Natural Childbirth the Bradley Way: Revised Edition by Susan McCutcheon-Rosegg, Erick Ingraham (Illustrator), Robert A. Bradley (Introduction)

Wonderful book!by Anonymous

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September 12, 2009: It's been a while since I read this book, my "babies" are 16 & 17 now. I had been going to an ob/gyn with my first, got some answers I didn't like when I was approx. 7 months along and fired her. I got involved with a homebirth midwife in our area and crash-coursed myself with this book. I should also mention that I quit Lamaze after one class when I argued with the instructor (typical hospital setting, typical hospital procedures, etc.). My first child was born at home after 44 hours from the time my water broke to the time of the birth. I was really in great spirits, not much discomfort...the hardest part was transitioning. He was a 10lb, 2oz beautiful blonde boy! My mother was the biggest opponent of my choice to homebirth, but I think she changed her opinion when she arrived at my house within an hour of birthing and I was up, walking around, and even greeted her at the door. My second birth was somewhat shorter, 11 pounds handsome brunette boy, and completely natural and comfortable (again...transition was a little ouchy). My husband likes to tell people that I brought him dinner after having a baby (I didn't cook...a friend did that)

I have given this book to expectant friends. I truly love this book! It is so clearly written and full of great information. Many people have said that this is the only book to read if you are expecting. I tend to agree with them...it's not written by a "cookie-cutter birth" perspective. Even now, with younger women I know starting families, I stress the importance of reading this book. Knowledge is power, and I think that the more you know going into a pregnancy, the more you will get out of the whole experience.

An encouraging perspective.by LJD

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March 02, 2009: This book was recommended to me by a friend who could see how anxious I was about childbirth. Despite being a nurse myself, my perceptions of childbirth had more to do with pain than enjoyment. After reading this book, I felt so empowered as a woman! I finally understood the purpose of the childbirth process because the author uses such wonderful analogies. It also helped my husband understand what my body would be going through. The author is clearly biased towards all-natural childbirth, focusing heavily on the risks associated with most traditional interventions. She also talks about the hospital policies and routines as though they aren't in place for patient safety or positive outcomes. I would recommend this book, but would also encourage a reader to take it with a grain of salt. I am not planning on having a purely natural childbirth, but am grateful for this book because it put a lot of my fears at ease.