Silent Knife: Cesarean Prevention and Vaginal Birth after Cesarean (VBAC) [Paperback]

Nancy Wainer Cohen (Author), Lois J. Estner (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0897890272 | ISBN-13: 978-0897890274 | Publication Date: March 30, 1983 | Edition: Reprint

"The bible of cesarean prevention." Wall Street Journal "A landmark event, which will change the course of obstetric care by giving parents the informtion they need to make the decisions that are best for their own families. Comprehensive, highly readable, sensitive . . . should be read by everyone who cares about someone." Marian Tompson Director, Alternative Birth Crisis Coalition American Academy of Medicine "Required reading for all childbirth professionals and prospective parents." Journal of Gynecological Nursing

Editorial Reviews

Review

“A landmark event, which will change the course of obstetric care by giving parents the information they need to make the decisions that are best for their own families. Comprehensive, highly readable, sensitive . . . should be read by everyone who cares about someone.”–Marian Tompson Director, Alternative Birth Crisis Coalition American Academy of Medicine

“Should be read by everyone contemplating having children; by everyone concerned with the welfare of humanity.”–Ashley Montagu

“The bible of cesarean prevention.”–The Wall Street Journal

“Required reading for all childbirth professionals and prospective parents.”–Journal of Gynecological Nursing

“Clearly the most important book on childbirth available today, Silent Knife should be read by everyone connected with childbirth, consumers and professionals. No other book on the market today offers the complete help to cesarean prevention, including VBAC information and support. . . . One of those few books that has the power to change a person's life.”–Justine Clegg, Council for Cesarean Awareness

About the Author

NANCY WAINER COHEN co-founded C/SEC, Inc., the first and now the largest cesarean organization in the country, in 1973 and is a consultant and advisor to the Cesarean Prevention Movement. She is a leading authority on VBAC and has counseled thousands of women on the subject since 1972. Her many articles have dealt with VBAC, cesarean prevention, and positive birthing.

LOIS J. ESTNER, formerly an English teacher, is a VBAC mother, La Leche League leader, and counselor on the topics of breastfeeding, childbirth, and cesarean prevention.

Product Details

• Paperback: 456 pages
• Publisher: Bergin & Garvey Trade; Reprint edition (March 30, 1983)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0897890272
• ISBN-13: 978-0897890274
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 5.9 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (25 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #95,047 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

31 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book might save your (or your baby's) life!, January 2, 2003

By 

"jessafee" (Overland, MO United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Silent Knife: Cesarean Prevention and Vaginal Birth after Cesarean (VBAC) (Paperback)

In my ever-so humble opinion, this is the best book available on the safety of Cesarean surgery (C/s) versus Vaginal Birth After Cesarean (VBAC). It's absolutely chock-full of statistics, painful and victorious anecdotes, witty analogies and wise suggestions for having a better birth through VBAC. It is my bible as I plan a Home Birth After Cesarean (HBAC) with a Direct-Entry Midwife (DEM). It's nearly impossible to find a good book about VBAC that does not employ scare tactics, worship obstetrics or at the very least denounce HBAC as an unsafe option for most women (Believe me, I know- I've read them all!) This book has been extremely useful in helping me to fully explore & express my anger & sadness over my iatrogenic (physician-caused) C/s. It can be a difficult read for C/s survivors, especially those of us who may feel that our surgeries were unnecessary or could have been prevented, but it is well worth the emotional upheaval to get through this book and come out on the other side better informed about the reality of C/s than most OBs. I highly recommend this book to anyone involved in birthing- but especially to pregnant women hoping to avoid a C/s & those who are considering an elective C/s or elective repeat C/s.

23 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Necessity for Birthing Women and the People Who Love Them, May 16, 2003

By 

"kate_the_faere" (NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Silent Knife: Cesarean Prevention and Vaginal Birth after Cesarean (VBAC) (Paperback)

I can see why this book has become the VBAC bible. The authors are brimming with passion and information. Yes, they are angry... and they have every right to be! They meticulously go over studies and statistics; they tell their own stories and the stories of other women who have undergone cesarean section; they address both the physical and mental/emotional/intellectual impacts of cesarean section and vaginal deliveries.. they leave nothing out.

They obviously advocate VBAC, and they should, as it is almost always the safer alternative. They may be telling you something you don't want to hear, but it is something you MUST hear.

They are outspoken, unafraid, and passionate about the safety and health of birthing women everywhere. This book is fabulous.

22 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Should be a Must Read for pregnancy, October 24, 2001

By 

Nicole Lachner (Vancouver BC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Silent Knife: Cesarean Prevention and Vaginal Birth after Cesarean (VBAC) (Paperback)

I got a hold of this book on ebay after a recommendation from other C-section mothers. They were disappointed by their C-section and wanted all the knowledge they could find to help them avoid a repeat section. This book is a teriffic source for parents wanting to birth naturally. It gives perfect reasons for it's anti-medical establishment stance, and lots of encouragement.