Customer Reviews

Mamatoto: A Celebration of Birth

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4 star:		(1)
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This was a beautiful book full of traditions surrounding birth from around the world. Beautiful photography, poems and art. Definitely a great gift for anyone interested in childbirth.

Beautifully adorned with mothers and babes, this collection allows the Western mother and mother-to-be to step out of our comfort zone and let mothers' of the world teach us. Packed full of information in an easy-to-read style. Mamatoto offers what no other prenatal/pregnancy book can... spirit and guidance in what often feels like uncharted territory. Enjoy this book completely until it is in tatters- like mine.

While most pre-pregnancy books focus on the medical aspects of pregnancy and childbirth, this wonderful little book looks at the cultural and spiritual aspects of becoming a mother. Full of poems, stories, true anecdotes, humor, and beautiful photos and artwork from around the world, this book gives the reader a more accurate view of pregnancy than any medical text could. This book makes a wonderful gift not only for expectant mothers, but for those who already have children (or grandchildren).

I have owned this book for over 15 years and as my old book became "dog-earred" I went on a search for another copy and even called the original publisher in England! Alas, Amazon.com had a bunch! This little book has many rare birthing images and sweet old discussions about birth around the world. I wish everyone entering into motherhood or the business of motherhood had this book to flip through. Having birthed over 2500 babies in my lifetime AND as an artist I have truly appreciated this small and beautiful contribution to birth lore.

Full disclosure - I'm a guy. :-) I first ran across Mamatoto years ago before the birth of my child. I paged through the book and was enchanted by the pregnancy and childbirth legends and folklore from around the world. It is both amusing and lovely at the same time. The mommy-to-be was thrilled. I highly recommend it for all new parents. (Yes, even the daddies-to-be will like it.)

This is a must-have book if you're curious about how women in non Western countries experience pregnancy and childbirth. The book is charmingly illustrated and full of fascinating, reassuring, and inspiring anecdotes and facts about pregnancy and childbirth in other cultures and times. Essential reading for anyone questioning the overly clinical, flat-on-your-back, hooked-up-to-monitors North American method of childbirth as the only way to have baby.