Rating: 
Summary: A wonderful overview of how a doula can help you
Review: "Doula is a Greek word referring to an experienced woman who helps other women. The word has now come to mean a woman experienced in childbirth who provides continuous physical, emotional, and informational support to the mother before, during, and just after childbirth." That's how the authors of "Mothering the Mother" define a doula. Sound wonderful? After reading the book, you'll think so. "Mothering the Mother," written by childbirth authorities Marshall H. Klaus, M.D., John H. Kennell, M.D., (co-authors of "Parent-Infant Bonding") and Phyllis H. Klaus, M.Ed, C.S.W., is fascinating reading. The book explains the role of the doula, how she can support the mother and father during birth, and cites studies that document how birth with a doula improves outcomes in areas such as length of labor, rates of vaginal deliveries, the use of medications and other interventions. According to the authors, doulas shorten first-time labors by an average of two hours, decrease the chance of Cesarean section deliveries by 50 percent, decrease the need for pain medications, help fathers participate in the birth with confidence, increase success in breast-feeding. "Mothering the Mother" follows the actual course of birth in various settings and includes photos of birthing women being assisted by fathers and doulas. The book shows readers how to achieve the benefits of having a doula, and how to find and evaluate a doula.
Rating:
Summary: A wonderful overview of how a doula can help you
Review: "Doula is a Greek word referring to an experienced woman who helps other women. The word has now come to mean a woman experienced in childbirth who provides continuous physical, emotional, and informational support to the mother before, during, and just after childbirth." That's how the authors of "Mothering the Mother" define a doula. Sound wonderful? After reading the book, you'll think so. "Mothering the Mother," written by childbirth authorities Marshall H. Klaus, M.D., John H. Kennell, M.D., (co-authors of "Parent-Infant Bonding") and Phyllis H. Klaus, M.Ed, C.S.W., is fascinating reading. The book explains the role of the doula, how she can support the mother and father during birth, and cites studies that document how birth with a doula improves outcomes in areas such as length of labor, rates of vaginal deliveries, the use of medications and other interventions. According to the authors, doulas shorten first-time labors by an average of two hours, decrease the chance of Cesarean section deliveries by 50 percent, decrease the need for pain medications, help fathers participate in the birth with confidence, increase success in breast-feeding. "Mothering the Mother" follows the actual course of birth in various settings and includes photos of birthing women being assisted by fathers and doulas. The book shows readers how to achieve the benefits of having a doula, and how to find and evaluate a doula.
Rating:
Summary: A wonderful resource
Review: "Mothering the Mother" is a fantastic book on how a doula can help make the birthing process better for the mother, the husband, and the baby. As "the husband" in this trio I especially appreciated the extra effort the authors made to put my mind at ease about my role in the birthing process. My wife and I read the book cover to cover before meeting with our doula for the first time and it really helped us to feel more informed and at ease about the entire process. I'd recommend this book to anyone considering the special help a doula can offer.
Rating:
Summary: A wonderful resource
Review: "Mothering the Mother" is a fantastic book on how a doula can help make the birthing process better for the mother, the husband, and the baby. As "the husband" in this trio I especially appreciated the extra effort the authors made to put my mind at ease about my role in the birthing process. My wife and I read the book cover to cover before meeting with our doula for the first time and it really helped us to feel more informed and at ease about the entire process. I'd recommend this book to anyone considering the special help a doula can offer.
Rating: 
Summary: Very informative, quick read
Review: After seeing several references to Doulas in other pregnancy and childbirth books, I was curious about exactly what a Doula does and doesn't do. This book answered all my questions. It is well-oranged and easy to read -- I finished it in about 2 hours. The authors are certainly very pro-Doula, but I can't think of anything they're against, except mothers being forced to experience childbirth alone. I am likely to search for a Doula when I get pregnant. The only negative is the very 70's-ish photos, which I found a bit distracting, but they certainly don't detract from the content.
Rating:
Summary: Mother's-to-be please take a look!
Review: any woman or couple who is expecting a baby should take the time to read this wonderful book, then check out the opportunities for labor assistance in their area. What a difference it can make in having a birth experience that you will look back on fondly.
Rating:
Summary: The most up to date information about Doulas.
Review: I am a doula and the information that is contained in this book is informative and helps our clients learn about what we can and cannot do to help them. I feel that every mother should have a doula. Not because I am a Doula, but because I had a Doula myself. This book will let couples make informed decisions about having a doula at their birth.
Rating:
Summary: My first doula book
Review: I am a soon-to-be doula in training. This was the first book I've read from the required reading list. The writing is well put together and down to earth. It was an excellent overview of the challenges ahead. It works well as a first "taste" of the service offered by loving, caring, labor assistants.
Rating:
Summary: What to expect and look for
Review: I just finished the book in two days which is an accomplishment with four children at home. EVERY expectant mother should read this book and let it open your eyes to the TREMENDOUS help a doula can be. Even the most skeptical mothers or partners will finish this book with a new sense of what a doula is and how her services should be in EVERY hospital and birthing center. I recommend it to everyone expecting even if you have never heard of a doula. There is an entire chapter deticated to the studies of how doulas shorten labor, enhance labor experiences, lessens c-sections, lessen post partum depression....and the list goes on and on. Inform yourself, inform your partner, this book is excellent.
Rating:
Summary: If you think you don't need a Doula, please read this.
Review: I just finished the book in two days which is an accomplishment with four children at home. EVERY expectant mother should read this book and let it open your eyes to the TREMENDOUS help a doula can be. Even the most skeptical mothers or partners will finish this book with a new sense of what a doula is and how her services should be in EVERY hospital and birthing center. I recommend it to everyone expecting even if you have never heard of a doula. There is an entire chapter deticated to the studies of how doulas shorten labor, enhance labor experiences, lessens c-sections, lessen post partum depression....and the list goes on and on. Inform yourself, inform your partner, this book is excellent.
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