Rating: 
Summary: The most helpful childbirth prep book
Review: After reading dozens of books on preparing for labor and delivery, I found this one to be the most comprehensive and helpful for preparing for my first child. Although this is written for birth attendants instead of expectant mothers, I found unbiased information about all aspects of childbirth- potential problems with many possible solutions, procedures and risks. It gave me the information I needed to choose what kind of birth experience I desired for my child and made me aware of options that I was not aware of. Highly recommended reading for both future mom and her coach/birth attendant.
Rating:
Summary: The most helpful childbirth prep book
Review: After reading dozens of books on preparing for labor and delivery, I found this one to be the most comprehensive and helpful for preparing for my first child. Although this is written for birth attendants instead of expectant mothers, I found unbiased information about all aspects of childbirth- potential problems with many possible solutions, procedures and risks. It gave me the information I needed to choose what kind of birth experience I desired for my child and made me aware of options that I was not aware of. Highly recommended reading for both future mom and her coach/birth attendant.
Rating:
Summary: A need finally met
Review: All the years I was an OB nurse, a childbirth teacher, and a midwife (memoir: BABY CATCHER, Scribner 2002), I bemoaned the fact that there was no comprehensive book available to those men and women who would soon be with a pregnant woman when she gave birth. Doh! I coulduv hadda V-8! Why didn't I write this book myself???
Anyway, thank goodness Penny Simpkin got around to it, and she's done a beautiful job. Her book is structured like a series of childbirth education classes with emphasis on the partner instead of on the laboring mom herself. She deals with the stages of labor, drugs, anesthesia, Cesareans, and emergencies in an easily-comprehended and logical format - discussing helping measures and their rationale at each step in the process.
As someone from within the system, I highly recommend this book.
Rating: 
Summary: Bien, mais...
Review: An easy book to help understand the biological mechanics of the birth process, but doesn't talk about the emotions and the psychological side of the experience, which are SO important!Un livre facile pour aider à comprendre les mécanismes du processus biologique de la naissance, mais n'aborde pas les émotions et le côté psychologique de cette expérience qui sont SI importants. Comprendre le sens de la douleur permet une expérience merveilleuse, mon meilleur choix: Une naissance heureuse d'Isabelle Brabant.
Rating: 
Summary: Information Worth Buying
Review: As a childbrith educator to be, I am pleased to say that I would recommend this book to expectant parents. I find that there are so few books that focus on the birth partner and fewer that help the birth partner know how to help the laboring woman. The book is realistic and helpful for not only the birth partner but the pregant woman as well. The information is precise and easy to read.
Rating:
Summary: Guys, this is the one to read.
Review: As a prospective Dad I was excited about the birth of my daughter, but was not that into reading the books like my wife was. I thought this book was terrific. First, Simkin understands what prospective Dads are thinking. She knows exactly what our fears are ("what if I freak out during labor? What if I disappoint my wife? How will I deal with seeing her in pain? What if there's something wrong with our baby?") and she addresses them head on. The second strength of the book is the way she addresses them. Simkin's approach is this: "You may have very specific ideas about how the birth should go, and that's fine, but births are unpredictable. Thus, circumstances may arise such that you can't go exactly with your first idea (e.g., that you won't use any medication.) At that point you have to think of what the next best option is, and be fine with that next best option." This approach is, for some reason, rather rare in child-birth books, which are often dogmatic and have the subtext "If you do everything as described here, you shouldn't need a plan B." Third, the book is very specific in telling Dads what to expect in language they can understand. Simkin tells you what happens at each stage of labor, what your partner will be experiencing, and what you can do to help her. Finally, the book is not dauntingly long. Guys, this is the book you want to read. And women, if your partner isn't getting into the process, ask him to at least read this book.
Rating:
Summary: The best resource for balanced information
Review: Childbirth books usually come in one of two forms-those that advocate an "institutional birth" and those that advocate a 100% natural birth. This book fits nicely between the two. It gives good, practical information on the pros and cons and nearly every procedure you can think of while neither judging nor condemning the use of such procedures. The best thing about it, however, is explaining to the birth partner how to help and support the birthing woman in the manner that she wishes. A must read for every person who intends to be a support person for a birthing woman.
Rating:
Summary: Down to the point, very informative and easy to read.
Review: Excellent book for both mother & father-to-be. If husband want to be an active participant in child birth, this is a great guide. It's easy to ready and explains right to the point. It gives you all the options regarding birth procedure and newborn care with pros & cons and alternatives so you can make informed choices. After reading this book, I feel much more confident and well prepared for delivery. Highly recommended.
Rating:
Summary: The only labor and delivery guide worth reading
Review: I am so glad that a friend recommended this wonderful book. As a first-time pregnant mom, I've quickly learned that there is quite a childbirth industry out there, with proponents of many theories trying to peddle their own approaches, often sacrificing clarity and completeness in service of their agendas. Worst of all, many books seem to be based upon the premise that all women benefit from the same approach, rather than treating each laboring woman as an individual. This book covers every aspect of labor and delivery regardless of whether one is giving birth in a hospital or at home, with pain relief or without, for the first time or later. It presents complete, unbiased information in an accessible way. Best of all, it educates the birth partner about what the mother will experience, and how to assist her according to her needs as an individual. This is a must-have.
Rating:
Summary: Must-read for Dads-to-be!
Review: I cannot recommend this book enough. Not only does it do an excellent job in covering all the basics about childbirth, but it also helps the birth partner understand what may be happening emotionally with the mother and what the reader him/herself may feel. It does a great job of letting birth partners know what to do when and how to be the most help to the laboring mom. It is especially helpful that certain sections are highlighted along the edges, so they are easy to find quickly, even during labor.
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