The Doula Guide to Birth: Secrets Every Pregnant Woman Should Know [Paperback]

Ananda Lowe (Author), Rachel Zimmerman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 19, 2009

Here is your guide to the fastest-growing trend in childbirth—a tradition as old as motherhood itself. Doulas, or professional labor assistants, have led thousands of expectant women through the birthing process in a way that’s safe and meaningful, and that creates the birth and postbirth experience all mothers long for.

What exactly do doulas do?

How to find one that suits you.

What are the “trade secrets” only doulas know but every woman should be aware of (even if you don’t have a doula)?

In The Doula Guide to Birth, senior-level doula Ananda Lowe and award-winning health reporter Rachel Zimmerman have written a most comprehensive book that draws on the wisdom of these skilled experts, whose experience with doctors, midwives, nurses, and hospitals makes them invaluable advocates before, during, and after birth.

* Labor techniques anyone can use
* Pain medication: do you, don’t you—and when?
* What dads and loved ones need and can do best
* When should you really go to the hospital in labor?
* How to prepare for unexpected medical procedures, including cesareans and epidural
* Postpartum—what it’s really like
* A clip-out chart of labor techniques, birth plan worksheets, and much more

Combining science, wit, warmth, and support, as well as the inspirational stories of dozens of mothers and their partners, you’ll find the “doula viewpoint” on every major pregnancy and delivery issue, making this one of the most important childbirth books you’ll ever read and recommend.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Ananda Lowe and Rachel Zimmerman are the perfect duo to bring The Doula Guide to Birth into life…an encouraging, informative and dynamic book for every pregnant woman to devour….Real advice from real women who have real experience, a passion for birth and a doula's heart for helping all families have great beginnings.  Thank you for giving the world this gift.” —Barbara Harper, RN, Founder/Director, Waterbirth International, and author of Gentle Birth Choices

“I loaned this book to my pregnant best friend… She didn’t want to give it back, and only did so when I promised to return it to her.”—Marjorie Greenfield MD, author of Dr. Spock's Pregnancy Guide and Associate Professor Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Case School of Medicine and University Hospitals of Cleveland

“Every expectant mother deserves access to the information, wisdom, and support so lovingly and masterfully offered in this book. If I could give every mother-to-be a gift it would be The Doula Guide to Birth because reading it will give them some of the experience of how it feels to be lovingly supported by a doula."—Pam Leo, author of Connection Parenting

“Throughout history doulas have been an important link to help women through labor and the bleary-eyed days postpartum. Finally, a resource that clearly and convincingly explains the science and the common sense of why we need doulas today more than ever. An excellent book!” —Tina Cassidy, author of Birth: The Surprising History of How We Are Born

“Being among the first to teach doulas to support laboring women and the author of the first book on the role of the birth doula, I am glad to see The Doula Guide to Birth added to the ranks of books available to childbearing women and was even more excited to read the knowledge the authors are sharing with their readers- pregnant women.”—Paulina (Polly) Perez, RN, author of Doula Programs: How to Start and Run a Private or Hospital-based Program with Success!

"Doulas play an increasingly popular and important role on the maternity scene today…The Doula Guide To Birth is a comprehensive and thoughtful book that describes exactly what doulas do, how doulas work, how they can improve your childbirth experience, and how you can incorporate a doula into your labor and delivery plans. Highly recommended to all pregnant women who wish to be fully informed about their options."—William Camann, MD, Co-author, Easy Labor

“I will gladly recommend this book to families in my prenatal classes…It will reassure women (and men) in their own abilities and shows how they can develop a positive and supportive setting for birth.”—Robin Snyder-Drummond, Certified Childbirth Educator, member of the Steering committee for Partners in Perinatal Health

About the Author

Ananda Lowe served for seven years as Assistant Director of the Association of Labor Assistants and Childbirth Educators, which conducts the oldest doula-training program in the country. She is currently a senior-level doula in Boston as well as a maternity massage specialist.

Rachel Zimmerman is an award-winning reporter who covers health and medicine for the Wall Street Journal. She lives in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Bantam; First Trade edition (May 19, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0553385267
• ISBN-13: 978-0553385267
• Product Dimensions: 5.2 x 0.6 x 8.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #45,938 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars practical and useful, appeals to a wide audience, July 1, 2009

By 

Mary TD "MaryTD" (Boston,MA USA) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: The Doula Guide to Birth: Secrets Every Pregnant Woman Should Know (Paperback)

I bought this book at 5 months pregnant with my first child. I wasn't planning to have a doula at my birth, but I really wanted a natural birth and wanted to get a take on what doula's provide and what advice I could glean from their approach. The book was one of the most informative books I've seen on what birth can be like both in and out of a hospital and the options available to women. What I loved was how, while it was definitely constantly selling the benefits of having a doula, this book gave plenty of useful advice for women not planning to use one. I personally can feel put-off by language that is too touchy-feely or focuses on things like goddess imagery of womanhood, but this book definitely did not seem to try to force one single view of birth or imagery around the experience. This is an extremely practical guide that balances affirming messages about the birth experience with summaries of the most recent research on how different techniques and procedures affect birth outcomes. It was eye-opening to see how little of the research on what gets the best birth outcomes ever gets incorporated into regular hospital procedures, and it was reassuring to get advice and tools on how to advocate for myself in any setting. The book's tone was never alarmist or judgmental and addresses itself to a wide audience. It is inclusive enough to offer support for women of diverse cultures, religions, viewpoints, and family situations. It addresses teens, LGBT families, single moms, mothers on both sides of surrogacy and adoption, women with past traumas and husbands and other partners, family members or support people. I found all of this book extremely helpful in my preparation for birth and really reassuring to read. I'll try to add to this review after I've given birth, but just in terms of reassurance and advice while still pregnant, the two books I'd rate as the most helpful to me are this and Ina May's Guide to Childbirth.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Guide, June 29, 2009

By 

Ifetayo J. White "IfetayoSun" (Beaufort, SC) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Doula Guide to Birth: Secrets Every Pregnant Woman Should Know (Paperback)

I am a doula and have enjoyed The Doula Guide to Birth immensely. It is one of the best on the market....full of insider's wisdom. Well done, Ananda Lowe.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars TDGTB is the new standard, January 20, 2010

By 

Abbey E. Hall "Mind, Body, Babies" (Mason City, IA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Doula Guide to Birth: Secrets Every Pregnant Woman Should Know (Paperback)

As a birth doula myself, I was so excited to read this book when I first heard about it coming out. Needless to say, I was not at all disappointed! This will be on the top of my recommendation list for clients and friends. As I read it I kept wanting to grab my highlighter for great new info I was learning or topics I wanted to explore further. One of my favorite components was the printable guides that are included in the book. This is definitely a must-read for all expectant parents and anyone in the birth world.

Abbey Hall
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