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Rating: 
Summary: Useful book, references and list of contacts
Review: I enjoyed this book, and it answered my questions thoroughly and with solid documentation about the safety and risks of home birth, birth centers, and hospitals. All of the references and contacts I have researched further have been accurate, as well as helpful. It's a woman-centered, baby-centered, and family-centered book. It gave me a lot to think about and the courage to follow my instincts, as well as to know when it is and isn't safe to give birth out-of-hospital. I highly recommend it for anyone considering whether or not to go a less-medicalized route for her next birth. There is lots of information out there about how to give birth in a hospital setting, but this is one of the few sources of information about giving birth in a more traditional way. Even if one chooses to birth in a hospital, I think there is valuable information here that isn't found other places about why you might want to say no to a routine intervention, how to relax during labor, reasons for certain hospital protocols, birthing positions, having older children present, etc. I've read it several times during more than one pregnancy. It's thought-provoking, encouraging and empowering. I hope it helps you, too.
Rating: 
Summary: A wonderful book!!
Review: I suffered PTSD after having my first child in hospital. I was so damaged by the experience that I decided to have any more children. But unexpectedly I fell pregnant 6 years later, I was terrified. I was so relived when I read this book, there were other women who had been through the same thing! It gave me confidence and although nervous I decided to have a home birth with the aid of a midwife. It was fantastic, my daughter was born on the sofa with no trouble!! I cannot recommend this book enough to anyone who has experienced trauma in a hospital birth and are looking for an alternative for the next one. Inspirational and informative, a must read!!
Rating:
Summary: Useful book, references and list of contacts
Review: Kitzenger suggests she is going to provide the facts so you can make an informed decision about choosing to give birth at home, or in a birthing centre. The factual information she shares with us, `how to prepare for a home birth', `choosing a birthing partner' etc. is however laced with blatant guilt inducing propaganda. "Home birth works best for women who want to cope with pain, rather than hand the pain over to be reduced or eradicated by professionals. Unfortunately, her arguments are ridiculously one sided. Surely there must be one person in existence who had a joyous hospital experience (e.g. ME)? If there is Kitzenger did not track her down. Instead she shares with us every hospital birthing horror story, and to balance this out, every joyous home birth story. I am sure there are better books on the market, to help you make an informed birthing decision.
Rating: 
Summary: A book laced with blatant guilt inducing propaganda.
Review: Kitzenger suggests she is going to provide the facts so you can make an informed decision about choosing to give birth at home, or in a birthing centre. The factual information she shares with us, 'how to prepare for a home birth', 'choosing a birthing partner' etc. is however laced with blatant guilt inducing propaganda. "Home birth works best for women who want to cope with pain, rather than hand the pain over to be reduced or eradicated by professionals. Unfortunately, her arguments are ridiculously one sided. Surely there must be one person in existence who had a joyous hospital experience (e.g. ME)? If there is Kitzenger did not track her down. Instead she shares with us every hospital birthing horror story, and to balance this out, every joyous home birth story. I am sure there are better books on the market, to help you make an informed birthing decision.
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