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Summary: Good For Pregnancy/Birth, Look Elsewhere for Babycare
Review: This book is an excellent resource for preparing a mother to birth her baby normally. It presents childbirth realistically (it's hard work; it hurts, and you can do it) and provides coping strategies that are very effective. It strives to bring out the "birth warrior" in women and to help them get in touch with their primal, creative, instinctual selves. This is NOT a book that tells you to relax and breathe! Encourages being active, aware, and insightful, and it does not patronize, sermonize, or insult the intelligence of anyone.However, like some of the other reviewers, I take issue with some of her babycare advice, especially regarding breastfeeding. For babycare advice, look elsewhere. I suggest anything by the Sears' or La Leche League.
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Summary: Only one problem with this book
Review: My only problem with this wonderful and well written book is that it is not available (to my knowledge) in Spanish. As a labor and delivery nurse, I am currently in preparation to begin teaching the Birth from Within courses at my hospital, yet our 80% Hispanic population means that most participants will only get out of our class a synopsis we plan to write in Spanish, about Birthing from Within and its ideas. They will not be able to purchase and read the entire book and this is a sad thing.
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Summary: Advocates a woman's right and need to birth her way
Review: I have read MANY pregnancy books (all of the best-sellers..) and have found that my Birthing From Within book opened me up to a world which has empowered me and educated me beyond learning the clinical definitions of pregnancy. It's my absolute favorite and I will continue to give it to friends and family as a invaluable gift. It teaches you how to open up emotionally & spiritually- by trying out art as a medium. It reassures you that art is not only for pros and that even stick figures will reveal more than we know. It teaches pain-coping techniques, gives history on birthing positions and offers numerous explanations of the female body and its miraculous functions. There are valuable chapters for men (to-be-dads) and for the relationship. It provides many opportunities to discuss and think about the massive changes happening to the relationship. Better to explore the fears before-hand than be surprised by them when the newborn arrives. What I appreciate most about the book is its attitude. It does not shun one way or another but instead encourages women to find what is right for them and to be assertive in making that clear to the folks around and present at the birth. This book will open your mind and simultaneously teach you the basics as well as enlighten.
Rating: 
Summary: Great concept, but some poor advice
Review: I bought this book because I was moved by the concept of 'birthing from within', which I interpreted as: getting past one's fears abound birth, and using creative ways of expressing feelings. It was a surprise to find in this book suggestions like having peroxide to put on the cord after a homebirth. When I saw that, I flipped to the front cover to see the publication date, and was amazed to see this is a recent publication (1998)- it's been known for years now that the cord heals best if left alone. More shocking to me was the advice (p.273-5)to introduce a bottle to the baby at 3-4 weeks of age (Contrary to the WHO code!) The authors say they do not recommend exclusively breastfeeding on demand. If you purchase this book, be sure to rely on others for more current and accurate infant care advice. I hope a new edition will contain more appropriate advice. For the time being, I suggest you view this book with caution.
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Summary: Excellent book!
Review: I loved this book during my pregnancy. It helped me to overcome some of my issues for hospital birthing and make me more comfortable with it. Some of the things seemed a little too hokey for me (the art and drawings they reccomend you do) but I otherwise loved the book.
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Summary: What a cool journey!
Review: I am reading this book as a prerequisite for a prenatal yoga teacher training course, and I love it! I am recommending it to all of my friends. It is different from any other pregnancy book I have read, and it is packed with fun activities that can really tap into your creativity, kind of bringing out your inner child.
Excellent for any woman who is preparing for birth, whether medicated or natural, physician or midwife attended, home or hospital.
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Summary: A MUST for free thinking moms
Review: This book will give you ideas / options for birthing that are not found anywhere else. Gives invaluable pain coping techniques to practice; nutrition advice; tools for pregnancy & birth. Most importantly, it provides extensive information on how to provide a better birthing situation, as we know that once you are in the birth, you must let go of control. So make the right decisions in preparation & have a better experience.
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Summary: Rediscover the Power of Birth-Start Here
Review: Discover this book and you'll rediscover yourself! BFW recognizes that women have the opportunity to rediscover the power of the birth experience as a creative energy that they can harness for their babies, for the earth, for themselves. BFW is a key inspirational and practical text showing women how to recapure their own inner strength and be leaders in their own birth processes. BFW provides a gentle road map to the heart with a series of exercises, art projects, deep relazation, visualization examples and real preparation exercises. It shares the concerns of both mother and father and recognizes that the birthing process is the opportunity to integrate masculine and feminine ways of being to heal any out-of-balances or fears in our lives. It suggests that if we are to bring birth in the United States into the 21st century (meaning reducing the irresponsiblely high cesarean rate, the scary maternal/infant mortality rate) we must allow for the positive processes of the heart/body to match the dominant powers of the mind/technology. BFW suggests that how we choose to birth our next generation is how we choose to live our lives currently and that healing the birth process is an essential ingredient to hope, happiness and peace in our future. As a doula, I've both helped women using this text and seen women take this book into the birth room in my stead and return ignited by the energy, achievement and joy of their birth experiences. Every woman deserves to know the power of their Motherhood and that birth transforms them in an incredible way.
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Summary: Perfect Gift for Mom to be unless she hates creativity
Review: This is the most refreshing, positive, energizing books I have come across for moms to be! It gives you lots of alternatives for visualizations, art work, pain management etc. Very empowering! It even gives invaluable advice on preparing for changes in your marital relationship as a result of the demands of parenthood. Yes, it may be a bit hippyish but go with it. You are in for a huge suprise if you think you can get through pregnancy, labor or parenting a young child with pure logic and order. Start flexing your creative, emotional and intuitive muscles. Your baby will greatly benefit! You will not be able to get through pregnancy, labor or raising a yourng child without getting getting dirty and stepping outside your comfort zone!
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Summary: A wonderful guide for a richer birth experience
Review: This insightful book can help you learn about birth and learn about yourself. I was lucky enough to take Pam England's birthing class and her doula training class when I was pregnant and writing my own book about midwives today, GIVING BIRTH A JOURNEY INTO THE WORLD OF MOTHERS AND MIDWIVES (2002). You can learn more about Pam's wonderful work there and the positive impact it had on my birth, but if you are pregnant and looking for something to guide your through the emotional and physical ups and downs of labor and delivery, this is the book to buy.
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