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Summary: An essential part of natural childbirth preparation
Review: As a mother who has given birth naturally three times, I couldn't have done it without preparing myself mentally. Mind over labor will guide you to your inner strength that is so powerful and empowering that it will not only soothe you better than any drug, but will untap the powers available to you that you can use during other physical and mental times of stress. As a certified nurse midwife, I always recommend this book to anyone who is expecting whether they plan on using drugs or not. Easy to read, and can be used as a guide by rereading certain chapters and phrases while in labor.
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Summary: Please Run Out and Buy This Book!
Review: Buy this book for yourself if you are expecting and anyone else you know who is expecting. I bought this book after a very traumatic experience with the delivery of my first child. I read it over and over and practiced the exercises diligently every day for two months. My daughter was born after only a two-hour labor, with no medication whatsoever; and my recovery was so incredibly easy. The book truly speaks to the mind-body connection, and one's ability to overcome fear in a challenging situation such as childbirth. It empowers women to participate in the birth experience and to help determine its course and outcome, rather than to just go along with all of the recommendations and protocols of the medical system. It enabled me to have a life changing experience and my daughter to have the best possible start in life. M. Rocha
Rating:
Summary: Please Run Out and Buy This Book!
Review: Buy this book for yourself if you are expecting and anyone else you know who is expecting. I bought this book after a very traumatic experience with the delivery of my first child. I read it over and over and practiced the exercises diligently every day for two months. My daughter was born after only a two-hour labor, with no medication whatsoever; and my recovery was so incredibly easy. The book truly speaks to the mind-body connection, and one's ability to overcome fear in a challenging situation such as childbirth. It empowers women to participate in the birth experience and to help determine its course and outcome, rather than to just go along with all of the recommendations and protocols of the medical system. It enabled me to have a life changing experience and my daughter to have the best possible start in life. M. Rocha
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Summary: THIS BOOK WAS WRITTEN BY A MAN!
Review: Come on gals! Stop and think for a moment! the book was written by a man! What does a man know about Labor and Delivery? I read it and it wouldnt have done anything to help me with my labor, believe me! I love how men think its all so easy and can be painless and enjoyable and all this! Puhlease!!! Let a man have a baby and then come talk to me! Mama Harper
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Summary: Pass on this one
Review: I did not find this book at all helpful for preparing for natural childbirth. I read it before the birth of my first child. The only thing that had any application for me during actual labor was the information on how fear can slow and even stop labor. The imagery ideas and "labor can be enjoyable and even orgasmic" philosophy were impractical. The author implies that labor can and should be perfectly enjoyable for every woman. The La Maze class I took before the birth of my second child was much more helpful.
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Summary: Very helpful for childbirth
Review: I found the relaxation and meditation exercises in this book to be wonderful preparation for childbirth. I read the book and practiced the techniques before having my first child (which I was able to do without drugs) and I plan to buy a copy so that I can read it again before the birth of my second child in several weeks. I will definitely use the techniques again this time whether I have drugs or not. Although not all of the exercises and imagery examples worked for me, some of them did and the book helped me develop some of my own which were quite effective. The book also gave me the confidence that I needed to attempt a drug-free delivery by giving me a way to deal with the pain rather than simply worrying about it.
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Summary: Good relaxation tips but narrow-minded
Review: I found this book to be helpful in some ways, but the obvious bias against hospitals/doctors was a little annoying. I would say if you're looking for some relaxation techniques, you'll probably enjoy this book, but my advice would be to look for something with a little more open-mindedness.
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Summary: by far my favorite childbirth book-- pre delivery
Review: I love this book. It totally reminded me how to clam and relax myself, and not be a freaked out anxiety ball. I will let you know if it's still my favorite after the baby is born! :)
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Summary: Helped me!!
Review: I ordered several books on labour before my son was born and this one was the most helpful to me. A very easy read especially when your mind is already on a million other things before the big day arrives.
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Summary: I REQUIRE this for ALL my students!!
Review: I teach natural childbirth classes and I acutally buy this book for all of my students! I don't think you can just read this once or twice and breeze through labor, but if you practice (at least once a day for 3 months before), it WILL have a positive effect on yoru labor/birth. So many women say, "Yeah, I read it and it didn't work for me." You have to wonder how much time they acutally put into it. I also love his views on the place of birth. I think one reason why so many women say this doesn't work is because they are giving birth in places that do not truly support natural birth. If you are the least bit uncomfortable with you birthing environment--your labor will probably be affected in a negative way! I always tell my students, if you could not have an orgasm at your place of birth, then it is probably not the right atmosphere!! You need to be able to let go and surrender to birth--not try to "fit" into some pre-determined model of labor/birth (like at most hospitals). GREAT book and I highly recommend it!
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