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witbee's review against another edition
Extremely transphobic and racist. Couldn’t get through it
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia and Racism
rachelobl22's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
4.0
An amazing little collection of stories from midwifery. There is so many different types of women and birth stories to read about in here I definitely want to go back and read it again. My favourite of Peggy’s stories were “Mrs Purdue” in the beginning where she must deliver her former teacher. Another favourite where I can’t remeber the name was when she had half a baby in breach and her hand in the back of the car before the got to the hospital and were able to deliver. Also the 6th section about the legal issues with the lady. Very interesting stuff and good nonfiction.
kangokaren's review against another edition
5.0
This book is about the real life experiences of Peggy Vincent, a Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM). She does home deliveries in Berkley, CA during the 1970s-80s. This book is hilarious, sad, captivating, empowering, and very insightful into CNMs. Peggy is an excellent writer and storyteller. You can't help but tell your friends Peggy's stories.
anniewebb's review against another edition
5.0
First book I read to become a doula & I loved all the birth stories!!! The author is a midwife and each chapters details various birth stories & the people who were part of them. Loved her humanity & honesty in them!
christina_likes_to_read's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this book!!! I might be a little biased because all things birth fascinate me. But, I thought Peggy Vincent did a superb job of recording her story. I was hooked from her first birth to her last—at least the last one in the book. My one caution for this book, and it is a big one, is that it has some pretty FIERCE language at times. I was frustrated that the author included it so frequently. I have had a little bit of a hard time rating the book because everything about the book for me is 5 stars hands down except the language. This is one of those rare books that I want to buy. If I do, you can bet my sharpie and I will be doing our own editing. For that reason, I am going to rate this book 5 stars. I don’t recommend reading it as is, however if you can obtain an edited copy of this book I would highly recommend it. I thought it was amazing.
jwinchell's review against another edition
5.0
This one is a must-read for women who want to give birth naturally. Not as "hippy dippy" as Ina May Gaskin's books and approach, I loved that Vincent came to midwifery and home births through a traditional RN education and work in obstetrical wards. I loved the way she blended in her philosophy of labor and birth with stories of births she attended.
bethfalenski's review against another edition
5.0
Ever wonder what the birth of modern midwifery was like in 1960s, progressive California? This book will show you.
It's the journey of a woman who dares to believe that there is a better way for women to give birth than quietly lying on a metal table. This is her story.
She tells the story of many of the births she attended and they are amazing. The woman are so strong and brave. Many, if not all, give birth with no drugs at home. It will make women in their childbearing years think twice about how they want their next birth to unfold.
The story, unfortunately, does not have a super happy ending due to the fact that midwives were so pioneering at that time and generally unprotected by major insurance. Our author loses her practice.
But wow! It's worth a read for any woman.
It's the journey of a woman who dares to believe that there is a better way for women to give birth than quietly lying on a metal table. This is her story.
She tells the story of many of the births she attended and they are amazing. The woman are so strong and brave. Many, if not all, give birth with no drugs at home. It will make women in their childbearing years think twice about how they want their next birth to unfold.
The story, unfortunately, does not have a super happy ending due to the fact that midwives were so pioneering at that time and generally unprotected by major insurance. Our author loses her practice.
But wow! It's worth a read for any woman.
robbie779's review against another edition
5.0
I love reading midwife books and Peggy's writing style is easy and humourous. I've read all her other books and they're just as good. Highly recommend.
jessicarc88's review against another edition
5.0
Seriously one of the best books I've read in years (although it's been a few years of very limited reading). I loved all of the anecdotes of Vincent's years as a home birth midwife. It made me so excited to be a labor and delivery nurse.