Gentle Birth Choices

This book is perfect for expecting moms and new moms, it’s never too late to learn things such as birthing and the choices we have when pregnant and giving birth. Recommend to everyone

By the time I was pregnant with my 3rd child, I already knew a lot about childbirth. But one day I was browsing the library shelves and looking over their pregnancy books, looking for something new to read that would start to put me in "birthing" mode. I came across the book Gentle Birth Choices by Barbara Harper and really enjoyed it. Now that I am a doula/Childbirth Educator, I own my own copy and it is a book I often recommend.Barbara Harper, RN is the founder of Global Maternal/Child Health Association, which is a non-profit organization committed to educating the public about natural birth - specifically water birth. I had never heard of her, or this organization, at the time that I first read the book, but I was considering a water birth then. I was already planning on giving birth at a free standing birth center, which did have Jacuzzi tubs in every room, so I was hopeful of using the water in some point in my labor, and possibly delivering there. But I wasn't really committed to it yet; it was just something that was in the realm of possibilities. After reading Gentle Birth Choices I couldn't imagine why anyone wouldn't want a water birth!So, tell us about the book?Gentle Birth Choices is well organized into 8 chapters. It is a very easy read, but will take more than a few hours. I read it in a few days the first time, and recently re-read it in about the same time.Chapter 1 is called "Gentle Beginnings" and consists of explanations of what a Gentle Birth is, and examines the necessary ingredients - things like low light, a reassuring environment, well prepared mom, early breastfeeding, etc. It also includes explanations of why these things are necessary and "better" for your baby.The next Chapter is on the Medicalization of Childbirth. This chapter discusses the history of childbirth in the US, and the corresponding results in today's healthcare. This is actually a fascinating read!Chapter 3 is on medical myths and the goal is to debunk some widely held beliefs about childbirth (such as the hospital is the safest place for childbirth, continuous fetal monitoring is necessary, that kind of thing)Chapter 4 is called a "Gentle Revolution" it is about the natural childbirth movement and it's history.Chapter 5 is on the use of Midwives and their status in this country. You need to bear in mind that this book is 10 years old, so some of the information on state laws is out of date.Chapter 6 is on water birth; its history, its benefits, water birth around the world, as well as an FAQ of commonly asked questions about water birth. If you are considering a water birth, this chapter is a must read! It is also good to give to family/friends who think you have lost your mind :)Chapter 7 is on the mind-body connection in childbirth.And finally Chapter 8 is on making gentle birth choices - choosing where to give birth (hospital, birth center, or home), choosing a care provider. That kind of thing.After that there are 7 appendices, which range from questions to ask a doctor/midwife, to writing a birth plan, to resources.All in all it is a very complete book on planning a gentle birth and why you would want to.So, what's wrong with the book?Nothing is really wrong with it. It is a great read and is very interesting. But I think it has a target audience of people that are already committed to natural birth. I think Ms. Harper goes a little too far with the "touchy-feely stuff" at times, which is OK - childbirth is a very emotional thing. But she also goes too far with her commitment to natural childbirth.Let me explain that. I am a VERY staunch supporter of natural childbirth. The over medicalization of childbirth is a huge part of the health care crisis in the US. However, I also know that there are times when the interventions are necessary. Are they needed as often as they are used? Not even close, but sometimes they ARE needed. And when they are needed, I thank G-d that they are available!However, Ms. Harper does not seem to acknowledge this well. She says that "all women" can have a gentle birth and gives the impression that interventions are never needed. First of all, that is just false, and second of all, I think it sets women up for heartbreak. For example, what happens to the woman who does all this planning for her gentle birth and then something is wrong with the baby and she has a needed c-section? Is she then a failure? I don't think so, but I am not sure that Ms. Harper feels the same.Final ThoughtsDespite my criticism, this really is an excellent book and I do highly recommend it! It is packed full of information to help you make decisions on planning the best birth possible. It might be a bit too out there for someone on the fence about natural childbirth, but if you are already committed to a natural birth, and just want a little pep talk to help convince you that you are doing the right thing - or just want to learn more about water birth - than this is the book for you.

When I was pregnant, I read many books, wanting to explore the many options that I had. I ultimately decided on birthing in a hospital, but with a doula and a midwife. While I knew that both would work to assist me in a natural birth, I still felt unsure of whether or not *I* could handle it. Often, pregnant women are told horror stories of the pain, of how most women are "screaming" for an epidural, of what can go wrong in labor. Very rarely are gentle, beautiful birthing stories told.For me, this is where this book comes in to play. I did not read this book looking for knowledge and factual information on birth, I'd already gleaned that from several other books. I read this book wondering if a gentle birth was truly attainable.I read this book a few weeks before my due date. After finishing it, I truly felt at peace with my body and with my decision to pursue a natural birth. Sure, I still had my doubts, but after reading about all the women who had NCB in many different settings, I felt strongly that I could do it. And a few weeks later, I DID. Once labor began, I probably forgot everything I read, but what I didn't forget was the sense that I was just one of many women who embarked on a journey toward a gentle birth, and that if other women could do it, SO COULD I. My memories of my son's birth are gentle and peaceful, most of it spent in the water with my midwife holding my hands and my doula massaging me through contractions. My only regret is not having my husband read this book, too, as I think he was more nervous than I was. The accompanying DVD is also something I found immensly helpful. Neither my husband nor I had ever seen birth, but this DVD gave us an idea of what to expect. While it helped to calm me, it really helped my husband when I was actually in labor because he knew that what was happening was normal and natural.Should this be the only book you read while pregnant? NO! But then, I don't think there is any one book that really covers every little piece of information about pregnancy. Do I think this is a book that should be read by every pregnant woman? Yes, I do. Perhaps if more women read this book, pregnant women would no longer be treated to horror stories about birth, and instead, would know that, in most cases, it can be a gentle, loving process.

Great book, very informative

I really enjoyed this book but it wasn't what I was expecting. This book goes into great detail explaining the history of how the medical system for childbirth got to be the way it is and why it's not best for mother or baby. All aspects of gentle birth are explained, with lots of detail about water birth specifically.This is a very well written book filled with great information. I was hoping for a little more of a "how to" for gentle birth and that's not what this book is about. This book is more of a big picture look at gentle birth and why it's important. I was already familiar with most of what it covers from assorted documentaries. I would like to mention though that I appreciated that this book presents the same information in a more straightforward manner. The documentaries tend to try to make their argument with tons of drama. This book makes the same argument with just straight facts, no drama needed.

I have read and reread this book about three times now and each time I learn something new and remember something that I had forgotten. Barbara Harper is an incredible woman who is also and incredible midwife. Her statistics alone would convince you to listen to her wisdom and as a result gain invaluable insights into the birthing body and how to make informed choices. This book will help you understand how labor and birth can be both amazing and empowering and will give you the knowledge to know what you want and don’t want in labor and birth!

Instead of equating childbirth with the hospital, Barbara challenges this notion very well. The book is really inviting to women to educate themselves and be confident in the way their body was created. Every expectant mom should read this book. Really great read, and practical applications.

I agreed with all of the basic principles and ideas presented in this book, but these principles were explained poorly: with bias and poor anecdotal evidence. Also, a large portion of the book focused on the history of midwifery and hospital births, which really isn't helpful for someone who is just looking for a good resource on "gentle" (a.k.a. natural) childbirth. My advice: skip it, and go straight for Ina May's Guide to Childbirth.

I did not find that this book gave me very many facts about labour and birth. This book more just told me Barbara Harper's opinion about how a person should birth. I think that there are much more informative, maybe less biased books out there.

Beautiful book that will help you prepare for the most wonderful event of your life!! Gives a positive view of birth and how you can create a calm and relaxed atmosphere. I loved the visualization poems!!

Great techniques that are very practical and easy to follow. I did find the end of the book boring and flipped through it as it has historical information which I didn't find useful.