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Summary: *The* starting booking for aspiring midwives!
Review: About a decade ago, I found an original copy of Spiritual Midwifery on the display table of a bookstore in Montreal. Little did I know when I bought that book for it's funky cover that it would change my entire life and career! This book is the book for anyone aspiring to become a midwife, or is simply interested in midwifery. Written by a self-taught midwife (who learned her skills out of need), Ina May Gaskin brings together both the beauty of childbirth with the basic skills a midwife needs. While the pictures and writing style transport the readrer back a few decades, the actual content of the book remains pretty modern... after all, babies still get born the same way. As a starting block for anyone interested in midwifery, this book is fantastic. This is the book that will open your eyes to a whole new way of giving birth.
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Summary: As a mom of 6 children born naturally and a bradley teacher
Review: As a mom of 6 children and a bradley teacher this book is a jewel to share with those who can really see the sacredness of pregnancy and birth.
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Summary: What a wonderfully holistic perspective!
Review: Being a first time mother in the late '90's, I found most related books on the topic of childbirth to be crammed full of techno-garble and a "me, me!" attitude. Thank you Ina, for allowing me to see the unselfish, miraculous, truly beautiful experience for what it is. The fact that it is still popular 20+ years after it's first copywright is a testament to it's gift.
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Summary: A Sweet,Powerful Birthing Book!
Review: Everyone aspiring midwife should read this book FIRST, while in their studies!! It really humanizes and humbles the birth process and makes one realize how smooth and natural birth is and has been for centuries..
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Summary: Extremely useful knowledge!!
Review: For the mainstream, this book may seem a little "out there," but the information contained in this book is invaluable!! I have not seen any other author of pregnancy and childbirth books provide so much detailed information and portray birth as the beautiful experience that it can be!! I personally liked the fact that there were pictures of the birth process and diagrams and descriptions of different conditions, birth presentations, dilations, etc. She also discusses the knowledge that she gained in her decades of experience as proof that there are a number of medical procedures out there that actually are not necessary in many if not most circumstances (i.e., episiotomies and c-sections). In addition, she discusses what she believes helps in a delivery and what could make it more difficult.
I bought many, many books when I was pregnant but sold all but two after I had my son: "Spiritual Midwifery" and "Natural Childbirth the Bradley Way." Both are excellent tools to prepare yourself for childbirth!!
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Summary: The midwife's Bible. I'd give it 6 stars if I could.
Review: Great for midwifes, mommies-to-be, and general birth junkies. Excellent information provided with humor and wisdom, and LOTS of great birth stories. Some reviewers have complained that the language is too hippie, etc., but I love the vintage "feel" of the book and wouldn't change a thing.
This is a *must-have* for any aspiring midwife or doula, IMHO.
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Summary: A Must Read for indipendant pregnant women
Review: I attribute the success of my second and third pregnancies to this book. I first read this book while pregnant with my second son, and was so empowered I decided to have a home birth. Ina May Gaskin and the other women who share thier stories in this book poitray childbirth as a natural event, that our bodies are trained for.
After learning midwifery in the 1970's by hands on experience, with a little guidance from local doctors, they have established a teaching center for midwives arround the country to study at. The approch Ina May uses, is to allow the natural course of events proceede.
I reccomend this book to every expecting woman I meet. I have loaned my copy out to five different women, who all said that the information was far more helpful than complicated medical journals, or the "laymens" pregnancy books which contain little usefull information. If you want to BE in control of your body, baby and birth, instead of swept up in doctors' busy scheduals-
Read this book, and find a midwife!
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Summary: A book for EVERYWOMAN!
Review: I bought this book in 1975 and have read it many times since. To the Florida reviewer: Being "stoned" during labor is not about drugs, it's about being divinely, serenely aware of the life force! This book is so much more than a book about having babies. It's about living life moment by moment; it's about loving your children; it's about being here now. I wish every man and woman in America would have to read this book before they had a child. It's life changing!
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Summary: Good book, but not the best
Review: I did enjoy reading this book, with some minor things I hope become updated in future publishings. It was written in the 70's, so while births were often described in a very personal, loving and spiritual manner, terminology such as "psychedelic," "trippy," "far out," and getting naturally "high" were often used and someone looking for straightforward talk may find it a little weird. The only other thing I might update is the common use of layman's terms when describing anatomy - I prefer reading the formal medical terms and find some lay terms a bit on the vulgar side. Overall I found the book to be a good read. It was packed with every possible kind of birth, including a couple of stories about unfortunate deaths (while it's not a nice subject, there is always a possibility, and the people who experienced it share their feelings about it and about their outlook towards getting pregnant again). Each story is unique, as told by the birth parent or the midwife(s) who attended, and it allows people a chance to see how different it can be for everyone, but also how wonderful it can be at the same time. I recommend this book more for the individual stories than for the sections about how midwives can help deliver babies. I would recommend more a book called "Birthing From Within" by Pam England which discusses natural childbirth, how to find a doctor or birth attendant who's philosophies more closely match yours, how to decide what kind of birth is right for you, and how to avoid being talked into something you don't want.
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Summary: Good - but prepare yourself for the time warp
Review: I enjoyed reading the birth stories contained within this book. The language was pretty dated, and was an interesting look into this community's social fabric. Their findings came through learning by doing. And with each birth you could see their confidence grow and they became more expert at the process. Its not for everyone, more suited for those who have already chosen natural childbirth as a course - and won't be turned off by frank discussion (detailed) discussion of the birthing process. They have interesting spiritual observations about giving your man his 'power'... and being peaceful and holy while birthing - avoiding becoming - complainy - but grateful for being in the state... worth a read as part of a larger investigation.
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