Balanced Book on Labor and Delivery

K.,
You must get Penny Simkins "Pregnancy, Childbirth and the Newborn". Simkin's book is, in my opinion (I have been in the childcare industry for six years now and am a mother myself) the one 'must-read' book for pregnant moms.
Secondly, definitely look into finding a doula you feel comfortable with. Ask them about how they feel about medication in the interview.
I was strongly predispositioned to have a non-medicated birth. I did pretty well until about five centimeters and then the most atrocious back labor set in and I was out of my head with back pain. Even though I had had a "I want a non-medicated birth but I'm going to keep all my options open" I hated asking for the medication. Thankfully, my doula was 100% supportive, even though I know she had had two unmedicated births of her own. But her and I were on the same page about the main concern being delivery of a healthy baby girl, not subscribing to a social expectation.
Definitely get Simkin's book and just remember that what's important is having a healthy baby and happy memories.
Best of luck!
M.

I thought the Big Book of Birh by Erica Lyons was fabulous. It was a well rounded, informative book- meant to empower us to deliver in the best way possible. I didn't feel that it was biased toward medicated or non medicated labor, nor toward the hospital or home births. She did a great job expaining exactly what was happening in the different stages and then different tools that you can use to make it go easier.

I know this is too late to help you, but maybe someone else will find this book usefull!

My favorite was "The Birth Book" but I can't remember the author, sorry! Out of my millions of books it was the most helpful

Hello K.,
I am a Doula in Az & I know what you mean aboout the books being either this side or that side.I checked quickly through my small library & found a couple that I think are what you are looking for.

1. Pregnancy,Childbirth,& the Newborn.
Authored by: Penny Simkin,Janet Whalley,& Ann Keppler

2. The Birth Partner
Authored by: Penny Simkin

3. Pregnancy
Authored by: Heather Welford

4. The Birth Book
Authored by: William & Martha Sears

5.A Child Is Born
Authored by: Lennart Nilsson & Lars Hamberger
(This is a book that is very informative about the process of conception,& pregnacy & has GREAT pictures throughout!)

Hope this helps! T.

i used the book "natural childbirth the bradley way". it was very helpful. the methods in the book and a very very helpful dh made it possible for me to have a natural, though very long, labor and birth. my friend is borrowing it at the moment so i can't check about pain-killer bias. but if i remember correctly it goes over the benefits as well as risks of using the various pain relief options. the book does sort-of discourage you from having a hospital birth (have baby at home instead). but i was able to ignore the comments about hospitals being horrible because we had already decided to have baby at the hospital. so if you're able to overlook that...

i agree with another reply about the hospital's childbirth class being very helpful. they did go over all the risks and benefits as well as what degree of relief you could hope to experience with each choice.
it is good to know what you would like to take if you decide you need it during the labor.

don't feel guilty about your choices!! every woman has a completely different birth. have your decisions made ahead of time and you will feel more confident once the event begins!
best wishes!!

I have not yet had my baby he is due any day now but i think the pregnancy bible has helped me all through out mmy pregnancy and it gives you birth alternatives and a week by week chart of what you will go through. It has appropriate but helpful pictures that will help understand what you will most likely go through i have the what to expect when your expecting but i dont think it is as helpful. The pregnancy bible also has a section on early parenthood. The pregnancy bible has everything in it from day one to what type of drugs to take during labor and signs when labor is aproaching it sounds like your typical book but it has been a god send for someone like myself who has no idea what to expect and now i feel i could deliver a baby haha

Have you read "What To Expect..."? I can't remember if they purched for one method or another.
With my first delivery I said no epidural, maxed out Stadol & Demerol,had no self control, then got an ____@____.com I learned after was that narcotics do not take away pain, they just make it more bearable and that epidurals can be titrated so that they take away any pain/dicomfort but you can still feel to push. Everyones expierence is different and there is no right or wrong. Only what works for you. Don't be afraid or feel bad if you need medication during delivery. It doesn't make you any less a mom. Congradulations of your upcoming arrival and good luck.

I am a birth doula in Portland, Oregon. I would suggest the book "Hey!Who's having this baby anyway" by Breck Hawk, and of course, I would recommend a doula, one who will assist you in having the baby the way that you want! I have cleint's that want to go "all natural" and those who want an epidural. I will say that most of my cleint's when well informed opt for for birth without interventions for the empowerment of themselves, and the better health with fewer complication for baby.

Best of luck to you!

I don't know of any books, but I have had two children. I am not sure why everyone thinks natural is the best. Why is receiving pain relief not natural? I am sure if it was available to Eve (hee hee joking?!), she would have accepted it. I think what ever helps you to enjoy your labor and delivery is the way to go. I had back labor for both my children and it was rough for me. If I had to go though the whole labor without an epidural, I can honestly say I would only have one child. Every woman is different and never feel guilty about the choices you make. We all are doing the best we can!! Congrats! Take care and I hope this helped a little bit!

Hi K.,
I would have to agree with those who said that "The Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth" by Henci Goer is a good one. As a labor doula and midwifery apprentice, I feel like this book is open and gives accurate information on a lot of different options for labor and delivery. On a bias note, I always mention doulas!! They are a great resource and have lots of information for you regardless of whether you want a natural or medicated birth!! I hope that you find the support you are looking for!!
R. in Oregon

Your doctors office is the best information source on this. They will be able to drown you in literature. Another great source was the hospital itself that you are delivering at. My husband and I took a "tour" of the birthing facilities and were able to ask all kinds of questions and received MUCH literature on every subject, we were almost overwhelmed. Don't let anyone make you feel guilty, you need to do what is best for you and your baby. Just remember that people have babies every day and you can do this!

Hi K.,My name is B. and I'm 37 I have 3 kids,ages are 20,18,5 1/2. I can tell you that no matter what you read all labor is different,and if the book tells you there is an easy way to do it it's not,I couldn't have any medication due to my back problem,and my kids at birth weighted 9'5,8'3,10'9.my niece is 27 and she has 5 kids and each time she wanted to do it natural she got to the point the pain was to much so she went with the spinal witch 95% of women do.so I had no choice but to have all 3 of mine natural even my 10 lb 9oz boy.If you choose to do natural I can tell you YES it does hurt alot but after it's all over it's hard to explain how the pain is.and there is a feeling you get after you have your baby naturally.I hope this helps you decide witch way you want to go.If you have any questions you may ask me at any time.

If you do decide to go with pain med. only have it when you are in transition because this is the most pain full And I feel that the pain is so unessisary. When you are fully dialated and 100% efaced you should be able to have the medication stoped so you can feel yourself pushing, it is most gratifing and in order to have a full expereance of child birth with out feeling cheated you need to feel the pushing. It only hearts for a split second with the crowning but it is a wonderful expereance. The feramons that the body puts out make it so after having the bady, rite after, it is sensitive but not painful. Plus when your out of the dilevery room the nurses offer you pain med. I suggest taking it. The doc. wouldn't give it to you if it harmed you baby and your body will ache afterwards. You want to be able to injoy your baby his our hers first 48 hours and not have it be in so much pain.

I hope I don't anger anyone, but I found the hospital Labor and Delivery class useless and filled with incorrect information. I am a med student and I found many of the things they said were misleading or downright wrong. For example, the nurse told us that we have nerves running from our uterus to our brain and if we stimulate them with things like massage, music or aromatherapy the all of the pain cannot reach our brain because it will be blocked by the other incoming signals. WOW, not true. My advice would be to 1) ask your doctor, or 2) check out a medical book from your local library. No matter what, it is always a good idea to get your information from more than one source to ensure accuracy.

Good luck!
P.S. I had my baby four months ago and it wasn't as bad as I expected. You'll do great!

We used a doula with our first....and felt more confident to go it on our own with our 2nd...I had very tough pregnanices with lots of nausea and vomiting through out both. A doula helped both of us feel we had another person to count on to listen to our needs during the delivery.

Hi K.,
I don't really have any books to recommend to you because, in my experience, books about childbirth don't really do a whole lot more than cause worry and make you ask questions. Asking questions is a good thing, but it doesn't take a specific book to inspire them.
What hospital are you using? My first daughter was born at Regions Hospital in St. Paul, MN. They have an orientation class that is not really a childbirth class, but they do go over your options as far as pain meds go and they also show you the rooms and nursery, etc. At regions, you give birth in one room and then move to another room to recover. They give you two choices for every meal and deliver it right to your room. My daughter is going to be 3 in 2 weeks, so the food might have improved since then...it reminded me of airline food, but at least there were choices. The ice is awesome, though! I had a huge craving for ice while I was in labor and it is nice and soft at Regions!
I used a midwife for both of my pregnancies. At regions, I had a different midwife for delivery than had helped me through my pregnancy, but she was wonderful. They let me birth in any position I wanted (not the case for my second daughter in Waukesha, WI). They helped me work through the labor without medication until I was entering active labor - at which point they gave me a muscle relaxant and mild pain reliever that made me sleepy. I was lucky to be in labor for only 7 hours for my first delivery, but I started at 4 a.m. after going to bed at 1 a.m., so I was pooped to begin with. Speaking of "pooped" that's what deliver was like for me. Imagine the largest bowel movement you have ever had...that's about it. From what others have told me and my own experience, the pain of labor is more memorable for those who use pain medication than those who don't. If your delivery doctor doesn't suggest it, I would recommend a local anesthetic in the perineal area so that you can't feel it if you do tear or while they stitch it up. I had small tears with my first delivery - one of which turned into a hematoma a few days later. I did not tear at all with my second delivery.
One thing to be aware of, which I was not, is that if you get pain medication too early, it can wear off right when you need it the most. I was in labor for 15 hours and only dilated 2cm before I was induced the second time around. They gave me some pain meds at the same time as they gave the meds to cause me to start labor. I actually gave birth 3 hours later, right when the meds started to wear off.
Whether you use medication or not - giving birth is a huge accomplishment and a very emotional time. I wish you the best!

Hi and congrats on your first baby! How exciting! I am a mother of three and I had them all natural.All three I had a midwife deliver in the hospital.
I have a phobia of needles, so with my first one I didn't get any pain medication intill my water broke, then I got nervous and they gave me a iv, but the effects didn't take place intill after the birth. Sorry I don't remember the name of it.
My second child, I have really bad back labor. Thats when all the contractions spread thru your lower back and it is very painful.My midwife asked if I would like to try the waterbirth. They have a tub (resembles a hot tub, very big)and its filled with water, very warm water. She broke my water and I was wheeled to the tub. I was nervous at first and she resured me that the baby was passing from on body of water to anouther and it would not breath intill it was surfaced. When I stepped in I actually signed a breath of release, all my contractions went from my back to my stomach, and I definalty could feel the diffrance, it was not nearly as painful. I had her natural and needed no medication. You can move, like floating in the water to postions anyway that you feel comfortable.
My third child, I was 12 days over due and they broke my water in the morning to try to induce labor. This was by far the most painful, becaues my contactions started sudden, and was consistent. I had the iv in the arm and did the water birth again. My advice is to never induce labor, or have them brk. your water to induce labor. The baby will come when it is ready.
Really look into water births, if you want to try it without epirduls.
Sorry for the spelling, and I hope that helped not scared you.

St. Lukes has a great child birthing preperation class and they talk about the pros and cons of all types of birth. You may want to call them ans ask. ###-###-####

Good luck on the labor and delivery. If you need drugs, don't feel guilty and use them is how I believe.

Congrats on #1. You will be awesome! L.

I did so much reading when I was pregnant with my second. I had my first natural and wanted to do the same with my second. However I wanted to really know my options. There are three stages of laber and I was in hard labor for 25 hrs. Which is where they ususlly c-section. However being totally against that I had my doctor go in and physically dialate me. With his hands. UG right insane. I refused drugs cus it does effect the children. However realistically speaking if you need them then do it. Oxygen remember this, you can ask for oxygen mask. It helps the most. What it does is ensure you muscles recieve oxygen which is cut off with tension(via contraction) with oxygen your muscles will stay relaxed and you will speed up the process. Also I know this is going to be a bit ick but.. make sure you have a enema they will give it to you in the hospital. Just mention it. Otherwise before going give your self one. That is one of the largest reasons labor is so long during the last month of pregnancy due to all the shifting and pressure a woman becomes constipated. Therefore creating tension on your uterus and making it harder to dialate. Well here are some of the books I read. I read older ones and newer ones.
Natural Childbirth the Bradly Way
A holistic Guide to Pregnancy and childbirth(which is actually more about your emotions and connecting with your baby. While still within you. Teaches you ways to be fully in a conscious state of being and therefore totally able to connect and feel everything with your baby.)
Your Pregnancy Week by Week

The second book helped me allot. It helped me realise when something was wrong after 22 hrs of labor I felt something was not okay. There by getting the doctor in and my baby out. I felt her not recieving anything she needed and sure enough I was right. Would of done the c-section if my doctor was not able to bring her out the way he did.
I hope this helps. COngrats

Have you tried What to expect when you you are expecting?
Good luck.
L. Habbershaw

The books I suggest my clients to read are:
Henci Goer's Thinking Woman's Guide (she breaks down the research for all procedures performed in a hospital birth). She has another good one "Obstetrical Myths vs. Research Realities".

I also suggest The Complete Book on Pregnancy and Childbirth written by Shiela Kitzinger.

If your looking for a book talking positively about epidurals then find any book written by an obstetrician. But honestly, most labors I attend do not involve drugs. If you want to avoid them, you need to hire a good support team (Midwive, Some OB's, Doula) and labor at home as long as possible.

Hello,
Congrats on your baby, and if u can do it all natural...good for u. With my first I had epideral. But also had bad complications. With my second I went natural. It all depends on the person's body. With my second the labor was fast and not long, so it was easier. They will have to put you on an I.V. anyways for fluids but make sure the nurses and your doc. know how u feel. Don't feel bad at all it dont hurt your baby, there is a drug that just takes the edge off you can get. You are in still a lot of pain but controllable. Try talking to a midwife about some possible books, barns and noble, or even on ebay. I really Hope you get what your looking for.

I think the best book that any woman can read about birth and is based on sound research is "The Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth" by Henci Goer. Her other books on pregnancy and childbirth are excellent as well.

The Everything Birthing Book
Paula Ford-Martin
(Also, you're hospital's labor and delivery class will help a TON).

I found that the childbirth class we took was extremely helpful. They talked about many options and the pros and cons of each.

I don't have any book suggestions because the simple fact is everyone is different and every labor and delivary is different.. You wont find much literature on which one to do, it is all about how much you can handle and how much the baby can handle. I personally had to have an epideral with both my babies.. The first seems to be the hardest and the most painful.. My second one was faster and I could have gone natural with him, just chose not to.. My first took 13 1/2 hours and I was 5 centimeters with the second one by the time I got to the hospital.. So it is all up to you and what you can handle.. Good luck. Congradulations

Congratulations! I really liked The Mother of All Pregnancy Books by Ann Douglas. She has gone through everything and has a great style of writing that is thorough but still fun to read. I would recommend all of her books as a well-rounded guide. Best of luck to you and your soon to be family of three!

J.
SAHM to two boys (2 1/2 & 16 months)

Hi K., congratulations on your upcoming birth! If you truly are interested in using drugs then I would suggest you talk to your doctor as they know what is available in your area. Be sure to ask about all risks and benfits to both you and your baby. But also ask any other local birthing professionals such as doulas, midwives and childbirth educators. Everyone has a different take on the subject and it's good to see alot of sides so you are making an informed decision.

If you are truly interested in a natural birth, you need to surround yourself with more positive and affirming stories. Tell people when they try to tell you horror stories that you don't want to hear them. These do effect our labor drastically - they cause fear. Fear causes tension and tension, in turn, causes pain. For lots of wonderful birth stories try reading "Journey into Motherhood" by Sheri Minelli. Also, consider taking HypnoBirthing childbirth classes. They take the fear out of birthing and help you have a truly wonderful birth story to share. Having a doula available to help you prepare and present at your birth can also help you have a very positive outcome.

Best of luck with whatever path you choose. Remember that it is your birth and you must choose what is best for you and your baby. There is no guilt in that.

C. in Minnesota

The best place to get advice on labor and birthing options is through your child birth classes(not Lamaze classes)Child birth classes are totally different from lamaze classes. Childbirth classes talk about all the different types of labor abnd delivery methods and they help you develop a birthing plan that allows room for change. I ddin't have one with my daughter as I was young and not aware but woith my son my husband and I went to a great child birth class at untied hospital in saint paul. The woman who taught the class used her own birthing experience as a guide and was really helpfull in encouraging us to come up with a birthing plan that would be right for us. We made a cd of music to play during the labor, and since we are a rock and roll kind of couple we recorded lots or rock love ballads and the teacher was very supportive of that. I did end up getting an epidural but I did not feel guilty about it becasue in my child birth class the teacher let us know that if we feel the need to use pain meds it was okay and it did not mean we were less of a mom

Ok, I don't have a book or anything to suggest but just some advice from experience. If you think you want the medication go for it. You want this to be a happy memory. However, I didn't have an epidural with my 1st two and I had them naturally. My 3rd I had to have a c section so a spinal was given. Just don't feel guilty. You can read until your blue in the face but the natural feelings will always be there. Talk it over with your DH and your OB and come to a mutual understanding and write your own form of a birth plan as to how you want things to go and go that route. If you need any advice feel free to contact via email at ____@____.com.

I read quite a few books and things to help me decide. Things didn't quite work out for me in a good way. I decided to go natural until I needed pain medication, and use the birthing tub, which was really nice! I didnt' get to give birth in it though. I was induced and in labor for 28 hours before they decided to do a C-Section. Which I wish I would have asked for to begin with. I requested an epidural the next morning, and the Dr. (who wasn't mine, my Midwife couldn't make it) told me I couldn't have anything as it would stop labor. This is the main reason I will not go back to that hospital, or clinic.

Hi;
I am a doula and midwife. I work in a busy hospital. The best book I know of is, "Pregnancy, Childbirth and the Newborn". It is, in my opinion, an excellent book. Penny is under the belief that if a woman wants/needs pain relief, then get it for her. Also, if a woman wants a natural birth, help her achieve it. Blessings for your upcoming birth.

HI.
I believe the best decisions are between you and your Dr.
I went at it (twice) with this "IF I need medication then I'll consider it, and IF I don't, then okay". I was predetermined one way or the other.
I was in "hard" labor for 18 hrs w/ my son. At about hour 12 the nurse gently suggested that I may try some pain relief since by the time he was ready to deliver I'd be worn out totally. It worked wonderfully. They monitor everything so close that the risks to your baby are minimal.
An opinion any way : ) Best wishes to you and yours. Yea for you.
M. in Nevada.

I don't know about any books, but when I had my first, I took a childbirth prep class at a local hospital and they had some information about options. So, you could check with a hospital and see what they have!

The best advice I got about labor and delivery was from other women who have been through the process. I have a hard time sitting and reading non-fiction books, so I can't suggest a good book.

I wanted to try a natural birth, but when the time came I knew I was going to have to have an epidural or be totally miserable. Some say that due to the 1st drug they gave me I had to have a C-section...I didn't dialate enough. I know that slow dialation runs in my family and it was a concern of mine.

Anyway! I would talk to the people in your area about your different options...your Ob...a local midwife...a local dula (or however it's spelt). Visit the hospital you'll be delvering at and ask them what a generally typical birthing is like. What are some of the options they offer (ie, jacuzzi, birthing balls, shower, water birth, midwife birth). You may think that you would want a certain option due to reading, but then when you meet the people in your area in that field, you may not like them to trust them with your birth process.

It's a personal decision and no one can tell you that you made the wrong one...they aren't you!

Hey K.
Try "Pregnancy, Childbirth and the Newborn" by Simkin, Whalley and Keppler or "While Waiting" by Verrilli and Mueser

A. M
Certified Postpartum Doula and Lactation Consultant

Good Luck!

Most women end up with pain relief in the form of medications during labor and delivery because of lack of education surrounding childbirth and its consequences on the baby and influences on breastfeeding. Yes, SOME women end up in an emergency setting or with days and days of labor where relief is necessary. What you might do is set yourself up for a good, educated and informed natural birth and if there becomes a need for pain relief you have throughly learned about the phases of labor and delivery, what they mean and how to get through them effectively. Part of it is trusting what your body is made to do, the other is taking the full responsibility to educate yourself on what labor is about. MOST problems that occur in pregnancy itself can be prevented by good solid nutrition. In fact, many moms don't know that pre-eclampsia is actually a result of a mild form of malnutrition. Not even our doctors encourage us and give us examples of what good health and nutrition is when we're pregnant.
When taking a good childbirth education course, you learn not only about what your body is doing while pregnant and in labor/delivery, you learn why and how to work with it. You learn that the more tense and stressed you are, the more pain you will be in. I would encourage you to look into Bradley Natural Childbirth classes, educate yourself and then feel good about whatever decision you are making. You can't make a good decision without being educated and informed on the topic. There's much to learn about pregnancy and childbirth.
An interesting forum you might find helpful is the Ten Moons Rising (.org) organization is holding a symposium at the U of M in October on What Babies Want us to KNow. SOme world reknowned speakers and doctors will be there, among many helpful vendors of products and service that you might find handy.
Just my two cents.
You can find out more about this at www.MyHealthyBeginning.com
Nichi Hirsch

Congratulations on this very exciting time in your life! A little advice someone passed down to me is to focus on the prize. It is not so much about how you get there, but to have that healthy baby in your arms when it is all said and done. They don't pass out trophy's in the end for having a high pain threshold. The only trophy you get to take home is that sweet baby. I hope you have a wonderful experience, but much more importantly, a healthy bambino.

K.,
Very good to see your posting! I am a labor and delivery nurse at United hospital. I also have a 2 year old daughter.
I have lots of ideas some good/bad but if you would like to chat let me know. As a nurse I always keep and open mind with my patients and work with what they want, also adding my suggestions.
Good luck!
A.

Try this one. The Complete Book of Pregnancy and Childbirth, Sheila Katzinger. Pay close attention to the Chapter: Dealing with Pain starting on page 304. Good luck.......