The Pink Kit/ Birth Skills - Pregnancy, Birth & Baby Forums ~ BellyBelly

Kate07 · #1 (**permalink**) September 2nd, 2009, 08:35 AM

Has anybody read either 'Birth Skills', or 'The Pink Kit'. I went googling for the first book, and it linked me to the second, so not sure if they are related.

Looking for some reading, so i can 'breathe bub out'. (IRL, i just get recommendations for drugs)

Inanna · #2 (**permalink**) September 2nd, 2009, 08:38 AM

Both are good my love - have you read "Active Birth"? That is one of my favourites...
It's great to get reading early on and be prepared...

Kate07 · #3 (**permalink**) September 2nd, 2009, 10:42 AM

Not yet! But have just looked it up, and might start there.

Thanks,

Kate

olive · #4 (**permalink**) September 2nd, 2009, 11:22 AM

id look into a calmbirth course too!! breathing techniques are fab!!

Kate07 · #5 (**permalink**) September 2nd, 2009, 12:01 PM

where would i look for courses in Melbourne?

ta

AliB · #6 (**permalink**) September 2nd, 2009, 12:59 PM

Hi there

I'm reading Birth Skills by Juju Sundin at the moment, it is fantastic and practical (with large print, lots of photos and lots of examples) and I've heard loads of good things about it. Juju also sells various DVDs and has lots of info on her website (just google her name).

If you are are thinking of doing Calmbirth, I'd still read Birth Skills as the philosophies are pretty much opposite. (Although there is some overlap in techniques). That way, you can see what makes sense to you and also have a big kit bag of techniques and ideas to try on the day.

AFM, Birth Skills philosophy rings most true with me; but I'm also doing prenatal yoga with a practitioner who loves calmbirth, so I'm getting a bit of both.

GL and happy reading!

olive · #7 (**permalink**) September 2nd, 2009, 01:12 PM

try 'about birth' they used to do the workshops at bellybelly centre

melbel · #8 (**permalink**) September 2nd, 2009, 02:04 PM

I have just started to read New Active Birth by Janet Balaskas as I found it at the local bookstore the other day and I have to say her philosophies and techniques really gel with me.....must look into these other books mentioned....

Janie · #9 (**permalink**) September 2nd, 2009, 02:07 PM

Kate, if you google calmbirth or hypnobirth melbourne, you'll find there are a few places that offer courses. Narrowing down which are the best, I can't help you with

still trying to decide myself.

Kate07 · #10 (**permalink**) September 2nd, 2009, 02:09 PM

Thanks all!

teresa · #11 (**permalink**) September 4th, 2009, 11:05 AM

i am reading birth skills and finding it fantastic. ju ju is widely supported and recommended in the antenatal world. i find her teachings fantastic and exactly what i was looking for. i highly recommend this book. i am a first time soon to be mother and birth terrifies me but with this book, it has really made me look forward to it and not fear it!!! good luck!!

Kate07 · #12 (**permalink**) September 10th, 2009, 04:53 PM

Are there differences in the content between the UK and USA published versions of New Active Birth?

The UK version was printed in 1992 and is a pinky cover with a sepia photo of mum and bub on the front, written by Janet and Arthur Balaskas.

The US version was printed in 1994 and has a blue-green cover with a drawn pic of pregnant woman, written by Janet Blaskas, foreword by Sheila Kitzinger.

Has anybody seen both?

If not, which copy do you have?

I am looking at them on-line at 'Borders' so can't compare the two. The US version is abit cheaper to buy but published later.

cheers,

melbel · #13 (**permalink**) September 10th, 2009, 05:02 PM

not sure...the one I just bought has a yellow cover with a mum and bub photo so different again......it says its a UK edition but is written by Janet Balaskas, forword by Sheila Kitzinger, introduction by Michel Odent.

isbn is 978-0-7225-2566-1

hope that helps!

Kate07 · #14 (**permalink**) September 10th, 2009, 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by melbel

not sure...the one I just bought has a yellow cover with a mum and bub photo so different again......it says its a UK edition but is written by Janet Balaskas, forword by Sheila Kitzinger, introduction by Michel Odent.

isbn is 978-0-7225-2566-1

hope that helps!

Maybe the scanned in pic made it look more pink but it could actually be yellow, the ISBN matches the UK one i am looking at.

You like?

Thanks

ETA looking more closely, both books have foreword by Sheila Kitzinger and intro by Michael Odent. The Uk one adds Arthur Balaskas, where the US one only says Janet Balaskas as author

melbel · #15 (**permalink**) September 10th, 2009, 05:09 PM

yeah very much so! havent finished it yet...am finding since being prgnant my attention span has gone to the dogs! there are some really good yoga type exercises to strengthen your core etc etc in preparation that i have started doing...simple but effective stuff.....

Kate07 · #16 (**permalink**) September 10th, 2009, 05:16 PM

Can't wait to get my copy!

I am also getting "Ina May's Guide to Childbirth", which was recommended here. I was also trying to find "Spiritual Midwifery" which was recommended by some 'older' women who had homebirths, and then found that they are written by the same author, and it sounds like "Ina May's Guide to Childbirth" is the updated version, so very keen to check it out too.

ta

Campari · #17 (**permalink**) September 10th, 2009, 05:19 PM

I read and loved Birth Skills.. My DH also read it and it made sense to him, so he was able to help me out more during labour and he understood why I was bashing the wall with each contraction!

It definitely helped with my labour (ended up being a great birth), and I am genuinely looking forward to doing it all again!