Rating: 
Summary: Worst book ever!!
Review: I bought this book because I was nervous about my upcoming labor. Little did I know how wrong this book is. I'm all for altenative medicine, but my god. If you thing that hospitals and doctors are all evil, and that all doctors want is to make you do things and do surgery on you, then this is the book for you. I could not finish this book. In not so many word I was lead to believe by this book that because I might want to have my baby in the hospital, with a doctor, and maybe with drugs, I'd been brain washed. Because ever good mother would want to have a home birth, with a midwife, and to love every ounce of pain that you might feel. I was looking for a book that would explain all different birthing ideas to me in a way that I wouldn't feel like a terrible human being if I made certain choices. If you want a home birth and to only hear about the joys of home birth and the evils of hospitals/doctor then this is the book for you. If you would like a more non biased opinion I suggest "Pregnancy and Birth Your Questions Answered".
Rating: 
Summary: Creating informed mothers for safer births
Review: This book allows you to become informed so you can make the best decisions for you and your baby, not the hospital's convenience and schedule. It empowered me to dramatically reduce my risk of C-section and other complications, most of which are caused by procedures hanging over from the "knock 'em out and take the baby by force(ps)" method of the 50s. No, our great-grandmothers did not suffer extreme pain in birth because they were taught by their mothers and sisters how to have babies the relaxed, safe way. Having birthed what most consider the "normal" way and also the real normal way, I had far less pain the second time, because I wasn't tethered to an IV, strapped to a monitor, working against gravity on my back (imagine defecating in a reclined position! no way it works!), bracing for every contraction. The Sears empowered me to do this, all the while helping me prepare for true emergencies and the true benefits of well-practiced medicinal intervention.
Rating: 
Summary: Some good info, but a bit wacky
Review: The Sears' book will give you good, detailed information on what happens during birth and will help you make some informed choices about the kind of birth you want--assuming you have a normal, uncomplicated pregnancy. I didn't find them to be terribly judgmental, but they have a negative view of practically every 'intervention' from ultrasound to fetal monitoring during the birth and they hold up home births as the ideal. I found this to be a bit dishonest... Sure, most women and babies don't need those interventions but they can and do save lives. To me what sums up their attitude is their statement that women today are AS concerned with the "experience" of birth as with the outcome--a healthy baby. Of course everyone wants a good experience but by far what's more important is the outcome--anybody who says otherwise hasn't lost a baby.
Rating:
Summary: Extremely helpful, informative, readable
Review: I found "The Birth Book" to be extremely informative. It helped me understand the stages of giving birth, helped me choose a childbirth class (Elizabeth Seton Birthing Center but delivered at NYU), and ultimately helped me make decisions in the delivery room. I'm recommending this book to all my pregnant friends. I loved it so much, I also bought "The Baby Book" and highly recommend that one, too.
Rating:
Summary: encourages parents to participate, make INFORMED decisions
Review: Although the authors are a pediatrician/nurse couple, they chose to deliver three of their seven biological children (they have an eighth child, adopted at birth) at their home, and they show a noticeable preference for natural birth and for limiting medical intervention during the birth process unless it is necessary. They highlight the potential risks of what many people believe to be routine activities during pregnancy and labor, such as ultrasounds, Doptone monitoring, and such. Chorionic villae testing and amniocentesis are discouraged, and those fun 3-D ultrasounds available now are an absolute no-no in the authors' minds. Although they believe that medical intervention is grossly overused in this country (in large part due to fear of litigation by obstetricians), the authors readily acknowledge that it can be useful and even necessary in limited situations, and they encourage mothers to plan ahead in case things don't go as planned. Although I felt like the book is a bit more alarmist than the typical birth book (and I found myself summarily dismissing parts of it -- as I have found ultrasounds & the Doptone monitoring of baby's heartbeat at my regular OB appointments to be extremely helpful), on the whole, it seems like one of the more balanced and informative books available. It's not all about "trust the doctor completely", nor does it fault women who chose intervention. For example, although the authors do caution about the risks of epidurals, in several parts of the book, the authors specifically relate how epidural anesthesia can be very helpful in causing labor to progress. The book is also chock-full of information & detail, as well as being very easy to read. It provides much information to allow parents to become more active participants in decision-making regarding the birth of their child.
Rating: 
Summary: You won't get a badge for courage...
Review: I loved the Pregnancy Book by these authors so I thought The Birth Book was exactly what I needed to help me understand the process of labor and delivery as a first time mother. However, while most of the information was helpful, I felt like the authors considered you "less of a woman" if you choose to use medical intervention (i.e. drugs for pain relief) during labor. Yeah, this book is great for the I don't shave my armpits and eat granola everyday crowd, but let's be honest why should I have to suffer the way my great-grandmother sufferred to have a child. I sufferred enough through five years of In Vitro procedures to get pregnant. I understand pain. But this book in my opinion attempts to guilt women into feeling like they should experience the pain to appreciate birth. Silly, really, isn't it?
Rating:
Summary: My Favorite
Review: I've read a lot of books about birth. Most of them either seem to advocate trusting & doing whatever the doctor says he/she wants to do, or they paint a picture of medical involvement in childbirth as something almost sinister...sometimes even inciting a certain amount of fear. This book is my favorite of all the birth books I've read. Dr. Sears presents facts about all the various possible medical interventions into birth in a much more neutral way. He highlights the benefits of natural birth while recognizing that medical intervention does serve an existing need for many women & many circumstances. After reading this book, I felt much more confident in planning for a natural birth, while not being terrified about what my healthcare giver might recommend should potentially threatening issues arrise during the birth of my twins. I appreciated that so much. If there's one thing an expectant mother can do without, it is fear.
Rating:
Summary: Should not be your only guide!
Review: This was the first birthing book I read and frankly it scared me silly about all medical intervention. The book contains lots of useful and interesting information but is very one sided. I think it is important to read other books also that are more open to the potential advantages of medical intervention in birth, otherwise if the doctor or midwife recommends a particular course of action, it will induce fear of potential consequences. I found the authors quite santimonious from time to time and the guilt element comes through loud and clear. In summary, some good information but all from one side of the fence so make sure you read other books too.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Pregnancy Book (even if you're not a Sears fan)
Review: While I don't agree with many of the Sears' approaches to child raising (family bed, etc.) I LOVE this book. I have to STRONGLY disagree with other reviews that this book guilts you into a natural childbirth. The book is filled with examples of women who chose epidurals and other intervention and had satisfying births. The overwhelming theme in this book is that it is the expectant parents' responsibility to educate themselves about their choices in childbirth, discuss their wishes with their caregiver, and write a birth plan to help convey these wishes to hospital staff (if they chose hospital birth). The Sears believe that if the parents are the ones making the informed decisions, rather than having decisions made for them, they will have a joyful, beautiful start to their family. The Sears clearly lay out the benefits of natural childbirth, and do discuss in detail the risks of the various tests and interventions, as well as when they are justified. My favorite part is in the back, where mothers and fathers have submitted their birth stories. It is wonderful to read first-hand accounts of the emotions and sensations of birth. As I said, all kinds of births are included: planned C-sections, home births, epidurals, birth centers, high risk, etc. What is emphasized is that when the parents are informed and able to make their own choices, they are at peace with the outcome. It is when the parents feel that their wishes were not respected or that risks and options were not explained to them that they feel angry and bitter at their caregivers. This is a great read for parents who know they want natural childbirth and for parents who want to consider it. You will never regret knowing your options. The birth and the child are your responsibility. It can be a time of joy and empowerment or a time of fear and helplessness. Having those choices, wouldn't you choose the former?
Rating:
Summary: I thought it was great!
Review: I really liked this book a lot. It gave such great detail, and I loved how it gave two sides to everything. You can tell that the authors are a little biased with certain things, but they explain things in such a way that they are not trying to convince you to go a particular way. I do feel that in reading this book you should have an open mind and take in all of the alternatives. If you already are set in your ideas or opinions, this book is not for you. I feel that the main thing the authors are trying to do is give you all of your options so that you can make the right decision for you. Thanks to this book, I know a lot more of what to expect in labor, and I have a clear birth plan.
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