International Cesarean Awareness Network

The Official Lamaze Guide: Giving Birth with Confidence

The Official Lamaze Guide is an accessible read that contends birth is a normal, healthy process, increases confidence by mythbusting the current cultural norm that pregnancy and birth are inherently filled with risk, utilizes evidenced-based, accurate and up-to-date information on common interventions and their effects (that mom and baby are often put at increased risk).

Trust Your Body! Trust Your Baby!

In the name of technological progress, hundreds of thousands of women have been coerced into relinquishing a most cherished right—the right to give birth in a gentle, supportive environment free of medical interventions, and instead welcome their children to the world through major abdominal surgery. The physical, psychological,and cultural implications of cesarean sections are thoroughly examined. Through insightful education and an understanding that can only come from experience, Henkart shows how every woman possesses the ability to overcome the fear and uncertainty commonly associated with birthing to be able to give birth without the intervention of major surgery.

Mind Over Labor

A quick and easy read, Mind Over Labor teaches deep breathing and visualization exercises used to create a more relaxed, comfortable, and calm birth experience.

Hypnobirthing

Mongan’s method combines hypnosis with learned relaxation and visualizations to help reduce fear and tension in childbirth. Without this tension, the author claims that birth can be more comfortable and even painless.

Husband-Coached Childbirth

The Bradley Method of childbirth emphasizes support and trusting in the body’s ability to give birth naturally. This book shows the husband (or partner) how to support the mother during birth, and also gives details on exercises and breathing techniques to be practiced ahead of time in preparation for and for use during birth.

Birthing the Easy Way. . . by Someone Who Learned the Hard Way

Told by a REAL professional- not a doctor, not a midwife, but a mother herself. Besides a few typographical and grammatical errors, this book is an easy read in which the author talks about her journeys in birth and parenting. Many women who have read the book admit to frequently laughing out loud, crying, and nodding in agreement as the author tells it like it is.

Active Birth

As the title implies, this book is about staying active in childbirth. Going beyond simply stating the importance of being active, this book goes into great detail about HOW to be active, including detailed descriptions, illustrations, and even showing how your birth partner can support and encourage an active birth.

Unassisted Childbirth

The author recounts her journey through her own birth experiences, unassisted by any medical professionals. Although some parts of this book may be questionable to some, this book still makes valid points about birth being primal and instinctual and is an excellent reminder of the abilities within us. It makes for an empowering read, even if planning an unassisted birth is not for you.

The Scientification of Love

Why do all cultures ritually disrupt the first contact between mother and new-born baby? Why has there hitherto been an evolutionary advantage in developing human potential for aggression rather than the capacity to love? Until recently love was the realm of poets, artists and philosophers. Latterly it has been studied from multiple scientific perspectives. Michel Odent argues that the specialist approach has overlooked the importance of love as a potential new strategy for human survival, and that the old survival strategy, the domination of nature and other human groups, is no longer appropriate. By weaving together data from a multitude of disciplines, Michel Odent is able to offer a number of insightful and exciting explanations, and makes the case for the adoption of radical new strategies for human survival.

Natural Childbirth the Bradley Way

Since the Bradley method was first introduced, a growing number of expectant parents have opted for natural childbirth, knowing that it’s safer than medicated or surgical delivery. This book provides information on what to expect during each stage of birth, and gives sound advice on how to prepare physically for labor using the Bradley method breathing and exercises.