Methods of Childbirth: The Completely Updated Version of a Classic Work for Today's Woman [Paperback]

Constance A. Bean (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1990

Directing parents through the sometimes confusing array of options now available, Bean provides a wealth of practical knowledge that allows people to have an active part in planning the birth of their baby. 25 drawings.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Bean presented all the "new" aids to childbirth in the original edition of this standard work ( LJ 7/72), discussing preparatory breathing exercises and the ability to experience childbirth without the use of drugs or anesthesia. Many of the same issues are discussed in this revised edition. The beginning chapters cover all aspects of pregnancy and childbirth and the later chapters cover patient rights; home births and birthing centers; and what actually occurs at the time of delivery. There is very extensive coverage of breastfeeding, which Bean strongly encourages. Detailed discussion of the politics of childbirth, patient rights, and malpractice issues all define this revision as a product of the late 1980s. Coverage is complete, but readers should be aware of Bean's somewhat negative attitude toward the established medical community.
- Debra Berlanstein, Towson State Univ., Baltimore
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Paperback: 334 pages
• Publisher: Quill; Rev Sub edition (March 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0688089011
• ISBN-13: 978-0688089016
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 5.9 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,798,214 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A little hard to get into, but definitely worth reading., July 17, 1996

By A Customer

This review is from: Methods of Childbirth: The Completely Updated Version of a Classic Work for Today's Woman (Paperback)

This book has some of the best information I've ever read
about childbirth choices. The section on the politics of
childbirth is excellent. Unfortunately, this book is not as
easy to read as some other pregnancy books, so may be over-looked
too often. As a childbirth educator, I have found it invaluable.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Fully understand types of childbirth preparation, September 1, 2006

By 

Sue Stuever Battel (Michigan, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Methods of Childbirth: The Completely Updated Version of a Classic Work for Today's Woman (Paperback)

What I appreciated most about this book is that it helped me fully understand the various methods of preparation for childbirth. Because I only attended the "how to be a good patient" hospital childbirth classes before the birth of my first child, I felt like I was lacking a lot of knowledge about how to better prepare for birth. I got a lot out of the history of childbirth methods and preparation types. It helped me see why today's popular methods (Bradley, Lamaze, etc.) came to being and how mothers and their experiences are affected by each. I used this information later while pregnant with my second child to make the best choices for me.