Your Best Birth

Title; You Best Birth

Author; Ricki Lake and Abby Epstein

page count; 272 pages

Why I read it; I am having a baby in November

Grade; A

Synopsis;

The national C-section rate is at an all-time high of 31 percent. Are all these C-sections necessary, or are some of them done simply for the sake of convenience? Inductions seem to be the norm, but are they always needed? Today, expectant mothers are often left feeling powerless, as their instincts are replaced by drugs and routine medical procedures.

What you are about to discover is that you have a choice, and you have the power to plan the kind of birth that's right for you-whether it is at a birth center, a hospital, or at home. In YOUR BEST BIRTH, internationally known advocates of informed choice. Ricki Lake and Abby Epstein inspire women to take back the birth experience, with essential advice on:
· Positive and negative effects of epidurals, Pitocin, and other drugs and interventions
· Inducing vs. allowing your labor to progress naturally
· The truth behind our country's staggering C-section rate
· Assembling your birth team and creating your birth plan.

"Abby Epstein and Ricki Lake have taken a wonderful and constructive approach to ensuring an optimal birthing experience. Their language creates a 'climate of confidence' for pregnant women and their families, who must make key decisions about where, how and with whom to give birth in a health care system often unresponsive to our needs. This book is like a good friend giving wise counsel." --Judy Norsigian, co-editor ofOur Bodies, Ourselves: Pregnancy and Birth and Executive Director, Our Bodies Ourselves 

My Review;

I really loved this book. It had new information that I haven't read over and over again. I loved all of the different birth stories and midwife tips. I liked that the book gave a lot of information on pregnancy, birth, breast feeding and drugs used during labor. This was a guilt free book, it made you feel more confidant with whatever method you have chosen to deliver your baby. It was nice to have a book that educates you about drugs used during labor, their benefits and the consequences long and short term. I would recommend this book to anyone who plans on giving birth to a baby. 

Complete Idiot's Guide To Natural Child Birth

Title; Complete Idiot's Guide to Natural Child Birth

Author; Jennifer L. West, Deborah S. Romaine

Page Count; 336

Why I read it; I am pregnant and want to have a drug free birth

Grade B+

Synopsis;

Thoughtful planning so mom and her supporters are ready when the baby is...

A midwife helps expecting mothers decide how natural they want their labor to be, what birthing methods are available, and the type of professional they want present. It helps women weigh factors, prepare mentally, make important decisions, and plan ahead for successful delivery and beyond.

*Only book covering the spectrum of natural birthing methods, and has a medical authority's vetting

*Expert author is a certified professional midwife and certified hypno-birthing childbirth educator

*Covers all aspects of natural birthing, from planning before women become pregnant through breastfeeding

   About the Author

Jenny West, LM, CPM, HBCE, is a registered, licensed midwife in New Mexico and a certified hypnobirthing childbirth educator. Jenny has attended over 850 births, and her practice specializes in water birth and hypnobirthing. She also teaches childbirth classes. Deborah S. Romaine is a health and senior encyclopedia writer as well as co author of dozens of books.

My Review; This book made me feel a lot more confidant about my ability to give birth without the use of an epidural, other pain drugs or an IV. One of the things I like most about this book is that it was full of new information that I haven't heard or read about before but it never gets boring to read. The only thing about this book that I felt unsure about is the claim that childbirth without drugs doesn't have to be painful. The book says  that it is intense and there will be a lot of pressure and squeezing but that pain doesn't have to be part of the experience. I can hope that is true but I have talked to people who have had natural child births and they do all talk about how great of an experience it was but no one has ever mentioned it being pain free. I would recommend this book to anyone having a baby. No matter what kind of birth you want to have it never hurts to be informed on all of the options and risks to every choice.