Water Birth: A Midwife's Perspective [Paperback]

Susanna Napierala (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0897892852 | ISBN-13: 978-0897892858 | Publication Date: September 30, 1994

Giving birth is one of life's most enriching, yet emotionally and physiologically stressful experiences. Faced with the dehumanizing mandates of the medical establishment, women increasingly seek alternatives to hospital birth. In her carefully presented book, Susanna Napierala, midwife to more than 600 births over 18 years, suggests that giving birth in water offers mother and infant the ideal circumstances for beginning their lives together. Recognizing that this birthing approach is not yet widely practiced in the United States, Napierala readily acknowledges the commonly-asked questions: How does the baby breathe underwater? What about complications or infections? What specifically makes water birth a viable choice, and for whom? How do a couple and their chosen midwife prepare for water birth? Avoiding ideological didactics, the author cautions that, regardless of a couple's expectations of the birth experience, every pregnancy's priority should be a healthy mother and baby. As she details aspects of parental and midwife preparation, labor, and birth, Napierala counsels vigilance, noting possible difficulties and danger signals that must be heeded. For midwives, their assistants, pregnant women and their families considering birth options, Water Birth offers a wealth of solid information, personal testimony, and guidance for those who make this choice.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Childbirth underwater, or water birth, recently gained widespread acceptance throughout the world, although early proponents in the Soviet Union began experimenting with the process in the 1960s. Napierala, a midwife experienced at attending both home and water births, covers in some detail the origins of labor and delivery underwater, the benefits that submersion provides mother and infant, its advantages in comparison with other birthing options, and prenatal preparations for childbirth in general and water birth in particular. She also advises on such matters as construction and maintenance of a water tank, first- and second-stage labor in water--including complications and contraindications--and postpartum recovery. Her final chapter presents birth stories, and she inserts accounts of her own experiences throughout the text. Her serious, empathic tone suits the contents, helping make the book a readable REVIEWof a viable but not widely understood alternative to traditional in-hospital childbirth. Kathryn Carpenter

Review

“At last! A water birth book by a midwife!”–Michel Odent, M.D. Author of The Nature of Birth and Breastfeeding

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Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Bergin & Garvey Trade (September 30, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0897892852
• ISBN-13: 978-0897892858
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #351,405 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

39 of 39 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book will sell you on the gentlest birth possible., October 14, 1998

By 

Jen McBrian - See all my reviews

This review is from: Water Birth: A Midwife's Perspective (Paperback)

I had heard of and was considering a water birth for my first pregnancy. After reading Napierala's book I wonder why waterbirths are not everyone's choice. Now it seems a "no brainer." She gives wonderful detail on options, methods and benefits of waterbirths. She paints the picture of waterbirth as spiritual and gentle; the way a birth should be. Also included are moving birth stories. Plus a "how to build a tank" chapter for midwives. Excellent resource to show skeptical grandparents as well!

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Worthwhile investment, September 7, 2003

By 

J. Matteis "sweethunnybee" (San Diego, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Water Birth: A Midwife's Perspective (Paperback)

I became interested in water birth because I have back problems, and the only way I've been able to have a normal range of motion has been in the water. Being in the pool takes the pressure of gravity from the baby off my back, and warm water relaxes my stiff muscles. Water Birth gave me tons of detailed info, and thoroughly explained advice on the complete water birth process: the history behind it, how to make a tank, what problems may come up, and laboring in the water. The book isn't just a bunch of fluff that you could've just found by doing a net search. Yet it does contain beautiful stories that really draw you into the sacred experience while reading, which makes it interesting as well as informative. I bought this book in combination with Active Birth (revised edition). While Water Birth does outline some different positions a woman can try to help her labor progress, Active Birth focuses on this 10 times more, and has better diagrams to show what's happening inside a woman when she's going through the different stages of labor and pushing the baby out. I really needed these extra anatomical diagrams, lengthy explanations, and numerous positions so I could see how different positions would affect my spine. If you have a back problem as well, I'd suggest buying these two books, as they've complimented one another for me.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A very pleasing book, December 29, 2000

By 

quildahowaloochicoochiwangahoochimongaboyaha - See all my reviews

This review is from: Water Birth: A Midwife's Perspective (Paperback)

Read this book after attending my sister's water birth (which was amazing). This books sums it up quite well. It is detailed and realistic (not all births can be via water), and dispells the fear of water birth. How can water not be considered natural? A very good read if you are considering a water birth (which we are).