Birthing from Within: An Extra-Ordinary Guide to Childbirth Preparation (Paperback)

~ Pam England (Author), Rob Horowitz (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

England, a registered nurse and certified nurse midwife, developed the "birthing from within" approach in a series of birthing classes to help mothers reclaim and celebrate the spiritual, emotional, and psychological aspects of birth as a rite of passage. Her book is a collection of methods that have been used for class participants. England is quick to point out that this "is not a script or a rigid method," and she encourages parents and professionals to use those portions that are helpful. There are numerous exercises and activities to help parents, especially mothers, be in contact with their bodies and feelings. The author recommends throughout that the mother and her healthcare professional work together, giving numerous suggestions for making this a successful partnership. England has done a fair amount of research and does include numerous references; at the same time, she makes it a very personal book. It will appeal especially to patrons interested in alternative birthing methods. For large consumer health/patient education collections. [For another title recommending a more spiritual approach to childbirth, see Ronald L. Cole's The Gentle Greeting, LJ 6/1/98.?Ed.]?Mary J. Jarvis, Methodist Hosp. Medical Lib., Lubbock, T.
-?Mary J. Jarvis, Methodist Hosp. Medical Lib., Lubbock, TX
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

"A truly wonderful book to help women tap their inner resources... a holistic approach full of wisdom and insight..." -- Permaculture Magazine, Spring 2003.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 331 pages
• Publisher: Partera Press; 1st edition (July 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0965987302
• ISBN-13: 978-0965987301
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 6.8 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (139 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #2,927 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

106 of 106 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars THE Book To Prepare For Labor And Delivery, June 6, 2001

By	Kelly "kelly-lcce" (Kennesaw, GA United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

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This is, by far, the best book for preparing a couple for labor and delivery. _Birthing From Within_ takes a completely new approach to childbirth preparation and focuses on what each individual woman and her partner need to do to prepare for THEIR own birth. Following the exercises in this book will help couples work through their "issues" and prepare for the best birth possible for them.

This book contains all the information a couple needs to have regarding labor and delivery, but it also teaches the couple to think for themselves and shows them the way to learn what is truly important for them as individuals. I am extremely grateful to have had this book in preparation for my second birth and wish I'd had it for my first.

The only drawback to this book is that parts of it get a little "new-agey" and may not appeal to a more "mainstream" person; but you can easily disregard anything that's too "out there" for you and still benefit *hugely* from having read the book and used the parts that worked for you.

The chapter on pain coping techniques is particularly phenomenal with some completely new approaches that are extremely good. I especially like the fact that the author is HONEST about the pain of labor [and doesn't imply that it is just "discomfort" and that any woman who has pain with labor is just not "doing it right". ugh!] Having acknowledged that labor IS painful, the author then goes on to give you some amazing ideas on ways to cope with that pain. I wish I could buy a copy of this book for every pregnant couple out there!

111 of 113 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Empowering, January 22, 2005

By	Lisa Pozzi "Mama, Wife, Biz Owner" (Carlsbad, CA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book is certainly biased towards natural birthing, but it is also empowering in the general sense of allowing women to listen to their own gut/voice/inkling/whatever comes from inside. So, if you are considering natural birth (or just want to know more in case), read on.

This book is like a guide, but most of it seems totally foreign (even after reading) if you are in your first pregnancy. How can you REALLY know what its going to feel like to give birth, and try to "read up" on it? You don't. No matter how many books you read, you simply don't know until you go through it.

Having said that, you (and your partner) can learn tools, tactics, and ideas on how to achieve a natural birth by reading this book. One misconception that I had was that I would `remember' all of my feelings, but when you are knee-deep in labor there isn't much time to remember. Your partner, however, can help guide you, and if he or she reads this book too, they will have ideas. When I walked into the hospital I clenched up; I was afraid, and the fear overwhelmed me. It IS painful to give birth, and it IS hard to maintain your own sense of dignity/integrity in a mainstream hospital. In the United States many hospitals follow formula birth = IV, monitor, epidural, controlled pushing, baby. Mention you don't want the IV, and suddenly you are in conflict with the person who is there to take care of you - the nurse. (My husband brought StarBucks Gift cards and they certainly sweetened up our nurses).

Ultimately what I took from this book is not how I could have a natural childbirth, how I could control what happens in a hospital birth, how I could cope with pain, but rather it was how I could embrace the experience, whatever it may be. To me Birthing From Within means really listening to your own story, your own art, your own family and trying to take steps that are best for your baby and yourself. There is no formula. There is no one right way.

Side note: Birthing From Within also has a website with an excellent network of doulas. If your considering natural birth in a hospital, take a moment to consider a birthing doula.

75 of 76 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A different perspective on childbirth, August 22, 1999

By A Customer

I bought this book as I am hoping to have a natural, drug-free birth. So many of the books I read about natural childbirth really seem to "bash" the medical establishment, and end up creating negative or defensive attitudes, or scaring couples into thinking they are going to have to fight the medical staff for everything they want.

This book takes a gentler approach. The authors DO make the point that the medical community has made childbirth more of a convenience for the doctor than the mother, but the book encourages couples, and suggests ways to make the birthing process their own in the midst of all this. It also teaches about the "soul" of pregnancy and birth, which many other books do not go into, by having the parents express their expectations through drawings, journal writing and other creative methods. This book reminds the reader that birth is not just about the baby, it's about the family.

I recommend this book to any expectant mother, no matter what type of birth she intends to have. "Birthing from Within" helps you get in touch with yourself and your expectations, fears, and hopes to allow you to make the birth of your child a very personal and soulful experience.