Rating: 
Summary: Great Book for Parents-to-Be
Review: My partner and I are thinking about having children in the next few years and starting to educate ourselves on pregnancy, birth, and child-rearing. I have always wanted to have a natural birth, but of course, have feared complications. This book was so helpful because it endorsed natural child birth, but informed us about other options and the risks of those options. The authors provided birth stories from lots of moms (and a dad too, which was nice) about their birth experiences. Some ended up having births with epidurals, other drugs or even a cesarian. Instead of saying "bad bad bad," the Sears (the authors) talked about how these births were still successful because the mom and dad were able to make educated decisions and realize what they needed to do in order to make the birth what they needed it to be. I really recommend this book to future moms and dads in order to get a feeling for the various options and to be reassured that birth is not the screaming and yelling you see in the movies. It is a natural thing and should not be miserable. It made me feel more comfortable about my future birth experience. They provide many ways to make birth more comfortable and fulfilling. Just a note though, I don't think that this is *everything* that you need to know, as the title suggests. Other books would probably be helpful, too!
Rating: 
Summary: Very thorough, very balanced
Review: This book is packed with information about how to have a safe and satisfying birth. Anyone who is expecting a baby can benefit from reading it. I definitely will follow Sears' advice on how to go about selecting health practitioners, exercising, eating, overcoming fear, etc. Such useful information all in one easy-to-read book! Recommended.
Rating:
Summary: Yes, birth hurts, but being informed helps.
Review: This very easy-to-read book provides well-researched information to pregnant women and their birth partners. After reading this book, I was informed about all my options, though the authors lean more toward less-medicated or unmedicated births. This book, unlike some, is not condescending and gives the reader the historical influences and the research behind the information presented. I used the techniques in this book during my (completely unmedicated) labor. Yes, labor is, well, labor, but it is also the most empowering, amazing, beautiful experience you might ever have in your life. I cannot recommend this book highly enough.
Rating: 
Summary: A very dissapointed reader!
Review: If you are an open minded parent to be, this book is not for you. Mr. Sears expresses time and time again how his wife had all natural births and how much better that is for the baby. I personally think his wife is just one of the lucky few who go through labor pain free. There are many safe alternatives that will allow you to experience a pain free labor and really enjoy it with your partner. I would not even recommend this book
Rating:
Summary: Great Book (and I'm certainly no Luddite! LOL!)
Review: I'm a mother of two, a critical RN and certainly not a Luddite. If I had to choose one book to have prior to the birth of my first child, this one would be it. (I'm here to buy one for a family member as a gift, I already own this book!)I could write my own book with my thoughts and feelings about childbirth, childbirth prepartion, and postpartum recovery. I'll just say this,however... Childbirth hurts. Take all of the classes, read the books, get drugs, it still hurts. Go to a hospital and expect them to hold your hand during labour and you'll be disappointed, they're too busy to do that. Have someone there with you to support you through the whole thing. Preferably at least one person that has done this before. Could be a doula, could be your best friend or mother... Interventions DO lead to more interventions. Less is better for the birth, the mother,the baby and your recovery (I've done both types). If you can swing less, do that. Reading books like these, taking classes to practice positioning techniques and exercising your body actually does HELP. Having some ideas on things to try when the going gets rough HELPS. Not everything will work for everyone,but many things will work or at least help you cope. Everyone should be prepared for natural childbirth, regardless of whether or not they are planning to have drugs, even major ones. You can't get an epidural until you are at least four cm or it can stop your labour. I wasn't four cm with my first child until I was 24 hours into labour. And both times I tried an epidural, and it didn't take the first time at all, only took partially the second time. The only type of medication that will give you total relief from childbirth discomfort is general anesthesia. Having a list of things that I could do to cope made all of the difference in the world to me. The first birth I was much more passive. The second birth I was much more proactive and had a much better time of it. My recovery was night and day too. I respect Sears and his wife as both parents and healthcare professionals. Their series of books are not perfect, but I would say, after reading reams of drivel or hyperbole on the subject at hand, they actually do the overall best job for a basic book. Most folks read one, max two books pre-birth, so if you have to choose only one, this would be it. And their book "The Baby Book" is also the best one out there regarding babies. Btw, regarding the comment about the AFP test. It is famous for false positives, which can cause unneeded stress to parents. I don't have an opinion about having the test, either way beyond that. As to Down's Syndrome, some parents want to know in order to terminate the pregnancy. Looks like termination is not on their list of things to consider, so why should they have the test? (I had an amnio, much more accurate.) The way the review was written, it sounded like they had done something irresponsible. Some parents want to know, others don't. Knowing or not knowing neither causes Down's Syndrome (a chromosomal abnormality apparent at conception), nor will change the outcome of the pregnancy. I wouldn't just read this book. I'm the type of person that reads everything that I can get my hands on, both on a professional level and from the mainstream press. But this is certainly a book for my short list. Read it.
Rating:
Summary: A must have
Review: This book really bridges the gap between medicine and the natural birthing process. It is soooo refreshing to finally get a perspective that is Pro Baby, Pro Mommy, Not Pro Doctor! It inspired me to get the entire series from the Sears'. They are wonderful.
Rating:
Summary: The best book on birth
Review: This book was fantastic. It had all of the information that I was looking for about the birth of my baby. It answered my questions in a very thoughtful way and laid out all of the alternatives for birth. I chose a hospital birth and this book gave me lots of things to talk about with my doctor to ensure that I got the birth that I wanted. The information in this book made me much better informed about the choices that were available to me and let me make the best decisions for myself and my baby. The Searses are very open about their own birth experiences and make mothers to be feel comfortable with what can be the biggest decisions in their lives. I loved this book!
Rating:
Summary: The Birth Book: Everything You Need to Know To Have a Safe a
Review: I am a mother of twins who were born vaginally without the use of any pain medication and I am confident that this book helped make that possible. The information it provided, along with the subtle reassurances are absolutely wonderful. It walks you through every step of the birthing process! I felt so prepared and relaxed that I now feel compelled to buy this book for every expecting mother I know. You really MUST buy this book, you will not regret it!!!
Rating:
Summary: The Title Says it All
Review: I LOVE this book, both for its comforting language and for its detailed information. The Sears cover many different types of births scenarios that women may encounter, which helps women to feel better prepared for any enventuality. The only flaw I find with this book is the sometimes obvious bias that the Sears towards the birth methods they like best, but they do try hard to be fair and to represent many different options equally. I believe they do a good job at doing so. I highly recommend this book to expectant mothers, and have given it to several.
Rating:
Summary: Best book I've found for giving birth!!!
Review: My husband and I are expecting our first child and I have been pouring through so much information in books and on the internet. We are both Engineers, so therefore I must know in detail all my options as well as the benefits and drawbacks when I give birth in September. I trust my doctor, but this book has convinced me that I will feel a lot better with a midwife at my side during the delivery to ensure that procedures that may not be necessary - like an episiotomy - can be avoided if possible. The authors of this book - both in the medical profession - give very sound advice not only from a physician and nurse's standpoint, but from a mother's standpoint as well. It is well worth purchasing if you would like to know ALL your options before you're wheeled into the delivery room!!
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