Natural Childbirth the Bradley Way: Revised Edition by Susan McCutcheon-Rosegg Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Natural Childbirth the Bradley Way: Revised Edition
Book Review: Best birthing book
Summary: 5 Stars
This was the most helpful book I used to get ready for labor. Yes, the illustrations are quaintly old fashioned but so is natural childbirth! The way McCutcheon explains what's happening to your body during labor really helped me in visualizing during my own labor- which helped me relax and go through 13 hours without any drugs. But... DON'T READ THIS BOOK TOO EARLY, I opened it in the first trimester and was completely freaked out by stuff that was no big deal by the third trimesterBook Review: better than the other "Bradley" book
Summary: 4 Stars
Although I do not subscribe to the Bradley method or any other specific childbirth method, I do find this book to be quite helpful in knowing what to expect during labor. The chapters on the physical and emotional experience of labor, and what a labor companion can do to be truly helpful and supportive, are excellent.
I've read "Husband-Coached Childbirth" by Bradley and definitely recommend this book INSTEAD. The original book by Bradley is extremely condescending (he actually says that modern women need a "coach" because we don't know what to do on our own. Right, fathers are more qualified in birth than mothers? Hello... if that were true, then the fathers would have the ovaries!).
This book takes what is useful from Bradley's method and puts it into a friendlier and more respectful context. It acknowledges the extremely important role of the father (or other labor companion) in birth, without denying the mother's primary role and inherent capabilities. Definitely recommended for first-time parents and those who plan to give birth without medical interference.
Book Review: Indispensible, practical
Summary: 5 Stars
This book is indispensible for any mother or couple who truly wants a natural (unmedicated) childbirth. In regards to being updated, as discussed in other reviews, I agree that the information about hospital procedures and birth technology is probably outdated. HOWEVER, that is not the main strength of this book. That info can be found in any number of more recently published books about natural childbirth. What this book DOES do brilliantly is describe actual exercises, positions, tactics, relaxation, and more ways to help you achieve an unmedicated birth. Many, many diagrams, drawings and photos (nude, to be sure), a very practical "How-To." The chapter I found most fascinating and helpful was the "Emotional Signposts" of labor. This goes way beyond judging progression of labor by measuring centimeters (very arbitraty), and teaches you to recognize stages of labor by evaluating the mother's mood, actions, reactions, etc. My husband knew exactly when I was in transition simply by the way I was talking, and knew how to encourage me through it! An excellent companion for this book is Dr. Robert Bradley's "Husband-Coached Childbirth." I also highly recommend taking a Bradley class, but if you cannot this book is the next best thing.Book Review: Good, Informative Childbirth Information
Summary: 4 Stars
Although this book is somewhat out of date now since the last publication was in 1995, it contains a lot of good information on the childbirth process. A good read even if you aren't planning to forgo all labor medications. Book Review: Very useful information
Summary: 4 Stars
This is the second time that I read this book, now with our second child, and it was very helpful to have the reminders that I had forgotten after our first birth experience. The relaxation and emotional signpost information is very accurate in my experience, and anyone who wants a natural childbirth with no medical intervention should read this book.