Ina May's Guide to Childbirth "Updated With New Material"

Embracing the sexuality of birth is the most helpful information I got and was a wonderful tool in labor. I might even say that it cut the perceived intensity/pain of the contractions by 50 percent. This and letting out the energy of the contractions by saying "ahhh" to open your body and keep from getting tight and focused on "pain". Contractions are intense, but you feel them coming, get prepared, ride them out, and then they go, rest and they come back with more intensity. Perinneal massage is very helpful and this book was helpful in one story it talks about how the girl knew she had to "get big" and she did. Labor and Birth are a lot about what's going on in your head. Just knowing your body is built for it and being serious about perinneal massage and learning how to relax with a bunch of pressure down there is very helpful. I was able to get through the birth process without interventions--EVEN THOUGH I HAD AN INDUCED BIRTH!!! I had the doctor cut off the oxytocin at 100ml because the contractions were getting very intense and the labor proceeded naturally; got easier and became increasingly more intense naturally. You can do it if you know you got in this mess the same way your going to get out of it--use your sexuality. You can do it. I had an induced birth because of heart reasons in the baby a day and a week after the due date. Baby was 8.2 pounds. I did take Demerol which was helpful and gave me a bit of a rest before transition; but still used the methods I learned in this book; I believe if someone told me that when I was 8cm dialated that that was the worst of it may be I could've skipped it; but a little extra relief is helpful when it comes down to it. I was planning to do a Hypnobirth; but found the breathing impossible to get a hold of during labor may be because of induction or may be just because. It felt like I was drowning trying to breathe through them. I DO however also recommend Hypnobirth to have more tools in labor and the book helps eliminate the feeling of fear going into this. I also recommend watching videos via YouTube about natural birth so you can see how other woman get through this and have more ideas in your head when you go into labor. This is how you prepare for this. Even if you plan on getting a epidural you need these tools of how to cope until you are able to take the meds. No matter how you go you need to be prepared. I wanted a natural birth; but when I look back on the experience even if you completely don't want a natural birth you still need to figure out how your going to deal with it before you get the pain relief. This book is great. I even read all of the birth stories in the beginning when I was finished with it. This book is great because of the methods, stories, and thoughts it stirs about a positive birth experience.

I consider myself to be a middle of the road person. I believe in the innate power and wisdom of the human body AND have immense respect and gratitude for modern medicine. I think this book speaks to that and am genuinely surprised by reviews that find the book’s messaging to be pushy, biased, or “earthy crunchy.” As someone who is naturally curious, I found this book to be an invitation to explore a side of childbirth we don’t readily see. Her work is fascinating and reading story after story of women’s journeys was for me very empowering and really hones in on the idea that for so long women labored in a completely different way. I am drawn to the idea of an organic, natural birth IF my body allows. What a wonderful resource to have so that I can understand ways to support my labor and that wish. The second half of the book which deals with specific aspects of labor and delivery was incredibly helpful - research based, full picture presenting all options available. There is always the case of “you don’t know, what you don’t know.” And I feel good going into my experience armed with data and options but also having had time to truly digest and consider how I want to labor and deliver. I have a list of questions for my provider and choices I would not have had without reading this gem! Delayed cord clamping is one of them - I wouldn’t have known what the standard practice is and I wouldn’t have known the benefits or disadvantages of timing one way or the other. So to me, being informed NOW versus having decisions made for me or having to make them potentially in a stressful or urgent, or even life threatening way, is so much more peaceful. I have my birth “wishes” in a much more informed, concrete way. My sincere hope is that women takeaway the message that we can do this hard thing, we are built for it, and that when the stars align it can be a positive experience. And if medical intervention is necessary there is still an opportunity to design that experience (to some extent) so that it feels peaceful. Medicine is astounding and we need solid doctors, for sure, and yet, I believe there is room for midwives to be woven into the birth experience more readily.

Every person should read this book. It’s amazing and useful.

I have three boys and am pregnant with #4 (a girl) due in a few months. I gave birth to my first two boys vaginally w/ medical intervention ("stalled" at 4 cm and agreed to pitocin and epidural mainly because I had no clue what was going on and wanted to indeed see my babies..and be done w/ labor!! We live 35-50 mins from the hospital and I went in both times at the first twinge of labor fearing that they baby would be born in the car if I didn't go in. BIG mistake!! I fell victim to "the system" and b/c of the pit the contractions were excruciating! Thank goodness I was healthy and my babies were healthy and we were able to withstand the interventions w/out scare and the baby's heartrate going down from pit and ending up in a c-section.) Someone told me before I had my third son to imagine my cervix opening with each contraction and to let my body go as loose as possible - not to double over and tense my body etc. esp in the stomach/uterine area. I had polyhydramnios with my 3rd son (estimated 10 lbs of extra fluid for unexplained reasons, although I think now it had to do with diet/nutrition etc. and my schedule, plus the fact I started the pregnancy off 20 lbs overweight) and went into labor on my own at home at 36 weeks 2 days. I labored at home (unknowingly in a way b/c it was so early) using these suggestions from my friend (waiting to see if I was actually in labor b/c we didn't want to be, it was still early) to deal w/ the contractions. I tried to imagine "opening" but everything else came naturally (the vocalizing/sounding like a cow lol b/c that was the only thing I *could* do if I was trying to relax my body during contractions!). I told my hubby in the car on the way to the hospital that if I was at 4 cm I would likely ask for an epidural when we got there so that gives you an idea of my pain threshhold. I had been laboring about three hours. When I got to the hospital and was checked I was at 10 cm and 100 % effaced!!!! I couldn't believe it! Unfortunately due to the polyhydramnios, when I was laid on my back and the OB broke my water, the baby turned from head down to the side and the cord came first requiring an emergency c-section. :( I wish I would have been told to squat and asked that my water break naturally to up the chances of head engaging before the cord came etc. I know the cord still could have come first but then again, maybe it wouldn't have, only the Lord knows. I am planning to vbac and came across this book and am SO glad I did. I finally understand *how* my body did what it did with my third son because of this book and am confident that I can vbac w/ out any medical intervention (because any inducing drugs raise the risk of uterine rupture esp. with scar). Because my body was "ready" to have my third son, my labor went more quickly, was way less painful (pitocin is evil LOL), and even though I did have an emergency in the end the feeling of knowing I could do it "on my own" was very empowering and amazing! There are books like "Silent Knife, Cesearean Prevention and VBAC", and others that tell you the "why" of the benefits of natural birth etc. but THIS book (Ina May's Guide to Childbirth) helped me with the "how" (along with the why) but the "how" throughout the book. I feel this was largely due to many of the beautiful, authentic, and what should be the NORMAL birth stories of so many woman. This book helped me mentally and emotionaly with the "how" for myself and what I need to know and do for my next birth. I am going into this next birth with very, very little concern of the "pain" of laboring and childbirth and with full confidence that my body knows exactly what to do because it was designed to do so! It def. helps that I have three boys already - but really I sincerely wish I had this book to read 8 years ago before I had our first son. I would actually just love to give birth at home (I would have NEVER thought I would say this, I can remember listening in terror to a story of a woman who, "oops had her baby at home because there was no time!" before I had my first son lol) but feel the hospital is where we need to be b/c of where we live and this being my first vbac. I hope this review helps you buy this book. If I could buy a thousand or more of them and give them to every pregnant woman I ever saw, I would!! Highly rec.! Disclaimer: I know that just reading this book doesn't garauntee anything but it will give you the knowledge you desperately need to know about childbirth. Childbirth in the U.S. truly is in a sad, sad state and we women need to educate ourselves. There will always be a small rate of true "emergency" so be flexible but don't give your power to birth as your body knows how to away! :)

Very inspiring and affirming! Gave me great information and peace. I feel better equipped for my labor journey. Not very biologically informative but I don't think that is the purpose of this book. Spiritual and emotional preparation.

This is a must-read! I also had to read in my career as an LMT. It prepares you for what is happening in your body at different stages. You will study everything from A to Z of what you need to know. Well worth the price and a book you will read for years to come.

I loved this book! As a first time mom nervous about childbirth this book gave me so much confidence in my body to do its job. The book is set up in 2 parts: part 1 is just birth stories, part 2 is medical information about birth. The birth stories were wonderful to read. Yes, a few were very "New-Agey" and kind of "hippie" like but just hearing about different women who successfully gave birth was very helpful to combat all the people telling me to just "Get an epidural as soon as you can." and all the horror stories people somehow think are acceptable to tell to a pregnant woman. Not all of the stories are for everyone, but that's okay. Even if you just want to hear some positive birth stories, you will enjoy them. There's a snarky comment about the experience of one woman who went to assist in another's birth and I think it's inappropriate. The women at The Farm (the community that Ina May established for those who wish to pursue natural birth) see the value in helping other women through birth and we as a Western society forget that this used to be the only way women had any assistance during birth before hospitals and OBGYN's. I think it's a beautiful example of how this community functions. You don't have to agree with it, just move on to the next story if it isn't your cup of tea. The medical information in the second half has helped my confidence immensely in choosing to have a "natural" hospital birth. Keep in mind this is coming from the point of view of a midwife, not a doctor, so it's not going to have the same voice as those in a medical profession. Ina May goes through how the body responds to labor and possible interventions you may see in the hospital. Although she is clearly for having as natural a birth as possible, she definitely gives what I think of as an unbiased view on these things as she can. She defines the interventions for you and tells you possible side effects. She says which ones you can definitely refuse without endangering yourself or your baby if you choose to, but as I read through this I never felt like I would be considered less of a mother if I chose any one of these things. Though she is clearly trying to show you the benefits of using a midwife vs. traditional doctors, she makes intelligent points and is clearly just trying to inform her readers. She also has many many references and resources to back up her claims and the statistics of the midwives she showcases speak for themselves. I think this is a great book for anyone trying to learn more about the childbirthing process, anyone who is nervous or doubting their ability to do it, or anyone who just wants to know their options in care. I have recommended it to several people and am loaning it to my cousin who is due in March.

This book is super informative and helpful! It’s so nice to read real experiences! I would recommend this book!

It helps you to have a positive mindset about birth

A must must must read for all pregnant ladies out there. Also a must read for everyone giving unsolicited advice to the pregnant ladies!

Highly recommend this book to any pregnant parents, midwives, or doulas! It’s fascinating, easy to understand and informative from cover to cover.

Amazon book to profoundly change your perspective on birth. The book was one of the key factors why I ended up having a homebirth and this was just the right decision for our family. I’ve gifted the book to multiple other pregnant women and it was a highly appreciated gift. It should really be a staple for mums to be.

I bought it for my wife, and ended up reading it all before her. It shines light on what childbirth really is, and it's exactly what I needed as a father to understand the whole process. Definitely recommended.