Rating: 
Summary: An Important Read for all Women
Review: Every woman needs to know their options when it comes to birthing. Too many of us go through the typical emergency room delivery. But, we do have choices. Through personal stories, and research, Naomi Wolf gives a wealth of real life information about the journey to motherhood. Over-all I enjoyed the book, but I can agree with some other reviews that at times the author comes across as whiny, and full of blame. I think that she likes to wallow in anger about her loss of self. But it doesn't take much thought to undersatnd that of course, a new baby will change things dramatically, as does any new intimate relationship. Women should be upset about the fact that alternative birthing techniques are hushed out of the main stream, and should be horrified about the underground politics of hospital maternity wards (birth is not an emergency, and should not automatically be treated like one), but so much anger, and self-pity towards the loss of oneself due to the birth of a child is not inspiring. I don't know if this book belongs on your bookshelf, but taking a visit to your local library to check it out would be a good idea. For an all around alternative health book, without the self-pity, and anger, I would recommend Christiane Northrup's WOMEN'S BODIES, WOMEN'S WISDOM. Her section on motherhood and birthing provides good information about hospital politics, historic reasons, and alternative methods without the whine!!!
Rating: 
Summary: I love it
Review: Naomi - thank you. I couldn't agree more!!!!
Rating:
Summary: nothing groundbreaking, but worth a look
Review: I'm shocked at how little Naomi felt she knew about pregnancy and birth. I had my first of two sons when I was 18 years old. I turned to numerous resources to educate myself about nutrition, common occurances, word definitions, the birth experience, et cetera. What I experienced (a trouble-free, non-medicated, hospital birth) actually surprised me only in that I thought it would be much worse.
Naomi appears to have a lot to say, but in the end she's running in circles with no real conclusions (as if there are any in the U.S.), and no extensive insight. She is talking from her personal experience (thirty-something, married, well-educated, good household income, etc.) I know in her Afterword she attempts to address and/or defend the limited scope of her book. I can talk about my own experience, and have, but I expect more from a writer such as she.
I could not relate to her experience on some levels: For example: Many of us do not have the luxury of staying at home, nor do we have the luxury of taking leave when we have children--or for that matter not putting our children in daycare. I went back to work/college two weeks after I had my son. I exclusively nursed, pumped, took him to daycare with me (worked at a care center) and did not complain, because it was something I had to do and I accepted it. I just feel like, in comparison to many women, she has little to complain about. Sorry lil' girl, but this is not a huge revelation to many of us.--There are many other arguments I disagree with--but there are some points in the book I do agree with. These include the dismissive nature doctors have about postpartum depression. I had a severe case with my second son and I felt too embarrassed, too afraid I would be considered unfit if I told my care-provider. When I did, I got a bottle of Celexa and was sent on my way. This, I might add, helped nothing. I also agree with her description of the hospital experience--I compare mine with my sister's experience. I thought my doctor would be there much of the time, coaching me on, being my advocate. Oh, so not true. In my two birthing experiences, nothing could be further from the truth.--And when Naomi mentions in her book about going to dr. appts. and being told that the doctor would be back in a few minutes, I could totally relate. I had no idea that the doctor would come when summoned by the nurses, just moments before the head crowned, then w/o telling me he would cut me open, sew me up, and be done in time for dinner. In comparison, my sister had midwives with her two girls. Her experience was so much more comfortable, so beautiful, and not sterile.
I also agree with the way in which your relationship with your spouse may suffer. I too, felt bitter at times, I felt as if I took on all responsibility as far as feeding, changing, and waking up late at night. What I discovered is this: Make him do it! Make your spouse do what you want him to do. After a time, I refused to change a diaper--I asked my husband to do it. I refused to cook dinner at times, and he learned to do it, I told him I needed time off--just to write or read and he would do it. We set in motion a plan that actually has worked. The women Naomi describes become complicit in the way the spouses treat them. The become bitter, as I did, but they do not set bounderies. I think this should be a point she may consider for a new Afterword.
All in all, I believe this is an interesting read. I enjoyed the Mother's Manifesto at the end. My conclusion is this: Look at Sweden! : )
Rating:
Summary: highly recommend for every woman considering pregnancy
Review:
This is a book that opened my eyes and nearly described my mother's birth of my brother perfectly - isolate and keep ignorant the expectant mother, create chaos and go for the C section. I am so glad I read this before getting pregnant. I also would not have had the nerve to fire one OB for another - how would I know any reason to quit seeing an OB without this book?
I appreciated the different thoughts about before, during and after giving birth. Now I can have some conversations with my husband well beforehand. Instead of wanting to return to work, I'm guessing I will want to stay home, but the author didn't make me feel bad about it.
And it is true that a mother's emotions can affect her baby - just read Dr. Wirth's Prenatal Parenting. The mother's emotions affect the development of the fetus's brain chemistry.
I was very interested to read about the author's research into midwife techniques and practices and plan to find a practice near me.
I CAN'T REMEMBER THE LAST TIME I READ A NONFICTION BOOK SO QUICKLY!p.s. This was my gateway book - it made me find other books on pregnancy and childbirth, and for that, I am grateful.
Rating:
Summary: (mis)sed point
Review: I found the book entertaining, if only because it is the first book on pregnancy that I have read. I felt that Wolf was trying to paint an honest picture of the medical establishment and how birthing women tend to be pushed by the wayside in their own birthing experience. I enjoyed the humor and the extent to which Wolf discusses the discomfort and alienation she felt throughout her pregnancy, but what I couldn't help but find offensive was that this self-proclaimed feminist did not take into account that not all pregnant women have "husbands." Wolf does, at one point in the book, say "husband or boyfriend", but never uses the word "partner" which would have been so much more inclusive to her reading audience. Surely, the book is largely based on personal experience, but I happened to find the length at which she discussed the near death experience of her feminism, and also the increased significance of having a man and male protection, to be offensive. How could a true feminist be so ignorant of the many diverse family situations in this country today? While the feelings and experiences Wolf describes in her book may be true, an attentive partner, who may be neither husband nor father nor boyfriend, can also lend security, stability and love to the new mother and newborn.
Rating: 
Summary: Nothing I didn't already know
Review: I was kind of surprised by this book, or by Naomi herself I should say. I've read a few of her other books and liked them. I guess I expected a woman who is so used to researching things and to finding "the truth" to have researched pregnancy and childbirth quite a bit before having her own baby. Apparently, she didn't and had a very awful overly medicalized birth. This led her to finally do some research. Most of the information presented is very good and for those who don't know much about birth in America I think it will be an eye opener. The book at times though is a bit too subjective. She seems to think her bad experience is typical of everyone's experience. I had my own son in a freestanding birth center without drugs and only a couple of midwives present. It was an empowering experience, so I agree that was the way to go for me. I have friends though that have chosen the hospital route. Some were not happy with their experiences, but many think they had good births too. I have to admit I was shocked when I got to the end and after everything she was learning she chose, once again, to go with a medical birth. She was pregnant and talking about birth with people like Ina Mae Gaskin and yet, she decided to have her baby in a medical environment? Why? And once again she wound up with a c-section. It may have been medically necessary, but she'll never know for sure. It's like she was saying one thing, but doing another. I have to admit I lost respect for her a little because of this.
Rating:
Summary: Interesting, but overly negative
Review: I read this book while newly pregnant, and used it as a good way to face some of my worst fears about mothering and childbirth. In that way it was helpful, but I'm not sure I would recommend it. While the actual writing is excellent, in general I found the book overly simplistic and sensational. While she had a difficult time, she admits (briefly) that it was not all terrible. In addition, she offers no resources or guidance for women who wish to avoid the negative consequences of her (sometimes poor) choices. In the final chapter she laments the lack of support women have (which I agree with) but does not call these women to task for the part they play in the lack of voice in their marriages.
Rating: 
Summary: contradictory and weak
Review: When I read the introduction to this book, I was excited at the chance to read what I thought was going to be an educated look at the "real" situation for pregnant woman and new mothers in America, based on solid research. Being a new working mom, I was looking forward to relating to the book. What I found, however, was a bunch of weak examples that did not convince me of anything other than the fact that the author has a cynical, yet contradictory, agenda! With great shock and horror, Wolf recounts stories of nervous yuppy women who are uncomfortable "showing their crotch" to their male OB/GYN (to that, I say do some research and find a doctor you ARE comfortable with!) and who are dismayed to find out too late that the delivery room floor is not sterile enough to deliver their baby on as their mid-wife recommended (if you want to deliver your baby on a floor, you better square that away when choosing a hospital and furthermore, shouldn't your mid-wife know what the hospital's policy is for this sort of thing before recommending it??). Wolf goes into great detail about the extreme dangers of epidurals, both physically and mentally, only to turn around and write an entire section condemning the "radical" natural childbirth alternative that expects "unrealistic levels of strength and courage." Hellooo? Wolf condemns her first doctor for being cold and clinical (doesn't maintain eye contact with her while doing pelvic exams), and then condemns her second doctor for patting her on the knee after answering her nervous questions in his office (patronizing, she says). Wolf doesn't know what her message is, other than the fact that she's angry and she wants the world to know it.
Rating: 
Summary: Thought provoking, but ultimately frustrating.
Review: When I first read this book I found it ground breaking. 'Once again, Naomi has opened our eyes to reality' I proclaimed loudly to all who would listen. Her revelations on the nature of motherhood and societys plot to subjugate the pregnant woman and render impotent the new mother made me angry. 'Is this what is in store for me?' I thought.
Then I gave birth to my son and realised that I agreed with pretty much nothing she had written. I can relate to none of it........none of her ranting and raving about feelings and dealing with her new role; nothing applied to me. And I dont want to be angry anymore, I just want to hold my baby.
And I dont feel bad because of that.
Rating:
Summary: great fast fascinating read
Review: I'm a young college English teacher who is not planning on having any children but is fascinated with pregnany and childbirth. I'm so glad I read this book and learned about the huge problems some woman have while pregnant and birthing. Wolf is smart and trustworthy. The balance between scholarship and personal experience is just right. This book was so compelling that I couldn't put it down and read it in one day. I consider myself a very sensitive and emotional person, yet this book was *not* too much for me. I highly suggest it to anyone.
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