Rating: 
Summary: Better than the girlfriends by a landslide
Review: I have known Ina May for a long time, and I have been waiting for this book for years. Now that I have my copy in hand, I am not disappointed. First off, she starts the book with 100 plus pages of birth stories. Wonderful birth stories, scary birth stories, maddening birth stories, and even second generation birth stories. I loved reading the story of the birth of Mariahna, and then several pages later the story of how Mariahna herself gave birth. There is a special bonus in the birth story of two obstetricians (a married couple) giving birth. The book would be worth the investment if only for the birth stories.
Part two of the book includes well written and researched information on pregnancy, birth, midwifery, and obstetrics. It includes a historical perspective that is fascinating and imformative. Statistics and research are covered in a way that is neither dry nor boring.
I highly recommend that anyone pregnant, contemplating pregnancy, or involved with pregnant women should read this book. While one may disagree with some of the conclusions and recommendations, the data is compelling and the recommendations both evidence based and cost effective.
When the wealthiest country in the world has criminally high infant and maternal mortality and morbidity rates, it is time for some change. Read the last chapter (first if you like) for a vision of how that change might be brought about.
Rating:
Summary: a true gem!
Review: I have searched endlessly for a good pregnancy/childbirth book and have read a few good ones now (Henci Goer's Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth is excellent also), but this book has by far become my favorite! The greatest gift you will receive by reading this book, is a positive feeling about how wonderful childbirth can be. So often pregnancy books are full of warnings, and coupled with the media's portrayal of childbirth as something horrible, I went into pregnancy fearing childbirth. After reading Ina's book I have discovered exactly how childbirth works (she gives very detailed descriptions of how our bodies work to get the baby out), and the mystery is gone. There is nothing now to fear and I am looking forward to the day when I can experience the miracle of my body performing the work it was designed to do. This book goes way beyond any other book I've read and I highly recommend it to anyone with fear of childbirth.
Rating:
Summary: Ina May's Guide to Childbirth By: Ina May Gaskin
Review: I have worked as a Labor & Delivery Nurse for the past 10 plus years. I have taught childbirth education for the past 5 years to couples who want research based factual information on the birth process. I have witnessed the truly miraculous journey many women have embarked upon in giving birth. To my dismay though or should I say disillusionment, many women were introduced to the routine medicalization of birth to help facilitate and expediate the birth process. These routine medical interventions many times were performed for the convenience of the Obstetrician not with the best interests of the laboring woman and baby at heart and left many emotional scars as well as insults to both the mother and to the baby.
Ina May's book explores the options available to women and their families in the childbirth arena. Birth can occur without routine medical interventions! True and factual accounts of births by women are narrated in the first half of this book along with researched, fact based information regarding birth and how it can and should occur. There are options for birth for everyone it can be individualized and completely different for each and everyone.
This is an informative and inspiring book that gets to the heart and soul of what transpires during the birth of a family. I agree as many others have stated that this book is a must read for every childbearing woman out there. I recommend this book to women in my own childbirth education classes. I have been transpired and mainly inspired by the birth stories presented along with Ina May's account of childbirth in the past, present and what lies ahead for the future. I now teach my childbirth classes with more heart, inspiration and fevere since reading this great book.
Rating:
Summary: Great book! Wonderful for moms (& dads)
Review: I just finished Ina May's book, and while I've read a number of books on natural childbirth, this one made me really think about what I want my birth to be like. She starts by sharing a number of birth stories that are empowering and exciting. Part II of the book focuses on labor from Ina May's perspective - interventions and their risks, the process of labor, hints & tips to ease labor. Now that I've finished the book, I've given it to my husband to read Part II so that he understands more of what he can do during my labor to assist me. If you are even considering natural childbirth, this is the book to read. If you are deadset about "your rights" for drugs/epidurals, don't open it. You might find you change your mind....
Rating:
Summary: A must-read to prepare for birth!
Review: I picked this one up after reading 'Spiritual Midwifery'. The format is similar - the first half is birth stories and the last half is advice, information and techniques. This one will appeal much more to today's audience. The birth stories are set in the present (Rather than being from 30 years ago like SM) and in places most american women are familiar with (Birth centers, hospitals, etc) Before giving birth I found it very inspiring to read birth stories of women who gave birth naturally. These women were truly inspiring!
Rating:
Summary: Ina May is instilling confidence in women
Review: I read Ina May's book over one weekend. It is a must read for expecting mother's and those who work/support birth. The birth stories are so inspiring and give a true picture of how challenging and rewarding birth is. I would highly encourage anyone to read this versus watching a tv birth story. This is the real stuff. This book reminds us how strong women are.
Rating: 
Summary: All Black and White?
Review: I read this book together with a lot of other books during my wife's pregnancy. The experience reports might be nice for people who like it (which I don't) but the second advisery part is completely unbalanced. The world is not black and white as this book wants to make you think. None of the described evils that supposedly awaits you if you choose a doctor and a hospital during your pregnancy ever happened to us so far. This might have been relevant 40 years ago but with a little knowledge and curiosity nowadays you can easily get the best of both "worlds" (a differentiation that put me off right away). You definitely should not use this book as your only source of information.
Rating:
Summary: Uplifting and very readable
Review: I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The birth stories describe a range of childbirth experiences that clearly illustrate the impact that a caregiver with a positive outlook and flexible/adaptive approach can have on the birth process. As an author, Ina May Gaskin is humorous and passionate. She delivers the argument in favor of the woman's ability to give birth naturally in a very convincing, but not overly "preachy", manner. As someone considering starting a family soon, I began researching childbirth due to the fact that I personally know no women close to my age that gave birth without pain medication and only a few that did so without caesarian section. Ina May's book, along with others that I have read, have convinced me that natural childbirth is possible and preferable for me. I am sure that I will reread this book.
Rating:
Summary: Avoid the traditional pregnancy purchases, buy this instead
Review: I too eagerly awaited this book. I have taught natural childbirth classes and provided labor support at births for years. I have also been to workshops taught by Ina May Gaskin. She has the wisdom, the experience and the undeniable safety statistics to make her an absolutely reliable guide to all women moving through their first pregnancy into the labor experience. Those who found their previous typical/drugged/high-tech/high fear birth lacking in meaning and empowerment and even safety, (as in my case, since I was unknowingly given one of those experimental induction drugs mentioned in the book in my first twin pregnancy) and are filled with fear at the thought of doing it the same way again, will find peace and answers about a better way to birth. I am awaiting my second birth and this book will be at my bedside table to inspire and motivate me to have the integrated and powerful birth I know my mind and body have always been capable of. I pray the truths of this book can speak to your heart louder than the trauma TV birth shows, risk averse caregivers, relatives full of fear and discouragement, and friends who justify their choices by ridiculing your own. Think of it as a "girlfriends guide" from a girlfriend who actually knows what she is talking about!
Rating:
Summary: You'll soon be buying it for all your pregnant friends!
Review: I waited until after my birth to write this review, and now I can honestly say that this book made a difference. In addition to this book, I also read "What to Expect...", "...Week by Week", "Pregnancy, Childbirth, and the Newborn", "Girlfriend's Guide...", "The Pregnancy Journal", "Birthing From Within", and the pregnancy & childbirth chapters of "Women's Bodies, Women's Wisdom". This book is the ONLY one which really prepared me for all the different ways a birth can go, helped me to know what to expect, keep an open mind, and to listen to my body. I knew before my midwives did that I was in transition; after responding to my cries to my husband of "why aren't they coming to check on me?" they did and reported with a bit of surprise that yes, I was 7 cm and making very quick progress!
If you want a normal, natural birth, this book is your guide. If you think you don't want a natural birth, Ina May may change your mind. I have recommended it to two friends so far who have both thanked me greatly! Oh yeah- and make your husband read it; mine and my friends' husbands loved it too.
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