I have an extensive lending library available to clients. Here are some of my favourite recommended reads.
Spiritual Midwifery
Ina May Gaskin
The 4th edition of the classic book on home birth that introduced a whole generation of women to the concept of natural childbirth. Back again are even more amazing birthing tales, including those from women who were babies in earlier editions and stories about Old Order Amish women attended by the Farm midwives. Also new is information about the safety of techniques routinely used in hospitals during and after birth, information on postpartum depression and maternal death, and recent statistics on births managed by The Farm Midwives. From the amazing birthing tales to care of the newborn, Spiritual Midwifery is still one of the best books an expectant mother could own. Includes resources for the doulas, childbirth educators, birth centers, and other organization and alliances dedicated to improving maternity care at home and in hospitals.
Ina May Gaskin
The 4th edition of the classic book on home birth that introduced a whole generation of women to the concept of natural childbirth. Back again are even more amazing birthing tales, including those from women who were babies in earlier editions and stories about Old Order Amish women attended by the Farm midwives. Also new is information about the safety of techniques routinely used in hospitals during and after birth, information on postpartum depression and maternal death, and recent statistics on births managed by The Farm Midwives. From the amazing birthing tales to care of the newborn, Spiritual Midwifery is still one of the best books an expectant mother could own. Includes resources for the doulas, childbirth educators, birth centers, and other organization and alliances dedicated to improving maternity care at home and in hospitals.
Gentle Birth, Gentle Mothering
Sarah Buckley
Sarah Buckley might be called a third-wave natural birth advocate. A doctor and a mother, she approaches the question of how a woman and baby might have the most fulfilling birth experience with respect for the wisdom of both medical science and the human body. Using current medical and epidemiological research plus women's experiences (including her own), she demonstrates that what she calls undisturbed birth is almost always healthier and safer than hospital births. Her wise counsel on issues like breastfeeding and sleeping during postpartum helps extend the gentle birth experience into a gentle parenting relationship.
Sarah Buckley
Sarah Buckley might be called a third-wave natural birth advocate. A doctor and a mother, she approaches the question of how a woman and baby might have the most fulfilling birth experience with respect for the wisdom of both medical science and the human body. Using current medical and epidemiological research plus women's experiences (including her own), she demonstrates that what she calls undisturbed birth is almost always healthier and safer than hospital births. Her wise counsel on issues like breastfeeding and sleeping during postpartum helps extend the gentle birth experience into a gentle parenting relationship.
The Heart In The Womb: An Exploration Into The Roots Of Human Love And Social Cohesion
Amali Lokugamage
Modern-day life and our highly stressed, risk-averse society has led to a medicalised, fearful model of childbirth, one that has stripped the process of its wondrous magic. In this groundbreaking book, consultant obstetrician Dr Amali Lokugamage discusses ways in which every woman can aim to give birth in the most natural, supportive way possible, and looks at the wider implications for society at large. This is an exploration into the roots of human love and social cohesion.
Amali Lokugamage
Modern-day life and our highly stressed, risk-averse society has led to a medicalised, fearful model of childbirth, one that has stripped the process of its wondrous magic. In this groundbreaking book, consultant obstetrician Dr Amali Lokugamage discusses ways in which every woman can aim to give birth in the most natural, supportive way possible, and looks at the wider implications for society at large. This is an exploration into the roots of human love and social cohesion.
Magical Beginnings, Enchanted Lives: How To Use Meditation, Yoga And Other Techniques To Give Your Child The Perfect Start In Life, From Conception to Early Infancy.
Using exercises and techniques developed over ten years of teaching a popular series of workshops at the Chopra Center for Well Being, Dr Deepak Chopra shows readers how to see parenthood from a very different perspective. Magical Beginnings, Enchanted Lives uses meditation, yoga, dietary guidelines, natural remedies, visualization, journaling and drawing to enhance the experience of pregnancy and birth for both parents and baby. Also included are practical strategies to prepare the parents for labour and delivery, caring for the newborn child and enjoying parenthood. By applying established techniques from Deepak Chopra's internationally famous mind/body approach to the experience of pregnancy, childbirth and early infancy, Magical Beginnings, Enchanted Lives adds previously unexplored dimensions of physical health, joy and insight to elevate one of life's primal experiences to the realm of the miraculous.
Using exercises and techniques developed over ten years of teaching a popular series of workshops at the Chopra Center for Well Being, Dr Deepak Chopra shows readers how to see parenthood from a very different perspective. Magical Beginnings, Enchanted Lives uses meditation, yoga, dietary guidelines, natural remedies, visualization, journaling and drawing to enhance the experience of pregnancy and birth for both parents and baby. Also included are practical strategies to prepare the parents for labour and delivery, caring for the newborn child and enjoying parenthood. By applying established techniques from Deepak Chopra's internationally famous mind/body approach to the experience of pregnancy, childbirth and early infancy, Magical Beginnings, Enchanted Lives adds previously unexplored dimensions of physical health, joy and insight to elevate one of life's primal experiences to the realm of the miraculous.
New Active Birth: A Concise Guide To Natural Childbirth
Janet Balaskas
New Active Birth will help you and your partner prepare for and experience an Active Birth. Naturally, throughout time and the world over, women have chosen to walk, stand, squat, lie - to move their bodies freely and actively to find the most comfortable positions for labour and birth. It is only we in the west who have the extraordinary notion that a woman should lie on her back in a position that defies the laws of nature and gravity. With this book, you can learn to develop all your body's resources to deal with the instinctive experience of childbirth. It is also for partners, teachers, midwives and everyone involved, to help mothers get up off the delivery table and to bring back some of the common sense which has been overlooked by modern obstetrics.
Janet Balaskas
New Active Birth will help you and your partner prepare for and experience an Active Birth. Naturally, throughout time and the world over, women have chosen to walk, stand, squat, lie - to move their bodies freely and actively to find the most comfortable positions for labour and birth. It is only we in the west who have the extraordinary notion that a woman should lie on her back in a position that defies the laws of nature and gravity. With this book, you can learn to develop all your body's resources to deal with the instinctive experience of childbirth. It is also for partners, teachers, midwives and everyone involved, to help mothers get up off the delivery table and to bring back some of the common sense which has been overlooked by modern obstetrics.
Heart And Hands: A Midwife's Guide To Pregnancy And Birth
Elizabeth Davis
A fully revised update of the foundational text on birth assisting from internationally renowned authority Elizabeth Davis, offering professional guidance for both aspiring and veteran midwives. Presenting information on what to expect during each stage of pregnancy, birth, and postpartum recovery, Heart and Hands has been the most trusted guide for midwives and expecting parents for more than two decades. This completely revised edition includes new photographs and illustrations, updated resources for parents, and a current list of midwifery schools. Information will be added throughout to reflect the latest research on the physiology of pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. Combining time-honored teachings with the most current obstetric techniques, this essential reference empowers birthing helpers and parents to create a truly woman-centered birth experience.
Elizabeth Davis
A fully revised update of the foundational text on birth assisting from internationally renowned authority Elizabeth Davis, offering professional guidance for both aspiring and veteran midwives. Presenting information on what to expect during each stage of pregnancy, birth, and postpartum recovery, Heart and Hands has been the most trusted guide for midwives and expecting parents for more than two decades. This completely revised edition includes new photographs and illustrations, updated resources for parents, and a current list of midwifery schools. Information will be added throughout to reflect the latest research on the physiology of pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. Combining time-honored teachings with the most current obstetric techniques, this essential reference empowers birthing helpers and parents to create a truly woman-centered birth experience.
Better Birth: The Definitive Guide To Childbirth Choices
Lareen Newman & Heather Hancock
Every mother to be has the chance to give birth where she remains in control and is at the center of the experience. Better Birth is written from both the personal and professional viewpoint about choosing the birthplace, the caregiver, and how an understanding of the process can result in a truly positive and satisfying birth. Many women think that birth is something that has to endured and are often uncertain about what their real options are. This book clarifies the confusing issues and helps you to make vital decisions about your experience.
Lareen Newman & Heather Hancock
Every mother to be has the chance to give birth where she remains in control and is at the center of the experience. Better Birth is written from both the personal and professional viewpoint about choosing the birthplace, the caregiver, and how an understanding of the process can result in a truly positive and satisfying birth. Many women think that birth is something that has to endured and are often uncertain about what their real options are. This book clarifies the confusing issues and helps you to make vital decisions about your experience.
The Child within the Lotus
Margaret Stephenson Meere
The Child within the Lotus is a groundbreaking spiritual parenting guide that demystifies baby behaviour to empower new parents to effectively guide and nurture a child physically, emotionally and spiritually through their stages of growth. This is a book for everyone, whether you are parenting a little child, considering having a child or even thinking about your own childhood and wanting to parent your own personal development.
