How to Have a Gentle and Positive Birth Experience:

Gentle Birth Choices by Barbara Harper, R.N. is the best guide to having a positive birth experience that I have seen yet. I desire so much for everyone to have the empowering knowledge of what they can do to have awesome, safe births and this book thoroughly discusses and shows proof for what ingredients make up a wonderful and safe birth experience, far better than I can. It empowers you to have the birth you want, and suggestions for doing that in a variety of environments - home, birthing center, or hospital. It speaks my heart of what I hope for everyone and describes not only what I have experienced, but what numerous others that I have had the pleasure to meet and know have experienced, and what I hope you are excited to have and make happen. The DVD that comes with it is an incredible illustration of what a birth can be like, how peace can be infused so deeply in birth. May you be able to visualize yourself having an equally rewarding experience..

In addition to possibly being available at your library or gotten from a walk-in book store, www.superbookdeals.com has this title available for $12.99 plus reasonable shipping, one of the cheapest places I have seen online for this title. Many times a library will get a title such as this for you from another library, or what has happened for me and others I know, is that they will purchase the book you request for their own library if they don't have it. If you find it helpful, encourage your library to stock it and tell your friends about it! When I know someone who is pregnant, I of course share my experience and give them this overview that I have written along with my copy of the book for them to read if they would like.

Gentle Birth Choices by Barbara Harper, R.N.

There are some personal stories of how women came about choosing gentle births and their delight with them sprinkled throughout the book, in various chapters as a compliment to the facts and explanations.

Foreword and also the Introduction - very valuable, the "why" of gentle birth, the foundational reasonings of the book

Chapter 1: Gentle Beginnings - discusses each specific, suggested ingredient for a gentle birth

Chapter 2: The Medicalization of Childbirth - a quote from the first paragraph explains this chapter the best - "In order to evaluate the efficacy of modern obstetrical practices, it is important to first understand how some of these technical interventions originated and what attitudes they reflect." I was amazed at how some common practices began for reasons that are no longer applicable to our society, or that were based on faulty medical understanding of the time, and yet we still do them.

Chapter 3: Dispelling the Medical Myths - Probably my favorite chapter in the whole book! Gives real proof of the problems with how things are typically done in America, or what is typically thought of certain birth situations. Though the medical myth "Once a Cesarean, Always a Cesarean" may not apply to you, it does discuss ways to avoid getting a C-section in the first place, and how things like epidurals, Pitocin, IVs, etc. are a slippery slope ultimately ending many times in C-sections.

Chapter 4: A Gentle Revolution - how positive changes in how birth is done have been and are coming about, eye-opening studies cited throughout that reiterate why intervention is detrimental

Chapter 5: Midwifery in America: A Growing Tradition - First part of the chapter is especially valuable as it illustrates the fundamental differences in the approaches to birth, so you can be aware of the territory you are entering when choosing a practitioner. Also describes certain "complications" that can easily and naturally be taken care of.

Chapter 6: Waterbirth - Why water is so amazing for both labor and birth, answers common curiosities about waterbirth. Also explains the practicalities of how to have a waterbirth, even in the hospital. Also gives interesting histories and descriptions of waterbirth around the world.

Chapter 7: The Mind-Body Connection - how your attitudes, fears, and feelings influence the process of your baby being born, how a cycle of fear, tension, and pain can be established which often leads to a prolonged birth process, and techniques to deal with labor and how to avoid this vicious cycle.

Chapter 8: Creating Gentle Birth Choices - tips and resources for the actual planning of your birth - covers all options, including how to better make a hospital birth how you want

Appendix A: Questions to Ask a Doctor - things that should be considered when choosing a doctor and what you need to know about the hospital you may have the baby in

Appendix B: Questions to Ask a Midwife - things one should ask when considering and choosing a midwife

Appendix C: Sample Birth Plan - steps to creating a birth plan and a sample of one

Appendix D: Sample Letter to Hospital - a sample of a letter requesting a waterbirth to be allowed

Appendix E: Resources - resources for more information

With this book, you have the information in your hands, it is up to you now what will happen when you bring your baby into the world. Will birth happen TO you or will you be in control of this important event? I have shared with you what I can and what I know because I'm always heartbroken when someone has a bad birth experience simply because she didn't know she had any other options.