Ina May's Guide to Childbirth

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Hospitals and doctors have come a loooong way in being more patient centered and accommodating women's wishes with childbirth. So instead of promoting dangerous ideas that science shouldn't be used or trusted, let's get science and midwifery to complement each other.

These stories are all from the 1970s so I felt like I was reading a history book since I am so far removed from that age group. I found it irresponsible and cowardly to say that she recognizes the need for modern medicine, but then dumps all over it.Publication dates are subject to change (although this is an extremely uncommon occurrence overall). Another downside of this book was that it was a little too "Rah, rah, rah, women's bodies can do anything!

I do definitely recommend this one, but I also recommend reading other books to fill out a more balanced view, unless you are definitely giving birth under the stars on a hippie commune and your chances of winding up in a hospital are extremely low.

She loudly praises their every benefit and greatly downplays or completely ignores any of their shortcomings or risks. But there are many good insights, ideas, and a good look at a more natural/alternative approach to the typical medical/hospital care women are more commonly accustomed to. Ina May Gaskin, MA, CPM, is founder and director of the Farm Midwifery Center, located near Summertown, Tennessee. I plan to go without pain meds for as long as I can but if labor goes on too long, or gets to be too much, or if I have to be induced (which is looking likely) I am open to the meds. Founded in 1971, by 1996, the Farm Midwifery Center had handled more than 2200 births, with remarkably good outcomes.

Indeed, after reading her Guide to Childbirth and speaking to other mothers about it, I am inclined to agree! Our culture really does make a medicalized birth seem normal, when in reality, the opposite is true.

Overall I took one star away for the amount of birth stories (127 pages worth) and the fact that they were very old.