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Summary: The best book for your second birth
Review: After a long and harrowing first birth, I was looking for something more than the vanilla What To Expect When You're Expecting and with more information than you get from your doctor on ways to prevent a C-section and avoid drugs.
This is that book. There is a lot of "get in touch with yourself" art projects and such but there is also a lot of medical information and advice.
This book, more than any other, prepared me for the birth of my second child. And, I am happy to say, that despite no mid-wife and a husband who thought I was crazy not to take an epidural, I delivered au naturale after seven hours of labor. The rice socks were a life saver!
Know your options and understand them. Read this book.
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Summary: One of the two most helpful when I was pregnant!
Review: I thought this book was going to be too "crunchy" for me, but it turned out to be one of the most helpful and reassuring (the other is Sheila Kitzinger's Pregnancy and Childbirth). It's like having a very sensible experienced sensitive funny midwife talk to you, and that apparently is what she is. There is some spiritual content, but also more common sense, and nuts and bolts information than in many books, and she doesn't sugar coat the labor and birth experience but tells you how to manage it for the best possible outcome. Much much better than the What To Expect book!! I didn't do any of the 'birth art', but could see how it might help other women.
Rating: 
Summary: Birthing from Within
Review: Very similar to another method and book published earlier. needs to expand on ideas. i needed something more concrete to allay my fears. This didn't do it.
Rating:
Summary: The best book you can get
Review: This book is reassuring, empowering, and filled with practical advice. Both my partner and I feel that this book was the greatest one thing (outside of our midwives) that prepared us for a wonderful birth. A must read for anyone considering a natural child birth.
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Summary: Excellent Book with NO Scare Tactics
Review: England and Horowitz have done pregnant women everywhere a favor with this exceptional book on having a pregnancy, labor, and delivery that is truly from within. Not only do they provide proven pain management techniques, but they help you realize and face your ow anxieties and fears about pregnancy and childbirth allowing you to take charge of your experience. A wonderful book and a wonderful experience.
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Summary: Awesome!
Review: As an artist I totally love this book. Before I was even finished I completely rewrote my "birth plan" posted it on my front door for when my husband came home and sparked a three hour meaningful and positive discussion with my husband about my wishes for our baby's birth. I was surprised to learn that my husband had concerns regarding my wish for a medication free birth. He was worried if he wasn't "strong" and didn't follow a set list of rules refusing all pain relief that I would have a major sense of failure over the birth. Reading more into the book I found that this is a legitimate feeling that many women cope with when things don't go as planned and a pitfall I could see myself falling into. I was amazed at how perceptive my husband was! The book attacks this issue by covering ways to make even the most medicated birth a spiritual birthing journey. Some people may find this book a bit "out there" but even people planning the most mainstream bith will learn and be able to give greater meaning to their experience. The book gives many options, for medicated and non-medicated births and is not preachy one way or the other. I am only four months pregnant and already hearing comments like "nowadays why have pain when the epidurals are so good?" This book gives you ways to work through your fears, hopes and confront negative ideas that may lurk around you. I also loved the suggestion to have a way to communicate to your partner without speaking. We are planning on using simple sign languange words like yes, no and hug if I can't speak. This book has already improved my relationship with my partner and has made us more prepared to deal with the issues regarding our baby's birth. This is definitely a book for anyone looking to infuse some deeper meaning, personal growth and tangible techniques into the most important event of your life. This is the only book I have seen that actually suggests exercise to work through the pain of birth and doesn't just tell you what happens during birth. If you are looking for more than just the "BREATH, RELAX, BREATH" mentality then this is it. Buy this book. Prepare yourself to be a powerful birthing mother!
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Summary: Good book but don't follow the baby advice...
Review: This book is great for preparing for labor/birth. But, don't follow the information about getting baby used to drinking out of a bottle, introducing a pacifier, needing to get away for date nights, or it being unrealistic to breastfeed on demand. These are all not true. Unless you (mom) are going to be working outside the home, the baby does not need a bottle. And, it is wise to wait as long as you can before introducing it to avoid nipple confusion. Babies who are nursed don't need a pacifier, mommy's breast works just fine. And pacifiers contribute to nipple confusion and earlier weaning. Also, you and your husband do not need to get away for date nights after the baby is born. There are many ways you can have quality time with your husband without sacrificing the baby's real need to be with mom and not be separated from her. Also, breastfeeding on demand is the only way to assure that your milk supply will be adequate for the baby. It is not more demanding, but is instead easier as you learn to watch your baby's cues and not the clock. If you would like more information, contact your local La Leche League... ...
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Summary: I reviewed this one before I gave birth - STILL THE BEST!
Review: I originally reviewed this book in August of 2000, and I delivered my baby girl on November 7th... This book is STILL the best book for parents-to-be. While I was laboring, I was nervous (as any new parent might be), but most of what I had read was SO helpful in handling the contractions... I distinctly remember telling myself to "surf on top of the contraction" when I thought it was too painful - something that was talked about in a short story. I also felt no apprehension or embarassment in making all the noise I wanted. FYI, I labored at home until I was 8 cm dilated, got to the hospital (they tried to get me into a hospital gown. It was too small and constricting so I demanded it be removed and I gave birth almost nude - something I probably wouldn't have done if I didn't think to take control of my birthing experience) and delivered Sage in 45 minutes... without any drugs! I took no birthing classes, just read as much as I could. This book made me feel as prepared and a comfortable as I could, and I still talk about it to anyone who is considering a natural birth experience. If natural birth interests you - GET THIS BOOK!
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Summary: THE Book To Prepare For Labor And Delivery
Review: This is, by far, the best book for preparing a couple for labor and delivery. _Birthing From Within_ takes a completely new approach to childbirth preparation and focuses on what each individual woman and her partner need to do to prepare for THEIR own birth. Following the exercises in this book will help couples work through their "issues" and prepare for the best birth possible for them. This book contains all the information a couple needs to have regarding labor and delivery, but it also teaches the couple to think for themselves and shows them the way to learn what is truly important for them as individuals. I am extremely grateful to have had this book in preparation for my second birth and wish I'd had it for my first. The only drawback to this book is that parts of it get a little "new-agey" and may not appeal to a more "mainstream" person; but you can easily disregard anything that's too "out there" for you and still benefit *hugely* from having read the book and used the parts that worked for you. The chapter on pain coping techniques is particularly phenomenal with some completely new approaches that are extremely good. I especially like the fact that the author is HONEST about the pain of labor [and doesn't imply that it is just "discomfort" and that any woman who has pain with labor is just not "doing it right". ugh!] Having acknowledged that labor IS painful, the author then goes on to give you some amazing ideas on ways to cope with that pain. I wish I could buy a copy of this book for every pregnant couple out there!
Rating:
Summary: A good place to start.
Review: Although I don't agree with all aspects of Ms. England's philosophy of birth, I still highly recommend this book to friends who are just beginning to look into the benefits of natural birth. She brings birth back into the sacred space that traditional obstetrical care dismisses, offers a fresh perspective on pain management, and takes a well-researched and matter-of-fact look at the pros and cons of routine interventions. There are very few books on birth out there that do not cater to the medical establishment's limited view of what birth can and should be. This is one of them, and for that reason alone is worth the read.
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