Rating: 
Summary: what's labor like?
Review: Even if you're not interested in a "natural" (i.e., non-medicated) childbirth, this book provides a very detailed and interesting description of what, exactly, labor is like. For example, it will tell you what you are apt to experience at each labor stage both physically and emotionally. It also guides your partner in using various signs (e.g., your expression, ability to converse) to determine which stage you're probably at and, consequently, whether it's time to start driving to the hospital!
Rating:
Summary: Great book on natural childbirth!
Review: I read this book in conjunction with taking a Bradley course with my husband. We both felt that this book definitely prepared us for the birth of our daughter. The exercises and examples given in the book were very helpful. After reading this book and taking the Bradley course, I felt less anxious and more prepared for childbirth.
Rating: 
Summary: A little too much pressure for me!
Review: This is an informative, eye-opening book about labor and delivery. I am glad that I read this book as I feel it prepared me for what my body would be going through during labor and delivery. However, I felt that the book placed too much emphasis on having a natural, drug free delivery no matter what. This book gives you one point of view - no drugs, no intervention. After reading this book, I felt inspired to go natural, however, that wasn't possible for me. Medical intervention was necessary for my health and the health of my baby. So, when things didn't progress "naturally" as this book told me they would, I felt somewhat like a failure. Keep in mind that this book deals with the best case scenario and every delivery is unique. Read this book to inform yourself, but keep an open mind about your birth and trust your OWN instincts instead of this author's ideas and expectations.
Rating:
Summary: Best Childbirth Book Available!
Review: This book changed my life! I've given birth 7 times, the first 3 were typical, go to the doctor and do what he tells you. The 3rd was a disaster! When I found myself pregnant again, I read every book I could find. There had to be a better way! I found this book 12 weeks before giving birth, 6 weeks later I switched doctors and I ended up having a PAINLESS birth. The next three weren't quite painless, but they were definately workable and joyful. I now teach childbirth classes using this method. I've been giving this book to all my prenante friends and co-workers for 14 years. If you only read one book during your pregnancy, this should be it! (And I read 30 during 2001 alone) Happy Birthing! Happy Parenting!
Rating:
Summary: The BEST book on child birth
Review: I won't write in length because what I have to say is exceedingly simple - BUY THIS BOOK. I've scanned a lot of books in this genre before my wife and I had our first child, and this is by far the best one. Beautiful photos and diagrams, crystal clear explanations of both the process and the details, and excellent and intelligent advice - what more can one wish for? This is not just a book for fanatic home-birthers. It has tons of invaluable advice for people who plan to have an absolutely standard hospital birth (e.g., when to go to the hospital, what do different things mean when you are there, what the process is like, what you want to have done and what you don't etc.). In short, this is an excellent book in my eyes and if I could give a book more than 5 stars I would it here. Perhaps I am making myself out to be foolish, but I really do think the world will be a better place if this book is read by mothers to be. It sure helped my wife and myself. Enjoy it and have a great labor. Itsik Orr.
Rating: 
Summary: If I wanted a sermon I'd go to church...
Review: I found this book one-sided and preachy. They dismiss all other methods of childbirth as inferior, and imply that if you don't follow their method you're inferior too. I hope to have a natural childbirth, but it certainly won't be due to the Bradley Method! A far better choice is The Birth Book by Drs. William and Martha Sears.
Rating:
Summary: Natural Childbirth the Bradley Way
Review: I bought this book based on the reviews of others and they were RIGHT! I couldn't have done it without the knowledge provided in this book. YES! I did it...drug free 36 hours of labor! I did give birth in a hospital that wanted to push thier drugs on me however, with the knowledge and support provided in this book (and of course the support of my husband) WE did it! The nurses said that it was EXTREMELY rare for anyone to do this (I feel it's because the doctors treat pregnancy as a problem rather than the most natural thing a woman could go through). Next time I will give birth at home. Get this Book! You can do it!
Rating:
Summary: thinking of a natural birth? This is the book for you
Review: I have three children, my first birth was a medically-managed nightmare. I learned my lesson and turned to Bradley. This book gives you (and your birth partner) specific tools to help you cope with labor. The main thing I didn't like about it was how it seems to assume that if one is relaxed, labor will never be painful (or that if it is, the woman has a low pain-tolerance). With my second birth, I was easily able to cope with contractions with relaxation and breathing. With the third, I had horrible back labor and it was very painful. Every labor is different and I wish this book acknowledged that a bit more. No matter how your birth goes, this book *will* be helpful.
Rating:
Summary: Very informative
Review: I think I liked the information in this book better than the information I learned in my Bradley classes, although I strongly recommend the classes as well. I recommend reading "Husband Coached Childbirth" in addition to this book, as it gives insight into the history behind the method, and how the method developed. This book gives specific exercises to do with your labor coach, and covers difficulties and how to deal with them, among other things. I really learned a lot from this book. Just a warning--there are actual pictures of childbirth in this book, by mother who are completely unclothed.
Rating:
Summary: This book helped me give birth without medication.
Review: I took the 12-week Bradley Method childbirth class, but I found that this book was even more helpful to me than the class. When I gave birth to my first child I felt very well-prepared. One of the nurses at the hospital even asked me if I was a nurse -- she thought maybe I was because I knew so much about childbirth. No, I do not have a medical background, but I learned a great deal from the books I read during my pregnancy. I was able to give birth to my daughter without medication, and the next day I felt great. I don't know if I could have done it without medication if I had not read this book. I am definitely planning to use the Bradley techniques in future births.
| 
