Unassisted Homebirth: An Act of Love [Paperback]

Lynn M. Griesemer (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 3, 1998 | ISBN-10: 0966106601 | ISBN-13: 978-0966106602 | Edition: 1

This book is a presentation of unassisted homebirth (childbirth without an obstetrician or midwife) as it relates to psychological growth and development of the couple, the woman and the man. It addresses why people choose to give birth unassisted, why couples should consider unassisted homebirth and why so many are against unassisted homebirth. It shows how planned unassisted birth is safer than in the hospital and almost always joyful.

The book provides a comparison of traditional hospital birth to unassisted homebirth, how couples are brought closer together because of unassisted birth and the profound impact this type of birthing has on fathers.

Unassisted Homebirth: An Act of Love combines research, theory and personal experience. It has several unassisted birth stories after 1990 including: babies born at 36 and 43 weeks gestation, waterbirth, Rh- mother, breech twins, unassisted birth after cesarean (U-BAC), first baby a Do-it-Yourself birth, fourth generation baby born in the same house. The Stories include situations with baby born in amniotic sac, with meconium, and with the cord wrapped tightly around baby s neck. Babies were born to parents ranging from age 21 to 44.

It includes chapters on preparing for an unassisted homebirth, self-actualization, how childbirth is a feminist issue, major deterrents to unassisted homebirth, unassisted birth gone awry (death and disillusion), how to recover/heal from a traumatic birth, home-based living (homebirth, homeschool, working from home), midwives role in the birth process, advocacy.

It presents new ideas such as The Birth Pyramid and the power of silence at birth. Although this book presents unassisted birth as a safe and joyous way to give birth, any pregnant couple, whether they are considering an unassisted homebirth or not, would benefit from the comprehensive childbirth information as a way to improve confidence, knowledge and comfort for a more satisfying birth.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Terra Publishing was established in 1997 to provide resources which support the unassisted homebirth option (childbirth without a doctor or midwife) as well as educational resources for those searching for a more gratifying birth.

From the Author

People need to know the information contained in Unassisted Homebirth: An Act of Love. The mainstream medical presentation of birth does not tell men and women all of the facts and issues that they should know. After two years of research, I found that a majority of unassisted birthers have healthy pregnancies, safer, shorter and more satisfying labors and birth experiences that leave them ecstatic for many years. The secrets revealed in this book will help any couple approaching childbirth.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 376 pages
• Publisher: Terra Publishing (SC); 1 edition (August 3, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0966106601
• ISBN-13: 978-0966106602
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (27 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #113,741 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

31 of 31 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Mother of two, both birthed unassisted.... March 10, 2002

By "artofbirthing"

Format:Paperback

I am profoundly thankful for this book. Although it came out right after the birth of my first child, I got some of the advance copies and immediatly recognized what a valuable resource this was going to be for couples interested in birth.
My husband an I choose to birth our babies peacefully, and safely by ourselves. I am thankful everyday for that desision. As a Childbirth Educator, I hear, of woman being abused and violated in Birth, of babies being hurt and isolated, and I am so sad that more families couldn't have found and read this book. Lynn does an excellant job of shareing the joys of couples homebirth. The incredible attachment that forms in the family when only the family participates in the rite of passage of birth. When the baby only sees his mother and father and feels their loving bare hands, he is welcomed in the way nature intended. God, nature, what ever, did not make latex gloves growing on trees, neither is it designed for us to have strangers at this most important time in the families life.
Lynn does the world a service when she makes this information available to the public. As Suzzanne Arms says, "Only when we change the way we treat eachother at birth, will we be able to change the violence in this world." More people would reap the benifits of a connected, nurturing, caring society if they were to read and implement "Unassisted Homebirth".
This book complete with examples, stories, suggestions, and ideas will be a valuable resource to the family seeking a connected birth and parenting experiece. I applaude Lynns work, as I'm sure It will help to change our cultural beliefs about birth being a dangerous event fraght with pain. She tells quite correctly I might add, that Birth can be perfect, safe, joyful and attainable, when we give birth in the way we were intended, simply with the one person in the world that we concieved with!

43 of 46 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful book! Highly recommended October 25, 1999

By Laura Shanley

Format:Paperback

I must admit, my first thought upon hearing that Lynn Griesemer was writing a book about unassisted birth was, "What more is there to say?" (I had also written a book on the subject). I soon learned there was a lot more to say! Lynn's book is full of interesting insights, tips, observations, suggestions, and stories about this most intimate "act of love." I would highly recommend this book for anyone interested in learning not only how to take their own birth into their hands, but their own life as well.

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars I liked the book and enjoyed reading it... March 29, 2003

By A Customer

Format:Paperback

I have a lot of the same views. Childbirth is a natural function of women's bodies, not a crisis situation to be treated with interventions. I have seen the same situation in my state regarding midwives. I have had the same bad experiences with hospitals and doctors who do not respect women's rights in childbirth. My unassisted homebirth was by far one of the most wonderful things I have ever experienced. It was so different than my hospital births, so much more peaceful. It drew my husband I closer to each other and the Lord and we were able to bond instantly with our child. I did give myself excellent prenatal care before embarking on this journey and had one ultrasound to ensure everything was looking good. This was my 4th birth and lasted only 20 minutes. What a remarkable difference when compared to my hospital births!

The only thing I did not like about the book was that it did not give more information on how to handle the more common problems at birth such as the cord around the neck, meconium, etc. For that, I recommend Spiritual Midwifery and internet research.