Home Birth

I loved the philosophy of this book -that birth is a natural, normal process that rarely needs intervention. The author exposes the obstetric profession for what it really is: male-dominated and misogynistic, with doctors (and CNMs) performing unnecessary procedures on women in labor for their own convenience and/or out of a real fear of labor and birth. Many of the medical procedures she writes about definitely are still the norm at hospital births, such as inducing or speeding up labor with Pitocin or artificially breaking the bag of waters, and putting women flat on their backs to push, but other procedures are simply not done routinely anymore. For example, she frequently mentions shaving and enemas (outdated prepping procedures) and using silver nitrate in the baby's eyes (silver nitrate has been replaced with an anti-biotic ointment). I was surprised at these references to outdated routines because the book was supposedly revised in August 2000. A new mother reading this book, without further knowledge, may fear these procedures will be performed if she goes to the hospital. Also, the author's information on circumcision is wrong. The studies indicating a higher incidence of cervical cancer among partners of intact males have been debunked. She does mention that circumcision is a mutilation, but then seems to say it's okay if a Mohel (Jewish circumcisor) performs the mutilation. I wish she had emphasized that circumcision is incompatible with a homebirth philosophy (placing priority on a gentle beginning for newborns) because it is an abusive act (no matter who performs it). Lastly, the author dismissed the option of unassisted homebirth. Even though she disagrees with this method of birth, she could have given it a little more consideration.

This is a fascinating and historical book. It is written in a readable narrative fashion, mixing in all relevant data on the subject matter. You hear both the personal story of the author and an even handed analysis of relevant debates. This was one of the first books written on the modern home birth movement over twenty years ago. It was extremely controversial for the time, and is a must read for anyone interested in childbirth.

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I just wanted to comment on what the last reviewer said about circumcision. I am an avid supporter of homebirth; however, I am also a Jew. Knowing several "mohels" personally and having circumcised my two sons, I can tell you that the procedure is very different from the (admitted) mutilation that happens in the hospital-where babies are strapped down spread-eagle and have painful clamps used on them by someone who is less than ideally skilled. A mohel (a kosher one) does not use such clamps; and the baby is held by a loving person carefully with many prayers goign out to him while the whole thing is done in seconds. I'm not saying it is easy, but it is a right of passage that is absolutely fundamental to our religion, and I believe that it is unfair to equate this ritual with the experience that goes on in the hospital.

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