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A review by avidly_abigail
Spiritual Midwifery by Ina May Gaskin
3.0
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.