CHILDBIRTH BOOKS FOR PURCHASE
Pushed: The Painful Truth About Childbirth and Modern Maternity Care by Jennifer Block
In Pushed: The Painful Truth About Childbirth and Modern Maternity Care (Da Capo, 
2007), Block reports on the current state of maternity care across the country, from inside the operating room of a hospital with a 44% cesarean rate to the living room floor of a woman who gives birth in a kiddie pool with an illegal midwife. Pushed is not a pregnancy guide, but rather a narrative investigation of modern American childbirth.
Do routine inductions, C-sections, and epidurals equal medical progress? Why are home-birth midwives illegal in 11 states? Why are physicians and hospitals denying women vaginal births after cesarean? Can breech babies be born vaginally? How did episiotomies become routine? Where does Pitocin come from? Should midwives go to jail? Is home birth safe? Are women really requesting unnecessary C-sections? Is normal birth the next “woman’s right to choose”? Pushed tackles all these questions and more.
$25
Ina May's Guide to Childbirth by Ina May Gaskin
Discover the hidden wisdom that has guided thousands of women through childbirth with more confidence, less pain, and little or no medical intervention.
The birth stories will inspire, educate, and challenge you to work toward the birth you desire.
Recommended reading for women desiring natural childbirth
$16
The Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth by Henci Goer
Award winining medical writer and birth advocate Henci Goer gives clear, concise information based on the latest medical studies. Goer helps you compare and contrast your various options and show you how to avoid unnecessary drugs, medical procedures, and restrictions.
Includes chapters on inducing labor, IVs, artificial rupture of membranes, coping with slow labor, epidurals, episiotomy, vaginal birth after cesarean, episiotomies and doulas.
$16
Birthing From Within, an Extra-Ordinary Guide to Childbirth Preparation by Pam England and Rob Horowitz
Written by a midwife and a psychologist, this book offers parents-to-be creative suggestions for exploring the 'art' of preparing for childbirth. Focusing on the mother's response to pregnancy and labor, this comprehensive guide examines a variety of activities and pain management techniques and includes medical explanations, personal stories and reflections, and practical tips.
Recommended reading for women desiring natural childbirth $20
BOOK REVIEW by Jen Roach
This
is my first pregnancy and I am hoping for a natural birth. I have read
several books suggested by Birth Help as well as others suggested by
friends. This is one book that has really helped me feel inspired and
empowered as I prepare for childbirth. It has been a great tool to
mentally prepare me for the fears and joys of labor and delivery.
I
love that it taps into the spiritual and intuitive sides of womanhood
and motherhood and it has definitely helped me feel more connected to
other pregnant woman. I am not very artsy but am looking forward to
connecting with my growing baby and my husband through some of the
birth-art activities. My husband plans to read this book so that we can
practice some of the pain-coping exercises with an ice cube discussed
in this book.
I
have to admit that I was a bit concerned about the author’s feelings
toward hospital and ob births (which tend to be negative), considering
that I plan to give birth in a hospital. However, I have been able to
use the information to educate myself about my rights as a woman and
mother during my labor and delivery and plan to discuss any issues I
have with my ob long before my actual due date. Ultimately, this book
has helped me feel that I am an active participant in my pregnancy and
my labor and delivery.
I
would recommend this book for any pregnant woman to help prepare for
birth, regardless of her desire for a natural childbirth. I think that
all women can benefit from the information and exercises shared in
Birthing From Within.
Pregnancy, Childbirth and the Newborn by Penny Simkin
This comprehensive and up-to-date book provides detailed
information about issues important to pregnant women and new parents. Topics covered include nutrition in pregnancy, normal variations of labor and birth, coping with childbirth pain, cesarean birth, VBACs, postpartum, and breastfeeding.
$15
HypnoBirthing: The Mongan Method: A Natural Approach to a
Safe, Easier, More Comfortable Birthing
Our culture teaches women to fear birth and that it is a painful and unsettling experience. Fear causes three physical reactions in the body--tightening of the muscles, reduced blood flow, and the release of certain hormones--which increase the pain and discomfort of childbirth.
Hypnobirthing techniques drastically reduce the pain of labor and childbirth. It does not have to be used as an exclusive natural birthing option. The relaxation techniques can be used along with other comfort measures, medication during labor, or even just as quiet time for the pregnant mother every night.
$20 Includes Relaxation CD