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Summary: The most beautiful midwifery book ever -- a classic
Review: This book is a must-read for anyone interested in the truly spiritual experience of childbirth. Ina May's book is a classic among midwives, and she is a well known and important influence in the natural childbirth and midwifery movements. The birthing stories are the keystone of this book, and I never grow tired of reading them over and over. The technical portions of this book are written from a lay-midwifery and low tech point of view, but it is important for readers and reviewers to know that Ina May and the Farm have the experience and birth statistics to back up what she has written.This book, I think, is also important material for non-midwives involved in childbirth: physicians, nurses, doulas, and expectant families. The birthing stories provide a touching and humanitarian voice to the life-altering experience of birth. Not all the stories are warm and fuzzy tales of the perfect birth, and this provides a reminder of how closely linked birth and death truly are as passages through life. For those of us involved in birthing on a regular basis, this book is a reminder of how privelleged we are to be witneses to such a sacred experience time and again.
Rating:
Summary: Essential Book for Anyone Involved in Childbirth
Review: This book is a refreshing, sane alternative to the craziness of modern obstetrics and birthing practices. Ina May speaks with the wisdom that comes through experience... she knows her stuff; she's seen it first hand, and she lives it. She believes in women's instincts, their intelligence, and their right to a healthy pregnancy, birth, and motherhood. She affirms what women have known for centuries, up until recently: we are capable of birthing without drugs, without IV's, without monitors, and yes, without doctors. Our bodies are made for it. This book is a powerful testament to the power of women and birth.
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Summary: Changed my life!
Review: This book opened my eyes to a completely different lifestyle! The stories will inspire you to see the beauty in giving birth. This book inspired me to pursue a career in midwifery. The pictures are breath taking.
Rating: 
Summary: Keep your mind open!
Review: This book was written about the experiences of home births on "The Farm" which is in Tennessee. Evidently they had alot of success in avoiding c-sections and mortality. They view birth as natural and not as a medical illness as some OB's are trained. The author is quite a favorite on the midwife lecture and conference circuit. The pictures will astound you. There are alot of statistics in the back. Is this book credible? I do not know. Many people would probably give this book a higher ranking. I just don't quite know how to take it
Rating:
Summary: A classic!
Review: This is a great book for anyone interested in the modern revolution of midwifery and homebirth. Ina May Gaskin is a true pioneer whose story is absolutely fascinating. A great gift for aspiring midwives, doulas, and expectant moms!
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Summary: Spiritual Midwifery
Review: This is a wonderful book that encouraged my passion for home birth. I've owned and loaned out 2 copies of this book. It was often kept out on the coffee table and I found that anyone that picked it up couldn't put it back down. I highly recommend this book for anyone considering home birth or anyone interested in becoming a midwife or doula.
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Summary: This book has made a difference.
Review: This is true!!! I read this book when I was pregnant with my first child in 1991, and it changed my life. I am now a doula with an BS in nursing on track to be a midwife by 2001. The 3 people, 3 fellow nursing students, who I have given copies of this book to, to help them with their birth experiences, are also persuing careers in the OB-GYN 'field'. The 10 women that I have loaned this book to have all come back to me to confide that they too believe that there are purely physical totally sacred things that we humans must acknowledge. During their birth experience they trusted them selves because they 'just knew, the same as the women at the farm just knew'. Every woman I have ever spoken to who had a powerful, positive birthing experience admits that they read this book before the birth and now have this book in their permanent library. Please understand that there are many people who have never read, seen or heard of 'Spritual Midwifery'. The majority of mothers that I know have not read this book,BUT the ones who have are deeply empowered and committed to empowering more birthing mothers. OH, and get used to over coming the language-generation-gap while reading this book, it will be good practice for when you have teenagers!
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Summary: Warm, funny, fascinating and informative
Review: This is truly the best book I've ever read on childbirth. It is full of real stories of real women giving birth-the good bad and ugly. It is very inspiring. NOT your typical "breathe, play cards and study Lamaze book!" Full of practical advice as well as detailed information written in plain english for midwives. Full of pictures, art and wisdom.
Pati Faul
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Summary: Dated style but timeless content
Review: To get the real, and very great, value of this book, you have to be able to tolerate its hippie style. Women don't have "pains" or "contractions," they have "rushes," etc. And lots of psychedelic decorative illustrations! But it's worth looking past those superficial things, because Ina May Gaskin and the women (and a few men) who contributed to her book have a tremendous amount of profound wisdom about birth. I read this book between the second and third of my three births -- all unmedicated, all in hospitals -- and I attribute mainly to its influence the much greater level of joy that accompanied every part of my third childbirth -- the easy parts and the hard parts, the work parts and even the scary parts. A great book to read in your second trimester as you try to integrate what is coming your way -- and an indispensable book to have read if you work with or support women in or approaching childbirth.
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Summary: Ina May made all the difference
Review: Twenty three years ago, while expecting my first child, I came across Ina May Gaskin's book. I read it cover to cover and was fascinating. When I'd asked my mother what labour was like she said "If it was that bad, would I have had six?" Ummm ... not very enlightening. This book gave me a good, clear eyed look at what to expect in labour, what it feels like and how to approach what would be an unfamiliar and potentially frightening experience. I realize that good genes probably helped, but I credit this book for allowing me to relax enough to have two virtually painless labours. I unexpectedly find myself pregnant again, and while, as a diabetic grandmother I doubt I'm a good candidate for home birth this time, I intend to carry the lessons into the higher tech environment more appropriate to my age and health. Birth is a physical manifestation of spiritual practice. Ina May knows that and communicates it vividly!
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