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 past’ looks at the importance of processing your own birth experience if it was a negative one, grieving for any miscarriages and ensuring that you are well in mind as well as body. Issues are touched on that other writers do not go near such as a few paragraphs encouraging couples to think about what action they might take if they are given bad test or scan results.
Adela uses real examples of how her listening skills and homeopathic remedies have helped women. Written in a gentle, understanding style these are considered pages which say a lot in a short space and aim to guide discussion between couples rather than give strict advice.
Chapters take you through the labour and birth ‘what to expect’ and ‘what do to’, but briefly and calmly outlining the key issues to consider. This is not an extensive biology lesson or ‘how to’ manual but rather a little book of helpful thoughts to get you going.
Adela takes a holistic view of the whole approach to pregnancy, labour, birth and the postnatal period understanding the emotional – or spiritual – side of this life changing event.
I recommend this book for women looking for the supportive views of other women. Having had the pleasure of meeting Adela, reading this book conveyed to me the gentle wisdom I felt face to face. That is a good place to start for most of us.
This sounds like a wonderful book and definitely worth getting hold of. I took classes in hypnobirthing in Surrey, England with a great teacher and had a wonderful birthing experience, so I can’t recommend it highly enough!
Good luck with your book
Thank you; get hold of it and pass it on!