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Recommended Books and Videos

  • Heart and Hands by Elizabeth Davis. Though subtitled A Midwife's Guide to Pregnancy and Birth, it is not just for midwives. It's an excellent and thorough resource for parents-to-be who are thinking about delivering their child with a midwife, or who are concerned about the medical establishment's over-control of birth.  

    This all-new fourth edition has been revised from start to finish, featuring updated material that emphasizes independent midwifery, physiologic (natural) birth, and the art of nonintervention. Midwifery expert Elizabeth Davis includes valuable hints for turning breech and posterior babies, mediating pain in labor, and supporting newborn physiology. Davis also reveals the keys to postpartum recovery, with practical tips on breastfeeding for busy mothers. Comprehensive and compassionate, HEART & HANDS remains a dog-eared classic for parents, midwives, and other birthing helpers.
  • Journey Into Motherhood: Inspirational Stories of Natural Birth by Sheri Menelli.  This book is a  compilation of wonderful natural birth stories.  Each story is written by a mother in her own voice and concludes with A Mother's Guidance and Additional Thoughts sections giving additional tips and advice to help you arm yourself with the support and guidance you need to have a natural birth.

    Many stories are so touching they made me cry, but the practical tips and experiences of those that have gone before are priceless. Having a natural birth is not for everyone, but the fact that we hardly ever hear an inspiring natural birth story fills the whole process with fear for many first time mothers. If we can just trade that fear for education and preparedness I believe many more women would opt for a more natural birth experience. Menelli has provided women with a book that is both educational and inspirational. By reading these stories while preparing for birth, mothers can feel empowered by their decisions and know that others have gone before them and had a beautiful, natural birth.
  • So That's What They're For! by Janet Tamaro.  From bestselling author Janet Tamaro comes the third edition of So That's What They're For! For years, moms have relied on this staple book-now infused with new sections, including breastfeeding multiples and monitoring nutrition, and featuring completely revised and updated resource materials. Reflecting the latest in breastfeeding research, and packed with humorous anecdotes, this book proves (again) that breastfeeding advice does not have to be boring!
  • The Birth Partner by Penny Simkin, PT.  The role of birth partner is a tough one. A birth partner may be expected to help a laboring woman make decisions and help her get through the pain and discomfort of childbirth. During this high-intensity time, the birth partner--whether father, partner, or friend--needs a book that can give thorough information for studying ahead of time, yet can be easily referenced in an emergency or for quick answers during labor and delivery. The Birth Partner fills both needs.
  • Pregnancy, Childbirth and the Newborn by Penny Simkin, Janet Whalley, and Ann Keppler.  This book covers all aspects of childbearing from conception through early infancy. It includes information on what to expect during pregnancy and birth and how you can work with your caregivers to make childbirth a happy and healthy experience.  
  • When Survivors Give Birth by Penny Simkin.  When Survivors Give Birth is written for a mixed audience of maternity care professionals and para-professionals, mental health therapists and counselors, and women survivors and their families. The authors expertly and compassionately address the unusual and distressing challenges that arise for abuse survivors during the childbirth experience. 
    The first section informs the reader of the impact of early sexual abuse on children, adults, and on all aspects of childbearing. The second section teaches skills in communication, self-help skills, counseling and psychotherapy techniques. The third covers clinical challenges and solutions for doctors, nurses, midwives, doulas, and others. Case histories throughout the book clarify and apply the content.
  • Baby Catcher by Peggy Vincent.  In a joyous, often hilarious ode to the Birkenstock-scuffling, tackle box-toting mobile midwives who flourished in the 1980s, Peggy Vincent chronicles her abundant life as a professional Baby Catcher. The wild ride begins during her nurse training years in the 1960s, when laboring women were expected to lie down, shut up, and submit to whatever drugs and procedures the doctor ordered. A rebellious patient who chants and dances through her contractions--and the hell that ensues when seasoned hospital staffers intrude--lights a permanent fire under Vincent. Her resolve to serve each laboring woman with compassion and respect carries her from obstetrics nurse to head of an alternative birth center within Alta Bates Hospital in Berkeley, California, and eventually into her own private practice as a licensed midwife. Like the most courageous home births, this collection of delivery experiences refuses anesthesia: plenty of bellowing, sweating, bleeding, and pushing accompany nearly all of the more than 40 tales. Tough confrontations with stubborn physicians, panicky labor partners, and one particularly nasty calico cat are dabbed with as many keen insights as Vincent's quieter, more heart-rending newborn encounters. Baby Catcher is an inspirational literary gift suitable for expectant mothers, fellow baby catchers, and anyone who loves reading about nature's greatest magical feat.  
  • Home Births: Stories to Inspire And Inform by Abigail Cairns
    This collection of first-hand recollections by mothers and their partners gives an insight into the modern experience of home birth, from the first decision to the final push.

    As well as exploding some common misconceptions about who chooses home birth and why, the book provides real life, down-to-earth descriptions of the experience from the point of view of the people most closely involved. The book will hold particular interest for men, as more than a quarter of the contributions have been provided by fathers.

    Anyone reading these vivid, intimate, and emotional accounts will understand why so many of those who choose home birth become passionate advocates of parental choice and non-medical childbirth. As one contributor comments with satisfaction, "Two hours after the birth we were left alone at home: the three of us, a bottle of bubbly and the cat."

  • The Home Birth Advantage by Mayer Eisenstein.  This book challenges America's traditional hospital based birth system, the system which has placed the United States at the bottom of the list of industrialized nations with regard to healthy babies and healthy mothers. Dr. Eisenstein explains that birth, for the majority of women, may even be safer without the routine hospital procedures: electronic fetal monitoring, episiotomy, IV's, epidurals, etc.  
  • Naturally Healthy Pregnancy by Shonda Parker.  This book answers all the questions about nutritional and herbal medicine for optimum health during pregnancy. Beginning with God's design for health and nutrition, the following is covered in detail: how to eat for a healthy baby, which herbs are safe and which are dangerous during pregnancy, and the best ways to minimize those times of nausea and discomfort. Shonda Parker provides information to guide the pregnant mom and her baby to good health with a balanced approach to herbal and traditional medicine.
    A broad range of information and research, coupled with years of experience has emerged to create this health and nutrition book that encompasses far more than the health needs of present and future pregnant women. The author's warm, personal style, combined with an educational powerhouse of information makes The Naturally Healthy Pregnancy essential to a healthful, joy-filled pregnancy. A treasured gift!
  • Supernatural Childbirth by Jackie Mize.  Pregnancy and childbirth are often depicted as a time of sickness and mood swings for women followed by twelve to twenty hours of pain and hard labor. Many women have been told they can never conceive. Others have suffered the pain of conceiving and miscarrying. Have you had enough of this picture?
    Supernatural Childbirth is a practical and realistic look at God's promises for conception, pregnancy and delivery. This is not "pie-in-the-sky"-This is a personal testimony of how one couple overcame defeat and triumphed in God's plan! Jackie Mize had been told she could never have children. However, by unlocking powerful truths and dynamic faith principles she and her husband, Terry found in the Bible, they now have four miracle children! This exciting book shares with you truths and faith principles.
  • Christ Centered Childbirth by Kelly J. Townsend.  The author of this book does a phenomenal job capturing and explaining the essence of Christian childbirth, in a manner useful and relevant to life in today's society. The concept of Christian childbirth infuses the message of Romans 12:2 into a world where childbirth has been culturally twisted from the blessed miracle of life into a medical event tainted by fear and distrust. Parents are called to renew their minds through God's word, restoring faith in the process created by God to bring forth new life. While fostering both medically and scripturally informed decision-making, the book guides the reader through the creation of a new family, from trusting God's will before conception, to prenatal communication and pregnancy stewardship, to the labor process and the physiological effects fear has upon it. It also provides the expectant couple with extensive practical information and scriptural encouragement for labor.
    This is a vital guide for bringing spirituality back into birth and reinstating the wonder of its divine design. With a sensitivity rarely seen elsewhere, attention is given to such important topics as a father's valuable presence at the birth, and the profound effects of caregivers' attitudes and postpartum depression upon the well being of a new family. With the helpful addition of resources such as Bible study guides, beautiful birth testimonies, an explanation of salvation, and even her own faith statement, author Kelly Townsend addresses all the essentials!
  • Special Delivery by Rahima Baldwin.  For parents-to-be who are considering home birth, Special Delivery is an excellent resource. Written by midwife Rahima Baldwin Dancy in the '70s and updated in 1986, this book covers the benefits of home births; gives details on how to have a home birth, including pregnancy preparations; and coaches participants on specific ways they can help the mother. The easy-to-comprehend-in-the-middle-of-a-crisis details on what can go wrong, what to do, and when to bring the mother to the hospital are outstanding. The flavor and photographs of Special Delivery are a bit outdated, but the information is still vital and very helpful.
  • A Child Is Born by Lennart Nilsson.  In this latest edition of a classic originally published almost 40 years ago, photographer Nilsson and obstetrician Hamberger explore the miracle of birth, from attraction between a man and a woman to fertilization, pregnancy, labor and delivery; they also discuss infertility and developments in IVF and other treatments. Over 350 new photographs have been added to the fourth edition, including in utero pictures captured with endoscopy and three-dimensional ultrasound technology. Nilsson zooms in on sperm racing towards the egg, the brand-new zygote, the embryo clinging to the lining of the uterus, a tadpole-like fetus and the remarkably developed ear of a 18-week old fetus, among other moments in the process of human reproduction. With Hamberger's updated text on guidance for new parents, progress in fertility treatments, genetics and pregnancy health, the volume should continue to be a vivid reference for the whole family.
    Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.  
  • Ina May's Guide to Childbirth by Ina May Gaskin.  Founding member and former president of the Midwives Alliance of North America and author of Spiritual Midwifery, Gaskin offers encouragement and practical advice in her upbeat and informative book on natural childbirth. Since the mid-1970s, Gaskin and the midwives in her practice on a Summertown, Tenn., commune known as "The Farm," have attended over 2,200 natural births. Gaskin, who learned the rudiments of her gentle birthing technique from the Mayans in Guatemala, has helped bring attention to the method's remarkably low rate of morbidity and medical intervention. Couples considering natural childbirth will get inspirational coaxing from more than a dozen first-person narratives shared by the author's clients. Gaskin decries what she sees as Western medicine's focus on pain during birth, arguing that natural birthing can not only be euphoric and blissful but also orgasmic (a survey of 150 natural birthing women "found thirty-two who reported experiencing at least one orgasmic birth"). The second half of Gaskin's book deals with the practical side of natural birthing, including how to avoid standard medical interventions such as epidurals, episiotomies and even prenatal amniocentesis that may be unnecessary, even dangerous, to mother or child. While this may not be the definitive guide to natural childbirth, it is a comfortable and supportive read for women who want to trust their bodies to do what comes naturally.
    Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.  
  • Spiritual Midwifery by Ina May Gaskin.  This classic book on home birth is now in it's 4th edition. Includes updated information on the safety of natural childbirth, new birthing stories, and the most recent statistics on births managed by The Farm Midwives. Also presents stories of working with Amish women, showing a different culture with a similar appreciation for natural childbirth.

    About the Author
    Ina May is one of the founders and the current president of the Midwives Alliance of North America. She is a powerful advocate for a woman’s right to give birth without excessive and unnecessary medical intervention. Her clinical midwifery skills have been developed entirely through independent study and apprenticeship with other midwives around the world. In addition to conducting regular midwifery workshops, she travels worldwide speaking on birth related issues.  
  • Obstetrical Myths Versus Research Realities by Henci Goer.  "Unencumbered by the burden of conventional obstetrical thinking, Ms. Goer takes a fresh look at current customs in maternity care. Using logic, common sense, and the latest scientific findings, she has written an incisive critique, inspiring us all--physicians, midwives, childbirth educators, nurses, doulas, and expectant parents--to rethink and question routine care as it exists today. This is "must" reading for all who participate in maternity care." - Penny Simkin, P.T., Childbirth Educator, Doula co-author, Pregnancy, Childbirth and the Newborn and author, The Birth Partner

    "Maternity care as we know it is based on myths that are hammered home as truths. This book offers the chance to break free from that pessimistic model and embrace one of genuine health care. Ms. Goer teaches you how to understand the medical/obstetric literature . . . She also shows through the literature how midwifery and out-of-hospital birth are scientifically valid and more likely to result in a healthy mother and baby." - Roberta M. Scaer, M.S.S. Co-author, A Good Birth, A Safe Birth  
  • The Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth by Henci Goer. 
    "With the help of this book, any intelligent person can obtain the information necessary to make informed choices. This unique book will provide the tools and confidence to have the best possible birth experience."  - Don Creevy, M.D., FACOG obstetrician-gynecologist Clinical Assistant Professor, Stanford University Medical School

    "In Henci Goer, thinking women have a champion, and maternity caregivers have a challenger. Henci has applied her impressive intellect, wisdom, writing skills, common sense, and wit to produce *The Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth*. She analyzes and makes sense of a prodigious amount of recent obstetric research, boils it down, and summarizes its findings. And, on the basis of these findings, she makes practical recommendations for better births. Not one to pull the wool over anyone's eyes, Henci lets the reader in on her whole thinking process, providing scientific references, summaries of the articles, and logical recommendations--all in a highly readable, user-friendly format." - Penny Simkin, P.T. internationally known speaker, birth educator, doula, doula-trainer co-author of *Pregnancy, Childbirth, and the Newborn* and author of *The Birth Partner*  
  • Active Birth by Janet Balaskas.  In an active birth, a mother moves about freely, finds comfortable positions for labor and delivery, and seldom needs drugs or obstetrical interventions. In Active Birth, Janet Balaskas teaches mothers to develop all of their bodily resources for giving birth, to follow their own instincts, and to take full control of their childbirth experience. Active Birth includes: Fully-illustrated exercise for a comfortable, energetic pregnancy, Massage for pregnancy and labor, Ways to create the ideal setting for an active birth in the hospital or at home, Positions for labor and birth, for maximum comfort and efficient contractions, The latest information about water birth, and how to plan one, Exercises for recovery and relaxation after birth, Helpful tips for partners and birth attendants.

    Active Birth will inspire and instruct those who want to give birth through their own efforts by following their own instincts. -Penny Simkin, author of Pregnancy, Childbirth, and the Newborn

    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 Normally and An Easier Childbirth
  • Gentle Birth Choices by Barbara Harper.  Believe it or not, birth resulting from a normal pregnancy needn't take place in a hospital. Harper explains why birthing centers and home births, along with other "gentle birth choices," are beneficial to both mother and baby. Gentle Birth Choices also features a history of how childbirth came to be so technological and blasts myths such as why fetal monitors save babies (they don't, very often). Harper also discusses giving birth in water and explores the connection of mind and body during labor and birth. She stresses the importance of midwives for a more natural and satisfying experience. Well illustrated with photos by acclaimed birth photographer Suzanne Arms and containing a first-rate resource section, Gentle Birth Choices provides an excellent alternative to mainstream birth books. Jo Peer-Haas
  • Water Birth by Susanna Napierala.  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 REVIEW of a viable but not widely understood alternative to traditional in-hospital childbirth.  - Kathryn Carpenter
  • Birthing from Within by Pam England, CNM and Rob Horowitz, PhD.  Here is a holistic approach to childbirth that examines this profound rite-of-passage, not as a medical event, but as an act of self-discovery. Exercises and activities such as journal writing, meditation, and painting will help mothers analyze their thoughts and face their fears during pregnancy. For use during birth, the book offers proven techniques for coping with labor pain without drugs, a discussion of the doctor or midwife’s role, and a look at the father’s responsibilities. Childbirth education should also include what do expect after the baby is born. Here are baby basics, such as how to bathe a newborn, how to get the little one to sleep, and tips for getting nursing off to a good start. Pregnancy, birth, and postpartum is a process of continuous learning and adjustment; Birthing From Within provides the necessary support and education to make each phase of birthing a rewarding experience.
  • Adventures in Natural Childbirth by Pam England and Janet Schwegel.  Over the last few years, more and more women have been resisting the allure of “labor-free” elective C-sections in favor of the benefits of natural childbirth. Not only is it widely considered the best and safest way to deliver a child, natural childbirth empowers women by reinforcing their belief in themselves and their abilities. In Adventures in Natural Childbirth, editor Janet Schwegel taps into this growing movement with a fascinating collection of personal, engaging, and revealing stories from thirty-nine women on their journey through pregnancy, labor, and natural childbirth. These women’s tales capture the full range of emotions and physical sensations natural childbirth can evoke—from calm to fear, from elation to pain, and everything in between—and give readers a true sense of the joys and the hardships involved. Divided into sections by caregiver (midwife, doula, physician, or unattended) and complete with essays from practitioners on their roles in natural birth and how they help women achieve their goals, Adventures in Natural Childbirth is essential reading for any woman who is considering—or is simply curious about—giving birth naturally. 
  • Magical Beginnings, Enchanted Lives by Deepak Chopra.  A much-needed antidote to our modern, assembly-line approach to childbirth, this new book is designed as a guide for all who wish to participate in the wondrous process of bringing new life into the world. Its ideas derive from two sources: the ancient wisdom of Ayurveda, with its emphasis on body, mind, and spirit, and the latest Western scientific prenatal research. By integrating the best information from these two very different perspectives, this remarkable book gives readers the tools to ensure that our children are nourished by thoughts, words, and actions from the very moment of conception.

    Magical Beginnings, Enchanted Lives is rich in practical information, including strategies to help enliven the body intelligence of unborn babies by nourishing each of their five senses, as well as through Ayurvedically balanced nutrition and eating with awareness. Specific yoga poses and meditation techniques reduce the mother’s stress and improve the infant’s emotional environment, as do tips for conscious communication with a partner. Exercises prepare parents for the experience of childbirth itself, followed by natural approaches to dealing with the first weeks of parenting, from healing herbs to enhancing your milk supply to coping with postpartum depression. 
  • The Complete Organic Pregnancy by Deirdre Dolan.  While being pregnant is thrilling, the responsibility of a growing baby can provoke anxiety about what is and isn't safe. In The Complete Organic Pregnancy, Deirdre Dolan and Alexandra Zissu address how you can minimize your exposure to the invisible toxins that surround us—in everything from food, cleaning products, and cosmetics to furniture, rugs, air, and water. Step by step, they tell you where dangerous chemicals are lurking, why it's so important to avoid them when pregnant, and what you can do before, during, and after your pregnancy to protect your child. 
    In this exhaustively researched book, the authors (calmly) talk parents-to-be through everything from the safest laundry detergent to which crib mattresses contain toxic flame retardants. You'll find out how to choose the right face cream, plastic water bottles, household cleaners, types of fish, and much more—all with an eye toward keeping you and your baby safe and healthy. 
    The Complete Organic Pregnancy also features a collection of personal diaries from well-known writers and organophiles, including Barbara Kingsolver and Marion Nestle, as well as recipes from organic chefs. Required reading for anyone heading into this exciting stage of life, The Complete Organic Pregnancy is your chance to make a difference for your children, even before they're born.
  • The Baby Book by William and Martha Sears.  In their excellent (and hefty) resource guide, The Baby Book, attachment parenting specialists William Sears and Martha Sears have provided new parents with their approach to every aspect of baby care basics, from newborns to toddlers. Attachment parenting is a gentle, reasonable approach to parenting that stresses bonding with your baby, responding to her cues, breastfeeding, "wearing" your baby, and sharing sleep with your child. For those parents who worry about negative effects of this attention, the Sears say, "Spoiling is what happens when you leave something (or some person) alone on the shelf--it spoils." 
  • The Birth Book by William and Martha Sears.  In The Birth Book: Everything You Need to Know to Have a Safe and Satisfying Birth, William and Martha Sears, authors of The Baby Book and creators of the concept of "attachment parenting," here turn their attention to the birth experience. In this helpful resource guide, the Sears cover the gamut of possibilities, and teach readers what they need to know to take control of their own births. The Birth Book is divided into three parts: "Preparing for Birth," "Easing Pain in Labor," and "Experiencing Birth." You'll find details about vaginal births; cesareans; VBACs; water births; home births; best birthing positions; drugs; pain; how to design your own birth plan; the humor, chemistry, and sexuality of birth; and pages and pages of birth stories.
  • The Complete Book of Christian Parenting & Child Care by William and Martha Sears.  This book is simply fantastic! The authors provide a very Bible-based and scripturally backed method of childrearing. We found this book absolutely indispensible as Christian parents.
    The authors encourage parents to work with the nature of the baby/child God gave them [which only makes sense - God created babies the way they are for very good reasons!]. I felt very comfortable using their parenting and child care recommendations and I truly found their ideas in harmony with my faith. We feel that using the suggestions in this book has helped us to become the parents that God wants us to be [well, on our good days at least! :) ]. We are also very pleased with the way our children are turning out. - Kelly
  • The Pregnancy Book by William and Martha Sears.  The Pregnancy Book is an excellent all-in-one guide to pregnancy from William and Martha Sears, creators of the concept of "attachment parenting." Each of the book's chapters represents a month, and deals with physical and emotional changes, describes the growth of the fetus, and discusses common concerns. The authors also focus on nutrition, exercise, information and support for home births and birthing centers, traveling while pregnant, how to avoid episiotomy, and so on. The approach is gentle, thorough, and includes more information than some month-by-month guides, which makes The Pregnancy Book an excellent choice for pregnant couples.
  • The Attachment Parenting Book by William and Martha Sears.  Is it OK to sleep with your newborn baby? How old is too old for breastfeeding? These questions and more are answered in this latest addition to the Sears Parenting Library. Attachment Parenting encourages early, strong, and sustained attention to the new babies needs and this book outlines the steps that will create the most lasting bonds between parents and their children. Practical and inspirational, this book, the heart of the Sears parenting creed, is a necessity for every new parents' bookshelf. William Sears, M.D., and Martha Sears, R.N., are widely regarded as North Americas foremost baby and childcare experts and have had success with their previous 16 books addressing parenting issues. William Sears, M.D., is a contributing editor to Parenting and Baby Talk magazines, as well as the parenting.com web site. The most-frequently asked parenting questions from this site have now been compiled into four easy-to-read FAQ books: The First Three Months, How To Get Your Baby to Sleep, Feeding the Picky Eater, and Keeping Your Baby Healthy.
  • The Family Nutrition Book by William and Martha Sears.  Organic or regular baby food? White or wheat bread? Yogurt or ice cream? Parents often wonder how best to feed their families, but the wondering is over with The Family Nutrition Book: Everything You Need to Know About Feeding Your Children--From Birth Through Adolescence. The beloved William Sears and his wife, Martha (a nurse), teach you how to become your own family nutritionist. Parents of eight children and well-known authors of more than a dozen childcare books, the Sears offer the solid advice on breastfeeding, beginning solids, and feeding picky eaters you'd expect. But more than that, they provide a crash course in overall nutrition. You'll learn how the body works, how to read food labels, what ingredients to look for (and which to avoid), how to trim fat from your diet, what makes up a balanced diet (not just the "food pyramid"), which foods are thought to prevent cancer, and more. The Searses also offer helpful food lists: good fats, best proteins, top 10 complex carbohydrates, and top 12 family foods, to name a few. You'll even get favorite Sears family recipes to help you get started on the road to healthy eating. It's all here, and it's all mixed with a healthy dose of passion for eating well. So you can show your children--by example--how to stay healthy and feel great. --Kelley Smith  
  • How to Raise a Healthy Child in Spite of Your Doctor by Robert Mendlsohn.  Dr. Robert Mendelsohn, renowned pediatrician and author advises parents on home treatment and diagnosis of colds and flus, childhood illnesses, vision and hearing problems, allergies, and more. PLUS, a complete section on picking the right doctor for your child, step-by-step instructions for knowing when to call a doctor, and much more 
  • Confessions of a Medical Heretic by Robert Mendelsohn.  With alternative medicine and treatments gaining popularity, many are writing off the medical profession as a whole, opting for naturopathic and homeopathic treatments instead of the standard "treat it with a pill" mentality that the medical profession thrives off of. For these people, Dr. Mendelsohn's "Confessions of a Medical Heretic" is a must read.  
  • Listening to Your Baby by Dr. Jay Gordon.  This book gives new parents the information they need to make their newborn's transition from the womb to the world as painless and stress-free as possible. He gives them free rein to center their lives around their newborn baby and build a secure bond that will foster health and happiness in the future-with advice on:

    * Parenting during pregnancy
    * Breastfeeding
    * Sleeping
    * Switching to solid foods
    * Immunizations
    * Milestones in development

    Plus: a concise, accessible reference to everything from infant acne to umbilical cord care.
  • The No-Cry Sleep Solution by Elizabeth Pantley.  There are two schools of thought for encouraging babies to sleep through the night: the hotly debated Ferber technique of letting the baby "cry it out," or the grin-and-bear-it solution of getting up from dusk to dawn as often as necessary. If you don't believe in letting your baby cry it out, but desperately want to sleep, there is now a third option, presented in Elizabeth Pantley's sanity-saving book The No-Cry Sleep Solution.
    Pantley's successful solution has been tested and proven effective by scores of mothers and their babies from across the United States, Canada, and Europe. Based on her research, Pantley's guide provides you with effective strategies to overcoming naptime and nighttime problems. The No-Cry Sleep Solution offers clearly explained, step-by-step ideas that steer your little ones toward a good night's sleep--all with no crying.
  • Sweet Dreams by Dr. Paul M. Fleiss.  Most new parents quickly and sadly discover the difficulty of getting a child first to go to sleep, and then to sleep throughout the night. Dr. Fleiss, a noted family pediatrician for more than 30 years, shares his secrets for discovering a child's natural sleep patterns, developing positive bedtime rituals, nutritional and lifestyle aids to sleep, and how co-sleeping affects normal growth and development.

    About the Author
    Paul Fleiss, M.D., is a clinical assistant professor of pediatrics at the UCLA School of Medicine. He boasts a roster of patients including Madonna's daughter and Leonardo DiCaprio.
  • Childbirth Without Fear by Michel Odent and Grantly Dick-Read
    A brilliant, courageous classic - Ina May Gaskin - author Ina May's Guide to Childbirthbr>
    In an age where birth has often been overtaken by obstetrics, Dr Dick-Read's philosophy is still as fresh as it was when he originally wrote this book. He unpicks every possible root cause of western woman's fear and anxiety in pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding and does so with overwhelming heart and empathy. Essential reading for all mothers-to-be!  
  • Birth Reborn by Michel Odent.  In sum, Birth Reborn is a good choice for prospective parents. Through it, a woman will develop a confidence in her instinctive, natural ability to give birth. Meanwhile, her partner gains insight into her experience and how he can assist her in the best manner possible. Though an excellent choice for parents, Birth Reborn should be required reading for those who work with prospective parents, particularly birth attendants. One should never be afraid to question commonly held beliefs. After all, that is how progress is made!
  • Choosing Waterbirth by Lashmi Bertram, Michel Odent, and Sandra McLanahan.  A mother of five and a yoga instructor, recounts each of her labor and delivery experiences using the gentle and natural method of water birth. Intended as an illustrated manual from pregnancy to birth to recovery, the book includes sections on prenatal yoga postures, techniques for birthing in water, choosing a home birth, breast feeding, and parenting a new baby. This intensely personal work is imbued with a spiritual perspective relative to both the physical and psychological aspects of motherhood.
  • We Are All Waterbabies by Michel Odent and Jessica Johnson.  The authors have created a fascinating exploration of our links with water from birth to death. Johnson has captured remarkable images of underwater births, pregnant women swimming with dolphins, and infants and babies swimming underwater--eyes open, breath held, delighted expressions on their faces. Odent's accompanying text is explanatory and he brings an interesting, off-beat approach to subjects such as birthing in a female environment, the role of water in sexuality, and whether or not humans were once sea mammals. Jessica Johnson's beautiful photographs, though, are what will bring you back to this book again and again. We Are All Water Babies is a wholly evocative and engaging book.
  • Homebirth by Sheila Kitzinger.  This book examines alternatives to hospital births, conceding that this is not the right choice for everyone. She outlines important considerations in choosing a birth setting, then details the process of preparing for birth at home or in a birth center. She also offers information valuable to expectant parents regardless of their choice of birth setting. The book, which is quite readable and fairly well referenced, also includes a short list of birth centers and organizations that can provide further information specific to local areas. A nice addition for all popular medical collections.
    - KellyJo Houtz Parish, Univ. of Missouri-Kansas City Sch. of Medicine Lib.
    Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.  
  • The Complete Book of Pregnancy and Childbirth by Sheila Kitzinger.  One of the most celebrated British authors on the sociological and anthropological aspects of birth, breast feeding, and early parenthood, Kitzinger has completely revised her classic Complete Book of Pregnancy and Childbirth to guide readers seeking a woman-centered birth experience through the newly researched alternatives now available. Organizing her book into five major sections (Early Weeks, Physical and Emotional Changes, Anticipating the Birth, the Experience of Birth, and You and Your Newborn), Kitzinger provides candid information about what mothers need to know, ranging from ways to navigate the technical landscape of hospital births to making the personal choices of a water home birth. Her "empowerment language" no longer assumes there is a marriage, replacing references to "a man" with "birthing partner." Discussing "birth rooms" rather than delivery rooms, she encourages readers to construct a birth plan, make their own space, and choose an effective birth companion. Other changes make the text more logical and accessible. The "Pregnancy Week by Week" section has been moved from the appendix to the introduction, and section dividers include tables of contents with page numbers. With revised appendixes and 300 updated photographs, drawings, and diagrams, this guide is a valuable resource for all health collections.  Rebecca Cress-Ingebo, Wright State Univ. Libs., Dayton, Ohio
    Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.  
  • Birth Your Way by Sheila Kitzinger.  The best way to choose birth at home or in the hospital. As research discloses the risks of intensively managed hospital birth, increasing numbers of women are considering alternatives. This new updated edition of Sheila Kitzinger's pioneering work gives them the facts. Highly informative yet sensitively written, and supported by firsthand accounts of women's personal experiences of birth, this is the essential guide for every woman considering her options. a longtime champion of freedom of choice in childbirth, Sheila Kitzinger is uniquely placed to advise and support women who want to make the right decision confidently for themselves.  
  • Birth without Violence by Frederick Leboyer.  Birth without Violence revolutionized the way we perceive the process of birth, urging us to consider birth from the infant's point of view. Why must a child emerge from the quiet darkness of the womb into a blaze of blinding light and loud voices? Why must an infant take its first breath in terror, hanging upside down as its vulnerable spine is jerked straight? Why must the infant be separated from its mother after spending nine months inside her nourishing body?
    Examining alternatives to technocentric approaches to childbirth, this classic text shows us how we can create an environment of tranquility in which to welcome our children: a relaxed mother, gentle lighting, soothing atmosphere, and a warm bath that mirrors the child's prenatal surroundings. Dr. Leboyer's simple techniques show us how a birth without violence has far-reaching implications for improving the quality of human life physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
  • Loving Hands by Frederick Leboyer.  The international classic—the ancient art described and illustrated with 70 of the author's own photographs. In Loving Hands, the renowned obstetrician uses his deep insight into childcare—as well as knowledge gleaned from traveling in India—to show how to use the flowing rhythms of the art of baby massage to communicate love and strength to infants in the weeks and months following birth. The book explains the simple techniques of the massage by following a radiant young mother as she communicates to her children through the primal language of touch and sensation. 70 b/w photos.  
  • Natural Childbirth the Bradley Way by Susan McCutcheon-Rosegg is an excellent resource on the Bradley Method. Author, Susan McCutcheon introduces you to the Bradley Method, explains how it differs from Lamaze, discusses how to choose your childbirth educator and your doctor, explains the importance of nutrition and how to prepare yourself for this life transforming experience.
    In addition to the general information she provides in helping you to prepare, she thoroughly walks you through the Bradley Method. Through exercise, illustration, nutrition, and practice, McCutcheon completely covers how you should prepare and deal with both First and Second Stage of Childbirth. Finally, she closes the text with a discussion of various childbirth controversies -- episiotomies, caesarean sections and homebirth.
  • Taking Charge of Your Fertility by Toni Weschler.  Fully illustrated with eight pages of color graphics and filled with helpful examples and charts, Taking Charge of Your Fertility provides a complete and fascinating window into your reproductive system. The book thoroughly explains the empowering Fertility Awareness Method, which in only a couple of minutes a day allows you to: enjoy highly effective and scientifically proven birth control without chemicals or devices; maximize your odds of conception before you see a doctor, or expedite your infertility treatment by quickly identifying impediments to your pregnancy; increase your chances of choosing the gender of your baby; and gain control of your sexual and gynecological health.
    This groundbreaking work is the next step in the women's health revolution, providing all the information women need to monitor their menstrual cycles--whether to achieve pregnancy, avoid pregnancy, or just get better control of their moods, health, and lives.
  • Natural Mothering by Nicky Wesson.  Expert advice on effective natural therapies for use in every stage of mothering from conception to care of the newborn. Natural therapies can enhance every stage of pregnancy, ease discomfort during labor, and offer effective, gentle treatment for infants and children. This comprehensive guide answers questions and provides readers with expert advice on using the most effective complementary therapies, including acupuncture, aromatherapy, Bach flower remedies, cranial osteopathy, homeopathy, hypnotherapy, massage, medical herbalism, and reflexology. The author, a mother and birth assistant, offers suggestions for many common and more serious problems, including difficulty conceiving, recurrent miscarriages, morning sickness, fatigue, insomnia, stretch marks, and stress. Sections on labor, birth, and the postpartum stage describe the physiological processes at work and provide important information on avoiding routine orthodox medical interventions whenever possible. Chapters on breast-feeding and caring for your newborn round out this complete guide.
  • Wise Woman Herbal for the Childbearing Year by Susun S. Weed.  Simple, safe, remedies for pregnancy, childbirth, lactation, newborns. Includes herbs for fertility and birth control. Foreword by Jeannine Parvati Baker. 
  • The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding by La Leche League International.  All parents want the best for their babies, and there’s no doubt about the fact that human milk is the ideal food for human babies. What’s the secret of successful breastfeeding? For almost fifty years mothers who have been in touch with La Leche League have found the kind of information and support they needed to breastfeed their babies.
    In this newly revised edition of The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding, you will learn:

    • How human milk offers lifetime benefits for your baby
    • How to prepare for breastfeeding during pregnancy
    • How to exercise and lose weight safely while nursing
    • How to find time for yourself while meeting baby’s needs
    • How to increase your milk supply by using herbs and medications
    • How to be sure your baby is getting enough to eat

    The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding was the first book of its kind, written for mothers by mothers. Over the years, more than two million mothers have turned to it for information and inspiration.
  • The Nursing Mother's Companion by Kathleen Huggins.  Breastfeeding may be natural, but it is not always instinctive. The 20th Anniversary Edition of this classic guide to breastfeeding, beloved by a generation of women, has been completely revised and updated to provide even more practical, reassuring advice and support for today's expectant and nursing mothers. Easy-reference survival guides help identify and resolve problems at each stage. An appendix on drug safety is a unique feature among breastfeeding books. 
  • The Joy of Natural Childbirth by Helen Wessel.  Want to know what the Bible really says about childbirth?  If so, read this book! The late Helen Wessel studied the Scriptures in their original language, and discovered the truth about Eve's "curse". The first half of the book is written as a story, about a young Christian couple expecting their first baby. There is a lot of information to be picked up in the story, and even more follows in the second half of the book.
    Part 2 has such chapter titles as "Childbirth Through the Centuries," "Childbirth in the Bible," "The Medical Model," "Family Sheltered Birthing," "Birthing God's Way," "The Joy of Natural Childbirth," and "The Joy of Breastfeeding." One of these chapters alone makes the book worth buying. All of them put together makes it a must-read, even if you are not planning an unmedicated birth.
  • The Natural Pregnancy Book by Aviva Jill Romm.  Reading THE NATURAL PREGNANCY BOOK is like having your own personal herbalist and midwife at your side. Expertly written by Aviva Jill Romm, who has been providing family-centered natural health care for almost 20 years, it was one of the first books to explore botanical medicine and pregnancy. In this revised and updated edition, Ms. Romm thoughtfully follows the woman’s journey from conception to birth, focusing on natural health. She describes herbs that can promote and maintain a healthy pregnancy (along with those you should avoid during your term) and the basics of a healthy diet, with an emphasis on natural foods. THE NATURAL PREGNANCY BOOK is a complete guide for the woman who envisions a safe pregnancy without technological intervention, as nature intended.
  • A Good Birth, A Safe Birth by Diana Korte.  A Good Birth, A Safe Birth covers the pros and cons of today's childbirth options and helps the expectant mother plan each stage of her pregnancy and delivery. It offers tips on how to find the right doctor-and how to avoid the wrong one. It explores the various childbirth environments, including hospital, birthing center, and home. It tells expectant parents how to ensure that their wishes will be followed. The benefits and drawbacks of medications and painkillers are also discussed, so that a mother can decide before her delivery which, if any, medications are right for her. A Good Birth, A Safe Birth enables the mother to regain control of her birth experience.
  • Birth as an American Rite of Passage by Robbie Davis-Floyd.  Davis-Floyd has written a brilliant feminist analysis of childbirth rites of passage in American culture. These rites, she argues, take away women's power over their bodies, naturally designed to bring life into the world, and for no physiological reason give it to the medical system. She believes that society, intimidated by women's ability to give birth, has designed obstetrical rituals that are far more complex than natural childbirth itself in order to deliver what is from nature into culture. "In this way," she writes, "society symbolically demonstrates ownership of its product." This beautiful book, full of insightful interviews with women on a range of birth experiences and with an extensive bibliography, is a wonderful addition to the growing literature on the anthropology of the body and the theoretical debates over mind/body and nature/culture dichotomies. Essential for all anthropology and women's studies collections and medical school libraries and highly recommended for public libraries.
  • Immaculate Deception II by Suzanne Arms.  This book raises awareness as to how the birth process has become a medical condition, the effect this may have/has had on mothers and infants, and helps you realize that the mother should be the decision maker in how she brings her child into this world. She does this with little or no bias by presenting the facts and allowing the reader to draw his/her own conclusions. Most importantly, it provides you with the knowledge that there are options for birth and that you should make informed decisions about birth instead of just following the "standard procedures" that the U.S. medical profession dictates.
  • Pleasurable Husband/Wife Childbirth: The Real Consummation of Married Love by Marilyn A. Moran.  This book describes how birth is a sexual event and how it can be pleasurable when husband and wife birth alone rather than under medical circumstances. Moran cites plenty of examples of truth/facts that are not revealed to patients who submit to the medical childbirth system. She presents research that reveals that couples who give birth intimately return to a satisfying sex life sooner and with more frequency. They often experience less fatigue and a lower incidence of postpartum depression.
    On the wedding day, a couple promises to turn to each other exclusively for sexual relations which includes birth in Moran's opinion, since birth is a sexual expression. Conception and birth are not mere technical feats, but holy acts and birth is presented as simple, safer and superior to hospital birth. Obstetricians and midwives detract from the marital union that can be solidified during birth. This book shows why "surrogates" should not be attending normal birth.
  • Unassisted Homebirth by Lynn M. Griesemer.  This 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.

    • Birth As We Know It.  This remarkable film rolls education, art, beauty, and hope into one package. The birthing segments alone are worth the price of admission, but the added instrumental version and the special features on lotus birth and the consequences of circumcision make this work a true masterpiece. After experiencing it, the viewer can't help but imagine how different our world might be if natural birth was the norm and not just an "alternative choice".

      "Birth As We Know It" is essential viewing for prospective parents, OB/GYNs, midwives, doulas, birthing instructors, and anyone who has an interest in natural childbirth and waterbirth. For those who have already had children or who don't plan to become parents, watch this DVD and let yourself be swept away.

    • Birth Day.              I first watched this video when it was out on VHS long ago when I had my own fears about childbirth. The whole process of birth that is shown is very gentle, natural, safe, and relaxed. As a childbirth educator, I have found that this video is very empowering for women to watch and reassures them that their bodies are 100% capable of birthing without intervention.

      Birth Day shows just how perfectly a woman's body is created to give birth naturally and normally - doing what it needs to do in its own time to bring about a perfect, healthy, calm birth. Included in the DVD is not only footage of the labor and birth itself, but also interviews with those involved on the day of birth. We can see how spiritual a birth day is for all those involved, especially mom.

      I highly recommend this DVD along with the most excellent "Birth As We Know It" (2006) and the DVD that comes in the must-read book "Gentle Birth Choices" (2005) by Harper & Arms. Together every mom can find peace and unmatched joy in birth.
    • The Business of Being Born.  The film does a good job of explaining the "intervention cycle" that is so common in medicalized births--the mother is hooked up to intravenous tubes and all sorts of technology, and thus there is inevitable pressure to use (or misuse that technology). Anesthetics, which are supposed to ease the pain, lead to slowdown in the birth process, which leads to more intervention (pitocin etc.) and oftentimes to "crisis" into which the physician steps to save the day. The film gives a fair amount of attention to the power of the physician over against the mother in medicalized birth. The portrayal of the respectful and extremely helpful manner in which home birth midwives work comes across very well.
    •  With Woman.  This first DVD release from True Story Productions explores out of hospital birth through the experiences of three families. Told through the eyes of midwifery icon Ina May Gaskin, the film touchingly portrays a woman's second VBAC attempt, a first time mother's experience, and an at home waterbirth.
    • Gentle Birth Choices.  This video shows women birthing at home, in birthing centers, standing, squatting, in water and more. It conveys the awe and wonder and power of a woman in childbirth and the emotional impact of a birth on the family and people around her.

      In between births are segments featuring Marsden Wagner, Dr. Michael Rosenthal, Barbara Harper, and several midwives. They talk about the safety of midwifery and alternative birthing locations. This video also covers some of the dangers of overusing technology, while showing the appropriate use of minor interventions when necessary.

      All around, this is the best video I have seen to show women a variety of options, birthing positions and the emotional impact of natural birth. Although I watch birth videos several times a week for my classes, I still can't get through this one with dry eyes.