Reading List

This is the list of info i wish someone had given me:Feel free to pass along my info to anyone you know who is pregnant, and is looking for this kind of info. My research totally paid off. Fintan is gorgeous, and I had a truly beautiful labor and delivery. I'd do it all over again in a heartbeat. I ended up choosing to have a home waterbirth. I found the experience empowering and healed a lot of past issues. I don't think home birth is for everyone, but a lot of tools I used to stay calm, focused, and dealt with pain would be extremely useful in a hospital setting as well.


Books that were Helpful
Ina May's Guide to Childbirth - I cannot say enough about this book.  This was the book that made it seem more possible to actually have a natural labor.  There were a few "hippy dippy" oh my goodness this is amazing accounts, but also a few accounts of women who were doubtful that they could have a natural labor -- but did so anyway.  Very positive. I reread it the night before I went into labor
Gentle Birth Choices by Barbara Harper


This is a good overall history of childbirth.  To be honest, I skimmed it.  Most of the info I had already read in other books/dvds. Still, it was good as a review.
Birthing From Within by Pam England


This is a really fun book to work through. Just choosing a few activities really puts a new spin on being pregnant. It's great to work on one or two of the journaling activities with a friend -- even (or especially if) you don't consider yourself to be artistic.

The Essential C-Section Guide: Pain Control, Healing at Home, Getting Your Body Back, and everything else you need to know by Maureen Connolly (yes, its a must read. It makes it less scary, and also gives a lot of good info on how to AVOID getting a c-section if it isn't absolutely necessary.







The Birth Partner by Penny Simkin -- MUST MUST MUST read for your husband/partner. It explains csections, all the different drugs and when the best time is to take them if you are planning on using pain medication, as well as natural ways to relieve pain/reduce stress, and what to do/not do. BEST BOOK EVER.


The Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth - gives a literature review of each of the hot topics in obstetrics, but has short layman's breakdowns in the beginning.  I found this really helpful to combat naysayers who brought up "scientific" information.  There is nothing quite like shooting back "well, a 2001 study showed..."