Homebirth: The Essential Guide to Giving Birth Outside of the Hospital [Hardcover]

Sheila Kitzinger (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 15, 1991

More and more women are keen to explore their options for childbirth, and to choose the kind of birth that they feel is best for them and their babies. For many women, giving birth at home in their own surroundings has significant advantages. In this book, Sheila Kitzinger gives the reader all the information she needs to plan a birth in a setting that she can control herself, whether at home, in a birth centre or in a birthing room. She cites first-hand accounts of birth in and out of hospital.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Kitzinger ( The Complete Book of Pregnancy and Childbirth , LJ 3/1/81; 1989. rev. ed.) examines alternatives to hospital births, conceding that this is not the right choice for everyone. She outlines important considerations in choosing a birth setting, then details the process of preparing for birth at home or in a birth center. She also offers information valuable to expectant parents regardless of their choice of birth setting. The book, which is quite readable and fairly well referenced, also includes a short list of birth centers and organizations that can provide further information specific to local areas. A nice addition for all popular medical collections.
- KellyJo Houtz Parish, Univ. of Missouri-Kansas City Sch. of Medicine Lib.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 208 pages
• Publisher: Dorling Kindersley (September 15, 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1879431017
• ISBN-13: 978-1879431010
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 7.7 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #101,634 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Empowering!, November 24, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Homebirth: The Essential Guide to Giving Birth Outside of the Hospital (Hardcover)

When I was pregnant with our 4th child, I became very fearful of what my labor would be like. My third delivery was hard. My son was posterior and my back ached terribly throughout. When my husband and I took a refresher course of our childbirth class, I knew I needed some extra encouragement. My midwife recommended Homebirth, by Sheila Kitzinger. I DEVOURED it!!! She makes childbirth an empowering life challenge. Whether you have your baby at home or not, the advise and words of encouragement are a great booster to your resolve to have a natural, gentle birth! Birthing is both physical and mental, and she addresses both aspects beautifully. Had I not read her book, I would have begun my fourth labor with fear and dread which would have made it even harder! But because I was confident and relaxed, it was an incredible birth with little pain physically, and no doubt or fear mentally.

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing Book!, February 7, 2001

By 

Adriene (Minnesota) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Homebirth: The Essential Guide to Giving Birth Outside of the Hospital (Hardcover)

This book offers several stories of homebirth, their joys and triumphs. The pictures are breathtaking, and the author does an impressive job in her descrpitions of the events. Highly recommended for anyone considering homebirth, or simply interested in the beautiful process of childbirth.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Homebirth and you, March 14, 2000

By 

Martin J Spielman Jr (Edison, NJ USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Homebirth: The Essential Guide to Giving Birth Outside of the Hospital (Hardcover)

This book is simple yet gets to the point of the issue. Homebirth is a pleasant alternative, especially to those traumatized by previous hospital births. The book talks about involving the whole family and has some wonderful pictures.