Rating: 
Summary: The Best of The Best
Review: I was cautiously optimistic in reading this book as so many I have read (and I have read hundreds of perinatal books) fall short of my expectations. Ina May's Guide not only is superb, it is exactly what I have been looking for for years - a book not about the basics of modern technological birth, but of its essence - a normal, life affirming process. The birth process that has been repeated since the beginning of humanity with rarely a mishap... unless interfered with. Sadly todays birth is mired in interference as proven by the dismal morbidity (and I include cesarean section as morbidity, Ina May has proven in her own statistics the true rarity that major abdominal surgery should be used for birth) and mortality statistics in North America. I have been a birth professional since 1997 and recently gave birth to my fourth child a VBA3C (vaginal birth after three cesareans) and it was because of women like Ina May that I support women and have regained my own trust in my body which had been taken from me by modern obstetrics in their bid for efficiency.
Rating:
Summary: One of my favorites!
Review: I was so excited that Ina May came out with a newer book than Spiritual Midwifery. The first half of the book are made up of birth stories. The second half offers so much information about the mind-body connection and the tests and procedures that you will likely be advised to have during pregnancy. Even though she is a homebirth midwife, I found the information in the book to be so helpful for anyone having a hospital birth.
This book should be read by every expectant mother. It will really empower you to make better decisions.
Rating:
Summary: Deserves all five stars and more!
Review: I went back and checked and I believe this is the first book I've ever seen on Amazon where all reviewers gave it five stars. This book deserves that and even more! The stories of the women's childbirth were truly inspiring. Not only inspiring, but full of great tips for coping with labor and delivering without drugs or episiotomies (my biggest fear).I know as my pregnancy progresses, I will be refering to this book over and over again. I am actually looking forward to labor and to experience this truly wondrous event in my life. I am lucky enough to be moving to Sweden where midwife delivery is the norm and an OB is only there when absolutely necessary. They also lean towards more natural birthing rather than the medical intervention that is so common in the US. Which is such a big relief for me! After reading this book, I realize how lucky I am. But I also know that if I did stay in the US to have my child, I am armed with the knowledge I need to give birth to my baby as I desire. If you are now expecting or planning on conceiving a child, please get this book!
Rating:
Summary: Must have birthing manual for future moms!
Review: I''ve heard mu share of horror and "birthing is a torture" stories from my family and friends. I did not want it to be such. Also I wanted to have an unmedicated birth (Bradley method). Our instructor suggested reading Ina May's books. I'm so glad I did! I read both, Spiritual Midwifery and Ina May's Guide to Childbirth. I loved them! They encauraged me, gave me trust in my body power and I let my fears go. The books were my birthing manual. I mooed (just like Ina May suggested) during the contractions and it made the more bearable and helped me focus on relaxing my body. Though my labor was really long It was and amazing and wonderful experience. Ina May is absolutely right: birth is spiritual and captivating experience. I cannot wait to experience it again.
(New) mom to Gabriel turned a birth junkie
Giedre
Rating:
Summary: Changed How I Viewed Giving Birth
Review: I'm 17 weeks pregnant, and while I'm overjoyed to be pregnant...I've always been afraid of the pain I'll experience during childbirth. Reading Ina May's book, and the birth stories of the women in it, has changed all of that. I feel that I can handle labor now...and am even toying with the idea of not using drugs. (Prior to this, I used to say that I'd like an epidural plus any other drug they'd give me.) Even if I end up using some pain meds, I know I'll be entering the labor process without the level of fear I had before. That is priceless. This is a must-read for any pregnant woman and her husband...whether or not she wants to have a medicated or non-medicated birth. Bravo Ina May! Just wish I lived closer to TN so that I could use her services.
Rating:
Summary: I'm so glad I read this book
Review: I'm 5 months pregnant and have been growing more and more fearful about giving birth, influenced by the media and by doctors. But this book helped me see that if I go into labor primed for a terrifying and excrutiating experience, that is exactly what I'll get. It's not that Ina May claims that labor doesn't hurt, but she points out the role that fear can play in our perceptions and expectations of pain. I've found that to be true even during a dreaded trip to the dentist! Now I feel that my body was indeed designed to give birth--women do it every day, all over the world and in many different care settings. Even if you don't plan to use a midwife or have a home birth, and I still may go to a hospital birthing center myself, I highly recommend this book for the way it can help change your perception that labor is a disease to be operated on or medicated away.
Rating:
Summary: All I can do is echo the other reviews!!!
Review: I'm currently 29 weeks pregnant with my first child, and I've read a lot of the "bestselling" pregnancy and labor books on the market (i.e. "What to Expect", the Dr. Sears books, etc) but this one blew the rest out of the water when it comes to labor and delivery! Ina May's book explains the importance of psychological readiness for labor and delivery, as well as awesome techniques to overcome the "obstacles" of labor naturally. The first half of the book consists of very inspirational natural birth stories which made me feel prepared and even EXCITED about natural childbirth before I even read the second half of the book. After reading this book, I decided to switch from using my OBGYN to a midwife instead. My OBGYN is supportive of my decision to try a "natural" childbirth, but her definition of the concept doesn't go beyond "patient doesn't want an epidural". She is totally untrained and unprepared to help me naturally deal with stalled labor, avoiding an episiotomy, delivering a "stuck" baby, etc. I know she would give me drugs or wheel me in for a C-section long before a midwife despite her "supportiveness". You CAN try the ideas in Ina May's book on your own during labor, without the doctor knowing a thing about natural childbirth, as long as the OB isn't going to argue with what you want to try in the middle of delivery! For example, if baby's shoulders are stuck, most OB's will want to do an immediate C-section; Ina May's book tells you that if you simply turn over on your hands and knees, the baby will most likely slide right out!
Rating:
Summary: All I can do is echo the other reviews!!!
Review: I'm currently 29 weeks pregnant with my first child, and I've read a lot of the "bestselling" pregnancy and labor books on the market (i.e. "What to Expect", the Dr. Sears books, etc) but this one blew the rest out of the water when it comes to labor and delivery! Ina May's book explains the importance of psychological readiness for labor and delivery, as well as awesome techniques to overcome the "obstacles" of labor naturally. The first half of the book consists of very inspirational natural birth stories which made me feel prepared and even EXCITED about natural childbirth before I even read the second half of the book. After reading this book, I decided to switch from using my OBGYN to a midwife instead. My OBGYN is supportive of my decision to try a "natural" childbirth, but her definition of the concept doesn't go beyond "patient doesn't want an epidural". She is totally untrained and unprepared to help me naturally deal with stalled labor, avoiding an episiotomy, delivering a "stuck" baby, etc. I know she would give me drugs or wheel me in for a C-section long before a midwife despite her "supportiveness". You CAN try the ideas in Ina May's book on your own during labor, without the doctor knowing a thing about natural childbirth, as long as the OB isn't going to argue with what you want to try in the middle of delivery! For example, if baby's shoulders are stuck, most OB's will want to do an immediate C-section; Ina May's book tells you that if you simply turn over on your hands and knees, the baby will most likely slide right out!
Rating: 
Summary: Save your money for something useful to the baby.
Review: I'm in my 34th week of pregnancy and wanted to read up on what to expect when I give birth. This book was reccomended to me, but I couldn't stand this book. Ina May pounding the messages of "hospitals are evil", "Doctors are idiots" and "Men who aren't your husband are all clueless" was too much. Since the book had been reccomended to me, I was trying to make my way through it (After skipping half of the "empowering" birthing stories in the first half of the book) but when I got to the message of "ALL prenatal screening and tests are unecessary and postentially harmful" I had enough. I'm returning this book to get something, anything better.
Rating:
Summary: My favorite pregnancy book
Review: If you are considering natural childbirth or simply want to read something with the philosophy that pregnancy and childbirth are normal, natural processes, then read this book. The first part of the book contains lots of women's birth stories, which are interesting and enlightening. I really loved the second part of the book, where Ina May describes in detail her philosophy about childbirth and gives a detailed, well-researched and thoughtful perspective on the whole process and the role of various medical and non-medical aspects of our birthing culture. It's so inspiring, when I finally convinced my husband to start reading it he couldn't put it down. It's not too preachy, and it tells you things you won't read in any other pregnancy book.
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