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4.18 AVERAGE
4.18 AVERAGE
When I think back 16 years ago, to my first pregnancy and ALL of the books I read on the subject of childbirth, the one that comes to mind first and foremost is Spiritual Midwifery. Spirtual Midwifery is a mixture of compelling personal stories, and factual information, with a definitively hippie twist, that somehow made childbirth seem like something beautiful and normal instead of a medical procedure. There is no possible way I would have had a natural childbirth without reading this book! Not something I would give everyone, but a book that I will NEVER forget!
I really enjoyed this book and Ina May's no-nonsense approach to childbirth. She helps present childbirth as a precious and sacred thing, not to be feared and merely endured, but to appreciate and embrace. The first half of the book is a step inside multiple women's childbirth experiences and the second half of the book covers more educational information. Much of second half is very detailed in an almost textbook fashion as it is geared toward midwives, but the information is very understandable. Ina May has a very hippie outlook on life and there are many hippie phrases used in the telling of the birth story, but I was still able to appreciate and understand where they were coming from without it being too distracting.
Holy wow, where do I even start? I guess I have to start by saying two things:
1) This book changed my life.
2) I think every single woman should read this book.
Although the central theme of the book is midwifery, in essence, it's just this really, really amazing book that makes you feel incredible and powerful about being a woman. I think there needs to be a lot more of that in the world today. Woman are brought up to feel bad about being a woman. We're taught that our bodies are ugly and unhealthy and that they will turn on us. We're taught that our feminine energy is somehow wrong and inappropriate. We need to learn to rejoice in our bodies and our femininity and to claim our power as women... and I think this book, through an explanation of the ideas that constitute what Ina May Gaskin calls "spiritual midwifery" and a plethora of positive, joyful birthing stories, helps one to do just that. I strongly recommend that EVERY woman read this one!
Ina May Gaskin is absolutely my hero.
1) This book changed my life.
2) I think every single woman should read this book.
Although the central theme of the book is midwifery, in essence, it's just this really, really amazing book that makes you feel incredible and powerful about being a woman. I think there needs to be a lot more of that in the world today. Woman are brought up to feel bad about being a woman. We're taught that our bodies are ugly and unhealthy and that they will turn on us. We're taught that our feminine energy is somehow wrong and inappropriate. We need to learn to rejoice in our bodies and our femininity and to claim our power as women... and I think this book, through an explanation of the ideas that constitute what Ina May Gaskin calls "spiritual midwifery" and a plethora of positive, joyful birthing stories, helps one to do just that. I strongly recommend that EVERY woman read this one!
Ina May Gaskin is absolutely my hero.
Marking as finished, because I don’t intend to read the second half of this - the textbook-like section- as a midwife who is well versed in the current literature. Ina May is a midwifery legend, but enough of this section contradicts modern practice that I stopped reading.
The birth stories were excellent, and it’s always refreshing to read about personal journeys on the farm and the positive approach to holistic childbearing.
The birth stories were excellent, and it’s always refreshing to read about personal journeys on the farm and the positive approach to holistic childbearing.
The birth of my daughter (planned induction, hospital, complicated pregnancy) was magical - this book was an important part of my journey in achieving that.
Some birthing books give guidance on the practicalities and physiology of giving birth. There’s also a few really interesting histories of the medicalisation if birth, particularly in the context of Western countries. But Ina May’s classic does these things too, in addition to emphasising the importance of the spiritual preparation needed to get through pushing a mini-human into the world!
While there’s some stuff in Spiritual Midwifery which can be a bit cringe, and I often had to remind myself this book was a product of its time, I do think if you’re expecting, or someone close to you is, or if you’re just interested in birth - there’s more than enough gold (and a few giggles) here to keep you reading. I’d also say it’s relevant whether you’re intending on a hospital or home birth, induction, c-section or whatever.
Some birthing books give guidance on the practicalities and physiology of giving birth. There’s also a few really interesting histories of the medicalisation if birth, particularly in the context of Western countries. But Ina May’s classic does these things too, in addition to emphasising the importance of the spiritual preparation needed to get through pushing a mini-human into the world!
While there’s some stuff in Spiritual Midwifery which can be a bit cringe, and I often had to remind myself this book was a product of its time, I do think if you’re expecting, or someone close to you is, or if you’re just interested in birth - there’s more than enough gold (and a few giggles) here to keep you reading. I’d also say it’s relevant whether you’re intending on a hospital or home birth, induction, c-section or whatever.
So this doesn't really fit the profile of a well-written book -- it's disorganized and all over the place, but I just love reading this author & you will not convince me otherwise!
Beautiful birth stories. Great information for students in the ending
The book that launched the home birth movement in the 70s. Ina May Gaskin and her fellow midwives delivered 2,000 babies between 1970-2000 with only a 1.4% cesarean section rate.
A bit New Age-y for my taste, as they refer to everything in the birthing process as an exchange of “energy” to get the baby out. But the principles they talk about can be applied regardless.
Something I appreciated was how they recognize the sacredness of each birth and that something spiritual is definitely happening - a new soul is entering the world. I also appreciate their recognition that the baby plays an active role in labor and his/her needs should be considered equally with the mother’s.
The first half of the book is all birth stories (70+ of them) and the second half is midwifery advice (although I’ve read online it’s not all evidence-based). Overall a fascinating read.
A bit New Age-y for my taste, as they refer to everything in the birthing process as an exchange of “energy” to get the baby out. But the principles they talk about can be applied regardless.
Something I appreciated was how they recognize the sacredness of each birth and that something spiritual is definitely happening - a new soul is entering the world. I also appreciate their recognition that the baby plays an active role in labor and his/her needs should be considered equally with the mother’s.
The first half of the book is all birth stories (70+ of them) and the second half is midwifery advice (although I’ve read online it’s not all evidence-based). Overall a fascinating read.
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
slow-paced