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

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

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

Product Description
"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

See all Editorial Reviews

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: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #394,973 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must Read For EVERY Pregnant Woman - Not For VBAC's Only, February 29, 2000

By	Maria Lynch (New Jersey United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Silent Knife has so much to offer every pregnant woman not only those wanting VBAC. It contains a lot of information that is useful to every pregnant woman especially first time mothers. Reading this book will give you the confidence to insist and instill in your OB that you know what is best and what is not for you and your baby. From conception to birth, it will help you to prioritize what is important to you and your birth experience - from having siblings present at the birth to refusing "routine" procedures such as no food or drink during labor and mandatory IV's. It's a great wake up call to all women that they have the right to choose the birth they want. Don't let the title fool you. It's not for VBACs only.

18 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars don't be afraid to read this book, March 30, 2001

By A Customer

In reading the other reviews for this book, it is obvious that the content of Silent Knife can be polarizing. There are some who will find the tone too strident and the message too extreme. I happened to read this book and Open Season about 6 weeks before I delivered my second child. It cause me to do a 180 degree turn - fire my MD and switch to a midwife delivery. Six years later, I can say that this was one of the best decisions I have ever made!! My daughter's birth experience was so positive and the strength I gain from the experience nourishes me daily.

21 of 24 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

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.