Recommendations please?

[heliana]

hello Any more recommendations for birth books?
I want to get a good one for my friend who is a pregnant and bit scared to give birth again after first birth.
Ta xx

[Little Miss Sunshine]

I love New Active Birth

[Shanti]

Absolutely recommend a book called "BIRTH" by Catherine Price & Sandra Robinson (written by midwives)

It's Australian and so up to date and covers everything you can buy it at Kmart, BigW & online.

[Cassius2]

I think there is a new thread on here about labour books and reviews...

that said i think that books by sheila kitzinger are fantastic (pregnancy and birth is the one i had and found it great!).

HTH

[heliana]

Thanks girls.
Hey I was just wondering about hypnobirthing? Has anyone tried that?

[heliana]

She has been through birth before, so I didnt want to get her something too explanitory, I have heard birth is good, but Im not sure its what Im looking for. thanks tho Actually she's abit scared of the pain, so I wanted something to help her practically and help her to feel positive about it.
What is new active birth like?

[MantaRay]

I read New Active Birth before my second DS was born and I was SO glad I did. Because mostly of what I learnt from that book I had a much better experience second time around. It helps you understand what positions are good, why being active is important (although my labour was too quick to really put that into practice) and how to breathe to help the pain. I highly recommend it.

[Little Miss Sunshine]

Yeah the book is all about positioning in labour, I have yet to put it into practice, I am hoping to any day now I also had a bad first birth experience and I feel it has given me confidence that I can do it. If your friend has iTunes you can gift her A Labour of Love Hypnosis for Birth cd (Gabrielle Targett) which is 30 mins long and has a 7 min affirmation mantra as well. You can buy it as a cd as well but I ordered it as an iTunes thing as I was taking my iPhone with me anyway. She has a very pleasant Australian accent and it is very relaxing to listen to but I have not put it into practice yet. It is just another thing I am trying in the hopes of getting a better birth.

[Shanti]

The book I'm recommending (BIRTH) is written also in a very positive way.... very supportive way. It explains birth how it is and how diff stages of labour but what you can do to progress and work your way thru it at each stage. its' very very good. And it reassures you the whole way thru that we are women who are born to do this and our bodies are designed for our babies etc.... it's so good. I feel so positive about birth after reading it!!
Have a read of it at Kmart or somewhere next time you are out!!

[heliana]

thanks ladies makes me feel clucky all this talking about birth! I'll go check those books out tomorrow.

[Doula Mumma]

I have just finished reading " A Labour of Love" Gabrielle Taggart.
I highly recommend it. It does mention about Hypnobirthing too.
Easy to read, also includes birth stories from other Aussie mums.

[Santosha]

I am absolutely loving 'Gentle Birth, Gentle Mothering' by Dr Sarah J Buckley. Very empowering and really inspiring my confidence that my body was meant for this, and that it will all go well if I can relax and trust in the process - maybe a good message for your friend (though I notice the initial post was from a while ago)

[heliana]

Thank-you.
I ended up getting her 'birthing from within'. Long story Hope its good, it sounded like it would be. Thank-you for all the recommendations though, I will pass them onto her.

[Tobily]

Birthing from Within is great

Another one that also came to mind is "Better Birth" by Lareen Newman and Heather Hancock (2006). It's an Australian book as well, written by a couple of midwives.

It focuses on preparing for a better experience second time around and has lots of good information and positive "second timer" stories.

All the best to your friend for a great birth

[heliana]

oooh that book sounds great!

[Julie Doula]

Birthing from Within is great. The author had a pretty traumatic birth the first time round, and the book is a result of her journey to find out more to help the next time be better.

I'd read many books about birth before I came to Australia in 2004. Finding a few beauts by Aussie authors was great! Loved A Labour of Love too - and was very impressed with GBGM. It was when I read that, that I finally understood the role of birth hormones. This article by Sarah Buckley sums up that part of her excellent book.

[doudou]

i would also highly recomend ina may gaskins guide to childbirth..