Several readers have recently asked me to suggest some books. Here, in no particular order, are some that fell out of my brain.
no hot links today, though.
Nine Months, Nine Lessons by Gail Sforza Brewer Sadly, out of print. If you can find a copy, BUY IT!
The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding
by Gwen Gotsch (Foreword), et al (Paperback) (the original book on breastfeeding. La Leche League started as a Catholic group, the moms who started it were talking at the parish picnic for the Christian Family Movement in the 1950s and dedicated the group to Our Lady of Easy Delivery and Abundant Milk (picture on my blog)
La Leche League is often criticized for encouraging moms to stay home with their babies and for making working moms 'feel guilty'. It has been a family values oriented movement from day 1. If you can find a local group, I strongly encourage expectant moms to start attending meetings during pregnancy. It is a good way to find out about local docs and midwives from other mothers.
Gentle Birth Choices: A Guide to Making Informed Decisions About Birthing Centers, Birth Attendants, Water Birth, Home Birth, Hospital Birth
by Barbara Harper, Suzanne Arms
Birthing from Within: An Extra-Ordinary Guide to Childbirth Preparation
by Pam England, Rob Horowitz (Paperback)
Ina May's Guide to Childbirth
by Ina May Gaskin (Paperback) (I am mentioned in this book, BTW, from my L&D nurse days in So Cal)
The Birth Partner, Second Edition
by Penny Simkin
The Labor Progress Handbook: Early Interventions to Prevent and Treat Dystocia
by Penny Simkin, Ruth S. Ancheta (Ruth Ancheta and I were Bradley teachers together, I did prepublication review on this book and am mentioned in the acknowledgements. It is pretty technical, written for health care professionals, but I think you would probably find it interesting. I suggest buying a copy for your midwife or doctor, and another to have with you for your birth.)
The Pregnancy Book: Month-by-Month, Everything You Need to Know From America's Baby Experts
by Williams, Md. Sears, et al (Paperback)
The Birth Book : Everything You Need to Know to Have a Safe and Satisfying Birth (Sears Parenting Library) by William, Md. Sears, Martha, R.N. Sears
The Breastfeeding Book : Everything You Need to Know About Nursing Your Child from Birth Through Weaning
by Martha Sears R.N., William Sears M.D. (Paperback)(Everything Dr. Sears writes is worth reading. He and his wife have I think 9 kids? and they are both Christian and sensible).
The Doula Book: How a Trained Labor Companion Can Help You Have a Shorter, Easier, and Healthier Birth
by Marshall H., M.D. Klaus, et al (Paperback - November 2002)
The Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth
by Henci Goer, Rhonda Wheeler (Paperback) (this is the consumer version of an earlier book she wrote for professionals about OB tests and technology)
Obstetric Myths Versus Research Realities
by Henci Goer (Paperback ) (the professional's book)
Baby Catcher: Chronicles of a Modern Midwife
by Peggy Vincent (Paperback) (Peggy practiced in Berkely CA until quite recently. Tons of great birth stories)
Natural Childbirth the Bradley Way
by Susan McCutcheon, et al (Paperback) Let me warn you, it is virtually impossible to have a 'real Bradley Birth' in most hospitals. You can get minimal electronic fetal monitoring, but you will get some - and it may well end up being continuous for just about any reason (including a shortage of nurses).
Do you have any opinions on the "Pink Kit" video/book/tape set? How about Optimal Foetal Positioning or the "layperson's" guide, Sit Up and Take Notice?
hehe I have/have read many of these books. You can tell I'm a homebirther ; )
Haven't seen the Pink Kit (send me more info please) but love OFP and would imagine that the companion is equally valuable.
My CB library is several hundred books, and I was loooking for a few to start with for newlyweds considering pregnancy or newly pregnant.
I am a "Dr. Bill and Martha" (Sears) nut. I bought The Baby Book when my son was 2 months old, and it is the absolute best book on infant and toddler care and development I've read. They're just so sensible, yet loving. There's an entire chapter on baby sling holds in that book!