Customer Reviews

The Official Lamaze Guide: Giving Birth With Confidence

5 star:		(32)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Reading this book is like conversing with loving, knowledgeable friends. By being so gently, matter-of-factly certain about the "elegance" of the birthing process, Lothian and DeVries strongly counter today's obstetric fear-mongering and the non-stop "medicalization" of birth.
The authors provide a calm, strengthening atmosphere, blending physiological facts with practical advice and the wisdom of experience. They encourage women to apply to their labors the strengths they acquire while meeting life's challenges. They connect childbearing to the whole of women's lives.
Positive childbirth stories abound. The authors suggest that woman-to-woman conversations are especially important, and advise carefully listening to others' experiences -- how have other labors and births unfolded, where did they flow. or not flow, and why? Pay careful attention to what is said, and what is not said, the feelings that exist beneath the words.
Readers are referred, among other sites and publications, to The Maternity Center Association's useful website (now called The Childbirth Connection) and its literature, to birth advocacy groups, and to midwifery organizations.
This book is rare in its wholehearted support of natural birth. It reclaims the word "natural," which has been so scapegoated and abused. It's one of the books I'd recommend, along with Ina May Gaskin's Guide to Childbirth, to young women as a necessary part of their learning about pregnancy and childbirth. And it's a breath of fresh air to all of us so passionately concerned with the well-being of women and their babies.

At last!!! Here is a book that illuminates the miracle of what a woman's body does throughout pregnancy and birth in a wise and human way. It presents powerful, evidence-based information that explains and supports a woman's ability to give birth: it honors and celebrates this ability with the inclusion of wonderful birth stories. The book is informational and inspiring in equal measure, has a pleasing format and is movingly written. It's a first in its honesty, and the first book you should read about pregnancy and birth. I recommend this book with complete "confidence" that you will recommend it, too!!!

This book is a great "overall pregnancy" guide, but a really crappy lamaze guide. Only one chapter is dedicated to the actual lamaze methods. It doesn't even explain much about it, only briefly describes techniques that some women use. The rest of the book is very informative, but not about the actual lamaze process or helpful delivery information. It should just be called a general pregnancy guide.

This book is a refreshing departure from so many of the fear-based mainstream maternity books out there. The authors clearly present the benefits of normal birth to both mother and infant with humor, compassion, and respect. The authors not only describe our present birth culture, they describe how it came to be and how we can influence it. As a midwife and a mother I would recommend this book to both clients and friends even before conception. Too few women are aware of the prenatal and birthing options that are available to them. I believe this book has the potential to help remedy this.

I wish this book had been available during my first pregnancy! First time mothers are naturally filled with fear--mostly of the unknown. What will happen? Will it be as painful as they say? Will I get through it? This book would have alleviated those fears. In a simple way, it tells you what will happen and how you can get through it. But, most importantly it tells you over and over again not only that you can do it, but that you were made to do it. Buy this book. It will be the best gift you can give your baby and yourself.

I have read so many childbirth books and finally there is one that helps to teach us to trust ourselves!! This book is written in a down to earth and enjoyable manner that makes it a book you could even get your husband to read! Mine, loved it! It is comprehensive while also being personal. It is a book that every mother to be should read. It will be the book I send to each of my girlfriends as a gift when they get pregnant. Because this book is a gift to all Mothers!

I just bought this book for my sister-in-law, who is expecting her first child. I was a little intrigued, as I had been through Lamaze classes that were taught by someone credentialed by Lamaze International (called an LCCE). I read the entire book in one sitting and really thought that it explained everything perfectly -- from what may happen, the support options and how to establish a birth plan. I plan to have my second child in the next few years and have already purchased a second copy, so there's one in my house.

Warm and wise, honest yet reassuring, chock full of information, and based on the latest and best research, any pregnant woman who wants a normal birth should put this book on her "A" List.

This book is very well organized, well thought out and is very informative. It's a great companion book for any couple who is considering going for a lamaze class or just want to get an idea of what the lamaze philosophy is. The book taught me alot more that I didn't know before I read the book. A big thank-you to the authors of this book. It encouraged me to sign up and take a lamaze class for my third and final pregnancy with my hopes of having a natural and drug-free labor.

This book is great-- I picked it up at the beginning of my pregnancy when I was looking for information on having a natural birth. This book spells everything out in clear language and provides information on both medicalized and natural, normal births. So many birth guides out there leave a lot to the imagination when it comes to discussing having a birth without medical intervention-- the Lamaze Guide delivers the pros and cons in extensive detail. I recommend this book to every pregnant woman and women trying to conceive. It sheds a new light on what you *thought* you knew about pregnancy and childbirth.