Better Birth: The Ultimate Guide to Childbirth from Home Births to Hospitals

Often times when I am working as a doula with couples I try to impress upon them that giving birth is 90% an emotional/spiritual experience. A woman is not only giving birth to a new human being, but to herself as a mother, and what's more, she is giving birth to a new family. Not only this, but birth is one of the most primal experiences a human being can go through and in that it calls upon the deepest parts of your being to be faced, dealt with, challenged, and ultimately called upon. Finally, with the publication of Denise's book, BetterBirth, I have a resource I can hand to my clients to help them get at this core. Denise's book, which is the exceptionally beautiful culmination of a life's work of supporting, coaching, and challenging people to be the best they can be combined with her expertise in childbirth, is a treasure trove of useful tools and information to help parents prepare for this most auspicious rite of passage in life. Denise book gives practical information on how to prepare mentally, physically, and spiritually for the birth of your new child. Everything from her toolbox with helpful tips on preparing one's body for the birthing process, to her very thoughtful and thorough tips on how to plan for the immediate postpartum period, this book is chock-full of useful information. This book is amazing and I can't think of anything better for a couple to read in fact, I hope that each and every couple gets this book in their hands as soon as they realize they are pregnant. This book will prepare women for birth in a way not found in other birth preparation books. What a gift Denise has given women and couples! Nicole Heidbreder. Director of International Development for DONA International.

I read this book after I had already given birth three times and I wish that I had had this book to refer to. Denise Spatafora really provides a tremendous amount of information about all the decisions around conceiving and giving birth. Each of my births was so different from the one before and I had little idea of what I could do to understand the process. Now I know. After reading Better Birth, you will feel empowered and prepared for the birth of your child. The book addresses women as intelligent, intuitive, and emotional people capable of making the best decision for themselves. I really appreciated the birth stories that pepper throughout the book. It provides the reader a way to personalize the information that a woman and her partner need about everything from conceiving, connecting with their unborn child, preparing for birth, giving birth the way that feels "right" for you , to postpartum. I think this book has some definite advantages over the other birthing books. It addresses factors that they ignore or hardly address including the affect of your emotions, thoughts, actions on your baby conceived or not!

The other thing that is great about this book is that it breaks things down into manageable parts and gives specific techniques that I wish I had had when I was pregnant. It talks about all the issues surrounding birth without instilling fear or dread. It describes all the processes around birthing allowing the reader to make informed decisions and to trust her own body. One of the best things in the book is the BornClear Toolbox which has a series of exercises on visualizations, meditations, affirmations, writing, breathing techniques, and art to help you alleviate your fear, connect with your baby and get ready for childbirth. This is THE book to get if you are pregnant or trying to conceive.

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I purchased this book a few months after I had decided to have a natural birth. It was a wonderful companion piece to the hypnobirthing class I was also taking.

Although the class was very informative, it was Denise's book that gave me the tools I needed to have a successful natural delivery. I credit this book with helping me understand childbirth on new level and giving me the courage to embrace the "beautiful pain" that comes with child birth. I was able to move past my fear and actually be excited for birth. As Denise says in the book, it's not only your child's birth, but the birth of you becoming a mother. I owe a lot to Denise and her book, my labor only lasted 13 hours, it was unmedicated, and a beautiful life changing experience. I would recommend anyone interested in a natural birth to get this book.

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good book. full of necessary info and makes the pregnant reader feel comfortable about all those little "pains" that scare us. Leaves the reader with a sense of security in her pregnancy and lots of information on the expectant 9 months and newborn baby care. Great book for pregnant mommies and daddies. a definite recommend.

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Denise's approach to childbirth changed my life as I prepared to bring our first son into the world. Better Birth carefully and thoughtfully outlines your options throughout the pregnancy and birthing process, in many cases giving you the pro and con of whatever choice you might make.

For us, the BornClear Toolbox was a lifesaver. It helped me understand that I can shape my birthing experience and allow my mind to lead my body in ways that were productive and healing. I attribute a HUGE part of my short (under 8 hrs!), unmedicated and amazing delivery to Denise. Denise lead us (my husband and I) to know ourselves better, including the possibilities and the limitations we put on our lives. In addition, her ability to tap into the major roadblocks to a positive birthing experience lead to other miracles, ones that positively affected the birth of our son.

If you are willing to take her words to heart you have an incredible opportunity to know yourself and your body better and perhaps even heal parts of yourself. Most important you can give your child the gentle birth he or she deserves. It is more than a book on having a better birth, it is a book on creating a better life.

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First Aid Manual

It shows how classic some information is and some things don't change. But others do change. CPR techniques had changes especially after learning about the AED+CPR technique from Singapore Armed Forces. How to handle cuts are too simple to have much changes and the main differences is the multitude of products to do first aids or the personal preferences of the first aider.

I am now a trained military medic and this book gives comprehensive information that balances well for beginners and yet not to be a dull reading for the experts. Lots of pictures and clear simple explanation is really the mark of DK books so it is difficult for me let it go until I learn much of CPR had changed and being a medic (for myself) for almost a decade means I can finally let this go. I believe I have enough of experience that I did not have when I was in high school. Graduated from it but perhaps I will need an updated version after 15 years.

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Gentle Birth Choices

Reading negative comments of writer who had positive hosp. birth experience in Austin, TX, i wish to point out that Texas has one of the most active midwifery associations in our country they have been instrumental in advancing natural birth practices in Texas. You were fortunate to have the options you shared they are still not the norm for hospital births in much of our country. I live in Virginia Beach, VA, am a nurse, mom and grandmom. Hosp. births here still leave a lot to be desired. Episotomies are standard, induction and c-section rate are very high. When I went to nursing school in the 1980's, I was not taught anything about natural childbirth, I was taught that women needed interventions and taught about the interventions. It wasn't until I became natural childbirth educator that I found out how our bodies really work during birthing and how to work with the body's natural birth capabilities. Many women live in localities where they need to be aware that they have other options than what is traditionally offered in their communitiesthey may have to fight for their right to have the birth of their choice. This book does an excellent job at empowering women to look for healthy birth choicesI look forward to the day when your experience of forward thinking and practices in a hospital setting is the norm, rather than the exception.

because it focuses on the mother-to-be naturally reclaiming the birth process. This book was one of my tried-and-true resources during my pregnancy while I was thoughtfully trying to decide what birth experience I wanted. I ended up making an informed decision to have a midwife-assisted natural homebirth, and it was the most exhilarating experience of my life. There is no other way I would want to bring a child into this world. I challenge any mother-to-be to think for herself, inform herself of all the options, and make the choice SHE (not just her OB/GYN) feels is right. Thank God a medically-controlled hospital birth is not the only option. Blessed are the babies who receive such a warm welcome into the world. And, my heart breaks for every innocent little soul who is yanked from his mother's womb by a pair of cold, latex-gloved hands in a cold, bright, sterilized hospital. Trust me, women...there IS a better way! You have all the resources and strength within you to have exactly the kind of birth you want.

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I picked this book up at the urging of my midwife and I am so glad I did. It basically describes my entire birth plan.. it make so much sense to choose to have a birth that is calm and natural instead of the usual hospital nightmare (like my first delivery)

It goes into detail about WHY women are scared of birth and what we can do to combat that. It also gives you reasons why a "conventional" hospital birth is not all it's cracked up to be.

I recommend this book to any friends of mine that are pregnant, I think it's important to be able to make detailed choices regarding the birth of your baby.

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Gentle Birth Choices is an excellent book for all expectant parents, regardless of their birthing intentions (i.e. birth center, home birth, hospital birth, natural birth or water birth). Moreover, childbirth educators of any affiliation will benefit from the information covered in the text and on video.

Gentle Birth Choices is riveting, yet powerful. Barbara Harper guides the reader through a history of birth and birthing procedures, dispels the myths perpetuated by the medical establishment and presents alternatives to hospital birth. However, for those who are unable to birth outside of a hospital, Ms. Harper provides guidance so that the reader may obtain the best, "gentle" birth possible. The book benefits expectant parents in that it presents them with options, some of which they may have not previously considered. Moreover, childbirth educators will not only find the book informative for teaching purposes, but also useful for influencing the medical establishment in a tactful manner.

Like the book, the video is an asset for both expectant parents and educators. Whether you have never seen a birth before or have witnessed thousands, the births contained in the video tape are absolutely beautiful and refreshing, relaxing yet empowering. After watching the video you will want to share it with everyone you know!

I wouldn't hesitate to recommend both book and video! In fact, I've already gone one further -I purchased it for my cousin who is expecting in April.

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This is an excellent book. The pictures are gorgeous, as usual Suzanne Arms has done terrific photography, and the descriptions of childbirth are pretty acurate. I must state though that every woman's experience of childbirth will be her own and be different so just because someone's childbirth was one way as described in this book it does not mean it will happen the same way for you. Technocratic birth is still the norm throughout the country and it is important to read books like this to prepare yourself should you be considering a hospital birth. The writer has obviously had a bad experience in the hospital, but many people have and I admire her wanting to share her experience as a warning to others. In my last hospital birth in 1999 I too was subjected to many of the interventions I did not want, for the third and final time I gave birth in the hospital. Never again. I wish I had read this back in 1995 before I had my first son and maybe things would have been different. Hospitals are for sick people, not pregnant women who are low risk. Also, someone else who reviewed here made some mention of a baby having an umbilical cord wrapped around its neck as a reason for c-sec, but that is not necessarily true. It is a small matter to unwrap a cord from around an infants neck as it is being born...I know as this happened with my son at his birth at home this past spring. If I had been in the hospital...would they have cut me open? Who knows?

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Your Thyroid: A Home Reference

This book tells a lot about the thyroid gland and how if affects the body. It uses some medical language that is deeper that most people understand.

You must know your disease and this is a great book to keep as a reference to understand thyroid disease.

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My sister recommended this book and my daughter loved it. It provided so much understanding of thyroid problems. I recommend it to anyone with thyroid problems.

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With all the irresponsible books out there on thyroid disease, it's sometimes difficult to discern which are the reputable ones and which are not. But be assured, this book is definitely reputable.

In fact, I use it to refute all the nonsense thyroid misinformation put out there by the charlatans and pseudo-experts. It's also great to use against the all-knowing, self-appointed thyroid advocates especially what's-her-name and what's-her-name (my two favorite restless Munchauseners).

The information contained in this book is invaluable. Conveyed in a style that's fit for laypersons trying to understand thyroid disease, it's an easy read. Plus the quirky illustrations add a bit of levity.

I say just get this book, read it, keep it out to refer back to, and use it to handily put them all into their rightful places.

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Taming the Paper Tiger at Home

Months ago I saw the author on a morning talk show. I already own so many books on organization and clutter reduction, I thought what good would another book on the subject do me? Recently, after spending hours going through piles of paper that had been on the dining room table for weeks, and ending up with half of the papers in smaller piles, I ordered this book. I also ordered "Taming the Paper Tiger at Work" for my husband who is also "organizationally challenged". These books are quick reads, motivating, and the method the author lays out for managing all the paper in our lives is practical and easy. My husband took his book to work and spent the next two days revamping his files and was excited about it. My dining room table has been paper free for two weeks, and I know where to find info if I need, and what "papers" need to filled out, or phone calls made. Not only is my house tidier with less papers laying around, I feel less anxious that I am "forgetting" something.

I really appreciate any good book on organization. I would like to thank the author for her great advice on how to divide and conquer your "action" papers. This book is a nice complement to "File, Don't Pile" which gives much more detail on how to organize your other paper mess which is your reference files. I recommend both.

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As a pastor, husband, father and caregiver to an ailing mother, I have more than my share of paperwork to manage at home. Hemphill has given me new hope that I can tame the paper tiger stalking on my increasingly cluttered desk! Her techniques are simple, easy to use and to understand. For anyone who is dealing with mountains of paperwork and is frustrated as a result, this title is a must-read!

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I would have rated this book higher if it had been the first book I read about organization. However, I purchased 5 at the same time while on a work space organizational kick. I read Organizing Your Workspace by Odette Pollar first as it states it's a quick read. Paper Tiger gave the same basic organization structure as Pollar's book, but with a more interesting and real tone than Pollar. However, Paper Tiger spent the second half of the book on the big picture of organizational organization, the home office, computer files, and long term maintenance of the filing system. Things I'm not interested in right now that I am in the overwhelming start of a new organizational process. This info may be helpful to me in a few months when I have established a routine and can concentrate on long term maintenance. I would have found more practical time saver tips and starting advise a better help.

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I'd read Barbara Hemphill's earlier book and was glad to see she's expanded it into two books now with the focus on work and home. Being a chronic paper hoarder means rereading this book occasionally before the paper overwhelms me.

She really understands what needs organizing and streamlined, from messages to catalogs, recipes, photos, bills, tax records and the endless stream of paper that flows through our lives. Setting up the systems to handle our troublesome paper clutter brings relief. Some of it you know already, and just need a reminder, but other tips give new ways to handle the growing piles of paper.

Very practical.

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Airbrushed Nation: The Lure and Loathing of Women's Magazines

Like author Jennifer Nelson, I was a women's magazine junkie. When I started freelancing, I broke in with women's and fitness mags, and was thrilled to see my name in print in some of my favorite magazines. As time went on, though, I began to question some of the work I was doing, and the editorial process overall. Airbrushed Nation captures the conundrum I (and many other freelancers) face--is it worth it to write for magazines that exist mainly to make women feel bad about themselves (or at least make them believe that they must improve themselves)? But the book goes beyond that question and exposes what really goes on behind the scenes, both good (educating women about important health and social issues, and encouraging them to pursue their goals and dreams) and bad (e.g., the emphasis on external beauty and its pursuit). Whether you love women's magazines, write for them, or simply want to know more about this powerful media influence, Airbrushed Nation is an eye-opening, smart, entertaining read.

When I was in my 20s I looked forward to picking up my copy of Cosmo every month. I did the quizzes, read about how to become irresistible to men and followed the suggested beauty tips with religious fervor. Then, in my 30s and entering motherhood, I switched from Cosmo to Women's Day and Family Circle. My forties widened the door to Good Housekeeping and Ladies Home Journal, with a touch of More thrown in for good measure. And one day, like everyone else who reads these magazines, I discovered that they said the same things over and over and over again. How to walk off the weight; how to please your man; how to get one in the first place; how to raise healthy, confident kids; etc, etc. Over time, the long narrative stories involving women who were a lot like me gave way to celebrity worship and information presented in little bits and bites as if I were too stupid to remain interested in anything longer than 300 words. The clothes were always out of reach (Hey editors, do you really think the average soccer mom is paying $695 for a dress to wear to the office????) and the women were all flawless: No wrinkles, no frizzy hair, no midriff bulge, perfect teeth -the whole nine yards of perfection. I finally figured out that the whole genre of women's magazines were really fairy tales in disguise. This book by Jennifer Nelson dissects the women's mag industry and confirms what any thinking woman has suspected for years: It's all smoke and mirrors. And very, very sexist, but in a way that makes it look like they're really feminists. I loved reading this and was particularly fascinated at how they manipulate photos. The little boxed asides are witty and interesting, too. It's one of those books that will make you read your favorite magazine from a completely different point of view, and a mesmerizing read that will keep you riveted from beginning to end. I suggest on ordering take-out before you open this book because you won't want to stop once you start.

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In the late 1950's, my first encounter with women's magazines was my grandmother's McCall's. In the late '60's I began reading Teen and Seventeen, moving on to the "seven sisters" described by the author. The long fictional stories and informative articles gave way to a predictable monthly fare of diet, relationship, fashion, beauty and recipe bytes. Not realizing why, I began to wonder if there was something wrong with me after reading an issue. Was I thin enough? Was I beautiful enough? Was I doing enough to keep my marriage happy? Was I preparing healthy, appetizing meals? Was I ignoring potential deadly hazards in my home or neighborhood? Was I a good mother? Jennifer Nelson peels back the layers and reveals fuzzy line between editors and advertisers as they manipulate women by instilling insecurities about themselves, knowing that they will be more likely to buy diet aids, beauty products and the latest fashions advertised in the magazine. From truth in advertising to the feminine fear factor this in depth book is a must read!

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Like the author, I started out reading Tiger Beat and Young Miss and considered myself a magazine junkie by the time I was 12. I then graduated to Teen, then Seventeen. I waited until I turned 17 before reading Seventeen. I purchased the bridal magazines when I got married (both times), and let the pages of Cosmo dictate my life until my first baby was born and my life was run by Parents, Parenting, American Baby, and Mothering. Now I have one teenager still at home and my three oldest children are adults and I find myself reading Woman's Day, Good Housekeeping, MORE, and AARP as I reached the big 50. After reading this book, I now laugh when I see the perfume strips in magazines. I am a big fan of Dove's real woman advertising compaign and glad to see it mentioned more than once in this book. Although I am and always will be a magazine junkie, I have a problem with the unrealistic look of the models in the magazines, and think that airbrushing is a shameful act. Everyone who reads women's magazines will see them differently and make more educated purchasing choices if they read this book. Great job!

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I am still reading, but so far I love her style and will no doubt recommend this to many people. My teenage daughter is also reading it and is learning a few things I already learned long ago. Maybe she'll think I'm smarter reading it from someone else!

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