soul and stands in awe at nature's magic--birth. The writing is warm and welcoming, with a storyteller's enthusiasm and a savvy eye for the humor and irony of every situation. Peggy crafts a must-read for every woman who ever thought about childbirth. Men will discover...they'll gain insight into the intimate world of women and the men who stand with them. A truly strong debut book that fills a remarkably empty niche on the bookshelf....
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Summary: A home birth midwives' review
Review: Birthing women, women thinking about birthing, student midwives, midwives, family's of midwives, midwifery educators should all have 'Baby Catcher' as compulsory reading. At first glance it would appear to be the memoirs of a remarkable midwife, yet it is also a tribute to all the women this midwife attended.
True midwifery is about being 'with women'. What Peggy Vincent has achieved in this wonderful book is to entertainingly describe her journey and those of her clients towards empowering birthing experiences. As a home birth midwife in New Zealand, it was with absolute delight to find a book which so accurately described my own midwifery philosophy. As I read each birth story it was as if I was there with Peggy and as the tears flowed and I nodded and laughed with each tale, I couldn't think of any other midwifery or birthing publication which had moved me so. In a society which relies so heavily on technology and has so much distrust of normal birth, Peggy Vincents chronicles of what can be achieved when we start trusting women's bodies again, is a pleasure to behold.Thank you Peggy.
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Summary: A brilliant, moving, entertaining view of a midwife's life!
Review: Thank you, Peggy Vincent! When I began reading this book, I could not put it down. As a midwife myself, I realized the amazing similarities that are so common to all midwives - especially the chapter entitled "Mom as a Midwife". I read this chapter to my seven year old daughter, and she loved it. I was so deeply engaged in this book that my family was left without my presence, and I found myself praying that I didn't have to leave for a birth just so I could complete this amazing book. Needless to say, I finished it within a day. Her stories of birth are empowering, sometimes hilarious, emotionally riveting, and so true. I cannot recommend this book enough - for anyone that is interested in midwifery, for those who appreciate the beauty and normalcy of birth, and for those who are working to make a change through gentle births. Rah! Rah! Peggy! Wonderful work!
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Summary: Truly an Inspiration
Review: From the moment I picked up this book I could not put it down. I had it finished in four days. It was wonderful...each story was special and told in so much detail. You can tell how much Peggy enjoys being a midwife and that she is one of those that really does care. Being a labor and delivery nurse I can relate too in that I also get to enjoy the start of life. Birth is an amazing life moment and to be a part of that is truly what life and living are all about. I can not what to read Peggy's next book. She is a pioneer of midwifry and we need more outstanding woman like her.
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Summary: Engrossing read for any aspiring midwife or mother
Review: Peggy Vincent's memoir is engrossing, entertaining, and both sad and funny at times. Her tales of births from the 1970's to today are honest and detailed and shed light on how the birth process has changed in the wake of technology. She discusses the politics and legalities of practicing an art that much of the medical community discounts, including topics such as malpractice insurance, lawsuits and managed care. Vincent never lets the reader lose sight of the real reason for the whole practice of midwifery: bringing new human beings into the world in a loving, gentle, family-focused (as opposed to doctor-focused) way. Highly recommended for every aspiring midwife, expectant mother, or healthcare worker who works with women.
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Summary: A fun read and thought-provoking
Review: I found this book to be an enjoyable read, although sad in some places and upsetting in others. I enjoyed the author's tone and writing style, and was fascinated by her journey from wet-behind-the-ears nurse to confident and caring midwife. The author has a definite point of view -- that home can be a safe place to have your baby -- and if you disagree strongly with that idea, then this is probably NOT a book you would enjoy. But if you're willing to accept the idea that home births might be okay, at least for some people,
and if you can recognize that hospitals and doctors, although skilled & well intentioned, are not perfect,
and if you enjoy birth stories,
then I'd recomend giving this book a try. For what it's worth, I read this book when I was pregnant with my first child (who was born in a hospital, with a midwife "catching").
Rating:
Summary: a pleasure to read
Review: As a student midwife and mother of three homebirthed babies, I have read every book out there regarding birth. Peggy's book is such a delight! What I love the most is that she imparts so much information and wisdom, not through preaching or lecturing, but through storytelling. Any one of the chapters could stand alone as a short story. It is equally compelling as a memoir and as an informative birth preparation resource. It is destined to become a classic in a genre glutted with how-to and how-not-to birth opinion pieces. Peggy embodies a concrete sense of trust in the birth process. As readers we can take that trust on as our own, since we feel that we are experiencing every birth right there with her! This would be very valuable reading for any expectant mother (or father!)
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Summary: I laughed, I cried, I may have even caught a baby!
Review: I picked this book up two days ago and finished it within that time. I couldn't put it down! It passed my test for a five star book...it made me laugh, it made me cry (actual tears!), it made me feel like I was a part of these births, experiencing it firsthand. A must read for moms, nurses, doulas, midwives and anyone interested in childbirth.
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Summary: Every pregnant woman needs to read this book
Review: This has got to be the definitive book on childbirth. Better than any childbirth class, better by far than any advice you'll ever get from a doctor, better than any other book on the subject, it's the best, best, best.
Author Peggy Vincent writes from her heartfelt experience as a Berkeley midwife, and she 'teaches' her readers in a way that doesn't make you feel that you're 'being taught.' Instead, readers learn by osmosis: her message (You Can Do It) seeps into your pores, trickles into your brain, becomes entangles in the strands of your DNA, and by the end, you've gotten an entire course in midwifery, obstetrics, childbirth, and courage.
DO NOT MISS THIS BOOK. And buy copies for every pregnant woman you know. They will thank you forever.
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Summary: Not just a great midwife, a great storyteller
Review: I loved reading this book. Not only did I learn about child birth, I got completely drawn into each of the stories, each of the glimpses into others' lives at such an intimate time. This book is uplifting, even though there are some sad and frustrating tales here - the most frustrating one being about the struggle midwives and caring medical professionals face with regard to malpractice, insurance, and acceptance of natural birthing practices. I have enjoyed this book more than any of the other dozen or so books I have recently read about pregnancy and child birth. I learned a lot, too: the wide range of women's experiences in giving birth, signs of fetal distress, how comfortable and festive a home birth event can be. This book changed all my expectations about child birth.
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