Customer Reviews

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

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

I am currently planning to have a home birth, so I bought this book after having already done some research into home birth. I'm based in London, but my edition was a US version so some information wasn't relevant. The spirit of the book is generally uplifting and inspiring. I bought a used edition without realising that it was from 1991; lots have changed since then, particularly regarding maternity wards, so I found that the biggest downside of the book is that it feels "out-of-date", slightly too feminist for the 21st century first time mum. Having said that, I found that the real strenght of the book was givng practical advice on positions during labour etc. There is lots of information about it around, but in this book you could really hear the experienced and passionate midwife speak.

This is by far the worst birth book I have ever read. saying stuff how men are only in OB so they can control the women, and that midwives are gods gift to the earth! EXTREMELY BIAS POINT OF VIEW. If you are looking for a book that isn't compleatly bias, and will tell you true risks of home birth this is not the one. A better choice would be "Pushed: The Painful Truth About Childbirth and Modern Maternity Care." home birth is risky just like hospital is risky. this book portrays home birth with a midwife to be all rainbows and butterflys. stupid book I feel dumber for having read it.