Birthing in the Spirit [Paperback]

Cathy Daub (Author), Elizabeth Frank (Editor), none (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 2, 2007

Many books have been written about the mind and body aspects of birth, but little has been written about the spiritual side of birth. This book is unique in the childbirth literature and introduces a philosophy that can help anyone, including women in birth, to come closer to realizing their full human potential through the practice of human values. An infallible truth about birth is that the knowledge about how to give birth is born within every woman. This means that birth is instinctive and what is instinctive does not need to be taught. Rather, women need to be encouraged to have more trust and faith in their body knowledge that already knows how to give birth. Birthing in the spirit was written to empower birthing women, showing how connecting with the spirit helps birth to become a peak experience, serving as a source of strength during the years of parenting. It was written to help birthing women not be afraid of their own power in labor. It was written for caregivers, doctors, midwives, nurses, and doulas to be more sensitive to the physiological and spiritual needs of a birthing woman. it was written for fathers/partners and anyone in contact with a pregnant woman to realize the importance of keeping her happy during pregnancy, labor, and birth, so she will produce hormones of joy. And finally, it was written so that these hormones of joy can become the first experience of a growing baby.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Birthing in the Spirit is about understanding one's inner wisdom, about learning to trust, and about empowerment. It is much more than a "how-to" book. Extremely important issues that all pregnant women face such as fears and worries, concerns about pain, questions about medical and non-medical management, body and birth physiology, sleep, support people, and birth environment are all covered along with helpful suggestions and practical methods to help a woman birth her baby. Birthing in the Spirit opens the world of pregnancy and birth in a unique way that can benefit a woman's health and her full potential to expand her mind, her body, and her spirit. With each subject, the book interweaves ancient wisdom with modern knowledge of the physiology and psychology of birth in a manner that leads a pregnant woman to a deeper understanding and trust of her own body's knowledge. Clear examples, beautiful metaphors, and well-studied concepts inspire and move one to a deeper appreciation of the true potential of birth and of the individual. From detailed descriptions of such areas as how to enlarge one's pelvis, expand one's lungs, relax into and "breathe" and vocalize "the baby out," to release worry and doubt, and achieve a sense of peace and calm, this book encompasses each significant aspect of childbirth. The key theme in this wonderful book is to discover your true nature, and to tap into the deepest human values such as "Truth, Love, Peace, Right Action, and Nonviolence." Following the wisdom that flows from these values into the birth of a human being takes one into an experience of "happiness and bliss" and ultimately into "an experience of spirit." --Marshall Klaus M.D. and Phyllis Klaus MFT, LCSW

Where was this book when I was pregnant and so fearful of giving birth-as everything in my culture had taught me to be! How much more wondrous would have been the process of bringing my daughter into the world, and how much we both would have benefited, if only i had read Birthing in the Spirit then! Cathy Daub takes us on a journey into our self, and it's the journey home. That's the magic of this book. This is the journey I would wish for any pregnant woman. --Suzanne Arms, author and journalist

Any in depth exploration of human nature is bound to address the issue of transcendental mysteries. This is why - compared with other books on childbirth - Birthing in the Spirit is a milestone towards a better understanding of human nature. Michel Odent MD Issues of a spiritual nature may help or hinder pregnancy, as well as the birth process in any of its aspects. The birth process itself, if allowed to unfold, can be seen as a spiritual preparation for motherhood. Birthing in the Spirit discusses the role of spirit in birth in a way that is practical, wise, and eloquent. Cathy Daub deserves a very large audience for this book. Ina May Gaskin, CPM In a groundbreaking publication, Cathy Daub accomplishes in Birthing in the Spirit something that I have not experienced in any other childbirth related book that I have read. Rather than the how-to format of so many birthing books which often leave readers with the impression that birth is an ordeal that women must endure in order to get that baby that they want so badly, Daub's labor of love truly makes birth feel like a work of art, and an event ties us all together through our one common and timeless experience, birth. Birthing in the Spirit is as exquisite and unique as birth itself. This book touched my spirit and I'm sure that whether you are a birthing mother, or someone who works with them, it will touch yours as well. Mindy Troge, CCE, PCD --Michel Odent MD; Ina May Gaskin CPM, Mindy Troge CCE,PCD

About the Author

Cathy Daub is a physical therapist who has worked with handicapped children over the last 25 years. She is the founder and designer of Birth Works International, a nonprofit organization that certifies women to become childbirth educators and which also offers doula services. Cathy is a music teacher, childbirth educator, doula, and is certified in Maya Abdominal Massage. She has taught childbirth educator workshops nationwide over the last 18 years and brings toether all her talents to present a unique and experiential approach to childbirth education. Cathy is co-founder of the Birth Works international doula program and also teaches national doula training workshops. She is writer for the Birth Works Childbirth Educator Manual, author of Doulas of Love: A Guidebook for Doulas and Expectant Parents, and composer of the CD of original birthing songs entitled Believe. Cathy teaches workshops on human values, nutrition, and parenting. She is a world traveler having spent 3 1/2 years abroad visiting 48 countries of the world, giving her a unique perspective on women of other cultures and their beliefs. She is the mother of two children. Cathy believes that birth is an integration of the mind, body, and spirit and has dedicated her life to helping women and children to reach their full human potential.

Product Details

• Paperback: 386 pages
• Publisher: Birth Works Press; 1st edition (July 2, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0972461620
• ISBN-13: 978-0972461627
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,021,183 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Book on the Spirituality of Childbirth, November 25, 2007

By 

Robbi Albert-Jones "Childbirth Educator & Doula" (Williamstown, NJ USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Birthing in the Spirit (Paperback)

This book is a very clear and comprehensive guide to the spiritual aspects of childbirth. It also contains a wealth of practical advice on choosing a practitioner, deciding on the right birth environment (hospital, home, or birth center?), nutrition & exercise, the labor process, and parenting practices. The emphasis is on the integration of the mind, body & spirit, and the powerful and sacred nature of the birth experience itself. The author is a respected childbirth educator who has packed a lifetime of insight and experience into her book.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A rich resource, July 4, 2008

By 

Dr. Sarah J. Buckley "MD, Author of Gentle Bi... (Brisbane, Australia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Birthing in the Spirit (Paperback)

Most childbirth books focus on the (amazing and extraordinary) physical aspects of pregnancy, labor and birth. These aspects are important, and well covered by Cathy Daub, who is an experienced childbirth educator and doula, and a mother herself. (she also runs the excellent on-line resource BirthWorks International)

What is exceptional about this book is Cathy's exploration of the spiritual and intuitive aspects of birth. She uses personal, traditional and cross-cultural ideas and stories, including those from many spiritual traditions, to inspire, She follows with practical information and guidance, including exercises and visualizations, that explore these aspects.

Chapters cover topics such as: the physiology of birth, intuition, fear and worries, detachment, positive thinking, pelvic bodywork, grieving and healing, and love as a verb. There is ample material to cover an entire nine months here, and working through this material would enhance life and parenting skills as well as birth skills.

As well, she also gives some useful information about nutrition and caring for your body: other sources of information may be helpful for those who are keen to optimize pregnancy nutrition. (My personal favorite is the nutrition section in Elizabeth Noble's Having Twins book, which is excellent for every pregnant woman.).

I have some small disagreements in her parenting section and I also would have liked some recommended reading from Cathy's diverse sources, but these are minor issues.

Overall I highly recommend this rich resource for expectant couples