Unassisted Homebirth: An Act of Love (Paperback)

by Lynn M. Griesemer (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

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.

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.

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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 (24 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #275,790 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

34 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

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

By	Laura Shanley "Unassisted childbirth advocate" (Boulder, CO USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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.

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

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

By	"artofbirthing" (Bordentown, New Jersey, USA) - See all my reviews

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!

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Unassisted Homebirth is an excellent resource., December 29, 1998

By	Annmarie G. Klyzub Kalmar, Doula, editor of S... (Racine, WI) - See all my reviews

Lynn Griesemer's Unassisted Homebirth: An Act of Love is a good resource for anyone determined to have a DIY birth (Do-it-Yourself birth). Additionally, labor support doulas, childbirth educators, and midwives can find useful information between the covers. While, of course, Griesemer's position is pro-homebirth, she fairly and consistently advises readers why they may not be candidates for unassisted homebirth. However, even though she discusses both sides, the book is clearly written for those who have already decided to give birth at home without a midwife or medical caregiver present. Griesemer makes some excellent points about the values of unassisted homebirth: empowerment, woman- and partner-centered (husband-centered) birth, and the effectiveness of labor support. The author also provides a few pages on labor doulas. She explains that some DIYs prefer to have someone other than their partner for support in attendance. In her view, the most logical choice would be a labor doula. Griesemer makes a good case for labor doulas pointing out how effective they are in reducing length of labor. I especially enjoyed the questions and answers throughout the book. Griesemer sent out questionnaires to families that experienced unassisted homebirths. Their answers ranged from the practical to the metaphysical-both of which are quite enlightening. My favorite section of this book appealed to my romantic side and I feel it is noteworthy. Griesemer's strongest reason for affirming and promoting homebirths is one of unity and love. She states, "Both partners conceived the child together and it seems logical they should both embrace the birth, the beginning of their parenting journey together. Traditional birth experiences pull a couple apart rather than strengthen their unity." Birth and sex are intimate experiences, both with similarities. Griesemer asks, if sex is intimate and private, shouldn't birth be?