Active Birth : The New Approach to Giving Birth Naturally, Revised Edition (Hardcover)

~ (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review

Active Birth contains a wealth of information for pregnancy, childbirth, and the postnatal period. -- Midwest Book Review

Clearly written, carefully documented, and copiously illustrated, this new edition celebrates the inherent wisdom on womens birthing instincts. It also serves up a complete course of preparation to guide those of us who need to be reminded just how natural childbirth can be. -- Adrienne Lieberman, author of Giving Birth and Easing Labor Pain

Janet Balaskas captures the psychological essence of giving birth and the spirit of active participation so important to a womans self-esteem during pregnancy and delivery. -- Gayle Peterson, Ph.D., author of Birthing Normallyand An Easier Childbirth

Product Description

In London in the 1970s, Janet Balaskas led a movement of women who refused to give birth lying down. She has been teaching women about active birth ever since. In this updated and Americanized guide, Balaskas explains how to prepare for and experience a truly natural childbirth. She leads the pregnant woman through yoga-based stretching exercises and massage practice, and describes the stages of labor and comfortable positions for each, at home or in a hospital. Balaskas even devotes a chapter to water birth. Postpartum exercises are also included.

A comprehensive guide to childbirth preparation, Active Birth includes notes specifically for fathers and birth attendants. For both childbearing couples and childbirth professionals, Active Birth offers important lessons in just how natural birth can be.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 275 pages
• Publisher: Harvard Common Press; Revised edition (March 25, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1558320377
• ISBN-13: 978-1558320376
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.3 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (47 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,688,454 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

49 of 49 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Must-Have for Natural Childbirth Preparation, January 5, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Active Birth : The New Approach to Giving Birth Naturally, Revised Edition (Paperback)

Of all the many books I read when preparing for the birth of my first child, this was my favorite. I used the exercises every night and they made a real difference in the ease of my 6 hour delivery. The focus is on physical preparation for labor through easy yoga postures, along with deep breathing and relaxation. The exercises are presented in an easy-to-use sequence, with clear pictures. The remaining text covers issues of pregnancy and birth with a focus on the the physicality of the entire process, espousing the importance of being ACTIVE throughout the process of labor (the antithesis of the traditional medical practice in which women are encouraged to labor from a supine position, despite the fact that this position is the hardest for both mother and baby and does not take advantage of the way our anatomy is designed to work.) The author encourages women to follow our bodies' instincts to discover the best way to move through labor, and illustrates the many different positions and postures that women have found to be comfortable to adopt and that help facilitate labor. The exercises prepare the reader to be comfortable in the positions she may choose in labor, strengthening the muscles involved in squatting, pushing, etc. It includes good information on home birth and waterbirth. It is a succinct and very empowering book. I recommend it to all mothers-to-be and their loved ones.

43 of 43 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Essential Book for Pregnancy and Birth, June 21, 2003

By	"kate_the_faere" (NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Active Birth : The New Approach to Giving Birth Naturally, Revised Edition (Paperback)

If I could recommend one book for my clients (I'm a doula), it would be this one. For most of us in the field, the information isn't new (upright positions are best; being able to center yourself and relax are extremely important; moving around is a vital coping mechanism..), but for many pregnant women and their partners, this information will be new and invaluable. The yoga exercises are practical and simple, and I found the how-to section for partners (for the "dangling" positions) fabulous... a lot of other books suggest a supported squat, but they don't tell the partner HOW to support the squat safely.. this book does. It is also very confidence-inspiring, realistic, and affirming. If you are pregnant, BUY THIS BOOK! It may change your whole outlook and perception of pregnancy and childbirth. It ought to be required reading!

35 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars one of the BEST books available if you want a natural birth., April 18, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Active Birth : The New Approach to Giving Birth Naturally, Revised Edition (Paperback)

I am a childbirth educator and birth attendant living in Australia.I have been helping moms and their partners for nearly 20 years to be informed and confident in their native capacity to give birth normally, without all the unecessary medical intervention that is unfortunately occuring these days.There are heaps of books on birth to buy ,but still I am convinced that if a pregnant mother can only get ONE book-get this one.It is informative and very empowering and the photos in the new edition are fine and the prenatal exercises are great. The chapter on labour is good for dads to read too.It is a book for folks who would prefer a natural birth and the author is well aware of the consequences of routine medical interventions. Working as a midwife I see what goes on when women are not fully informed when they make choices about birth (more complications, more epidurals and alot more fear.)Read this book to see what options there really are available for birthing women. THEN make your choices(of birth place and caregiver).There are some other really good books around too. I am in the process of creating a website and will include these titles too, as well as info on relaxation tapes I have created for pregnant women. Meanwhile, please know that Janet Balaskas has great passion and integrity in her work to teach and empower birthing women. Any of her books are great.I have worked and trained with many people but the time I spent in UK with Janet so many years ago continues to inform my work now, and I continue to recieve fantastic feedback from the moms, dads, partners and midwives who I now teach and work with in Australia.If you are pregnant and wanting to hear and develope a positive attitude about birth (rather than the scary portrayal on popular media),you need to buy the right books and talk to the right people. Find an independent midwife in your area and have a chat. Talk to women who have a positive attitude about their birth experiences. Read this book and practice relaxation skills for birth and beyond.I hope this little book review and these suggestions are helpful.Giving birth is one of the most amazing experiences in a woman's life - a real gift..Enjoy the passion and the challenge and the opportunity to grow.