Doula and writer Adela Stockton has produced a small, easy to read book that will be of interest to a wide variety of women, in particular those looking to create the circumstances within themselves to enjoy a gentle birth. Adela’s premise is that the capacity to birth gently is within yourself. A chapter titled ‘Clearing the ...
Category Archives: Parenting
How Mothers Love by Naomi Stadlen
This book is based on the conversations of mothers with psychotherapist Naomi Stadlen in her weekly discussion group run for over 20 years at Janet Balaskas' Active Birth Centre in London. Reading this book as a mother it made me smile and grimmace. The most private truths of joy and sadness, guilt and pleasure are ...
Call The Midwife
Last night was the first in a series dramatising the writings of Jennifer Worth based on her experience of being a midwife in the 1950s and '60s in the East End of London. As green as she was when she first arrived I doubt even a seasoned midwife from any era would have been ...
The Babymoon Experience by Caroline Deacon
The Babymoon Experience feels like a chatty conversation between friends for the purpose of giving an overview of supportive thoughts and advice on pregnancy, birth and the postnatal period. It is easy reading in a clear and informal style, good on positive information and helpful tips. For that reason it is a good introductory ...
The Birthplace cohort study: health outcomes by planned place of birth
What is the Birthplace cohort study? This 2 year English study (April 2008-2010) looked at 64538 low-risk births involving 90% of all midwifery units in England to consider the safety, cost-effectiveness and availability of current maternity services in the 4 available locations: hospital obstetric units (OU), alongside midwifery units (AMU), freestanding midwifery units (FMU) (collectively ...
“Fathers-To-Be Handbook: A Road Map for the Transition to Fatherhood” by Patrick Houser
Guest blogger Sarah Buchanan reviews the Fathers-to-be handbook. Towards the end of this superb book, Patrick, touches upon a thought provoking question. In earlier times the role of the father as protector was to guard the labouring mother. Imagine him standing at the opening of their cave, club in hand on the lookout for ...
“Birth Reborn” by Michel Odent
Guest blogger Sarah Buchanan reviews 'Birth Reborn' by Michel Odent. Michel Odent wrote 'Birth Reborn' in 1984 and subsequent editions were printed in 1994 and 2005. During the 1970s and early 80s, Odent led the maternity unit at Pithiviers Hospital in France and this book is an account of his time there. This is ...
“The Thinking Woman’s Guide to a Better Birth” by Henci Goer
Informed Choice If there is a conversation about 'rights' to be had around birth then the 'right' for mothers to make informed choices must be number one. Henci Goer describes herself as a Birth Activist, an American who has written extensive articles as well as books including the very popular and much quoted "Obstetric Myths Versus ...
Diary of a free range pregnancy: Birth
My Uber parenting day Got up, had irregular twinges through morning, had friend for brunch, put toddler down for nap, told friends coming to tea to come, continued twinging lying on the sofa, farmed toddler out to neighbours for tea, told friends coming for tea not to come, birthed baby, champagne and sausages for supper, in ...
“Stand and Deliver” by Emma Mahony
The rise in books for mothers It is gratifying to see a huge rise in the past 10 years of books about pregnancy, birth and parenting written by mothers for mothers. Particularly books about birth. This is a field every woman can become her own expert in because for every woman it is a unique and personal ...