The Birth Book: Everything You Need to Know to Have a Safe and Satisfying Birth (Sears Parenting Library) by William Sears, Martha Sears Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of The Birth Book: Everything You Need to Know to Have a Safe and Satisfying Birth (Sears Parenting Library)
Book Review: the best book on childbirth
Summary: 5 Stars
I think this is the best book available on childbirth. I strongly disagree with a previous reviewer who stated that the book is frightening, trying to scare women into having a natural childbirth, and is anti-doctor. I was actually apprehensive before reading the book that this would be the case. But as a matter of fact, my husband is in medical school and I'm headed there, and I find this book to be very pro-doctor. Dr. and Mrs. Sears have presented an excellent vision of the cooperation between midwives and obstetricians, one in which midwives help women through routine births but are prepared to refer to the OB whenever necessary. OBs always tend to high-risk pregnancies and births. This book also presents all of the options for pain relief, including narcotics and epidurals, and even include birth stories in the end from women who had medicated births and were happy with them. Of course the Sears are biased, since they think unmedicated birth is ideal, but they make sure to state that some women do feel very fulfilled by medicated births. They also instruct all women to be prepared for the necessity of medical intervention while doing everything they can to avoid it.
If you would like to do your best to have a natural childbirth, or even if you know you want medication but would like additional methods for handling the discomfort, stress, and fatigue of childbirth, this book is a must-read. I have not yet had my first baby, so I haven't had the opportunity to use the Sears' advice during childbirth. However, in deciding what I want from the birth, and in preparing my body for the birth, I have found this book extremely useful. I hope I will be able to have a natural childbirth, but even if in the end I do not, I know that I will be as educated as possible and I will make the right decisions when the time is right. I am thankful to Dr. and Mrs. Sears for writing this book.
Book Review: A staple of any childbirth library
Summary: 5 Stars
It is a good basic book. It explains the stages of labor and what to expect. It also addresses all the prelabor signs, symptoms and discomforts that many moms experience and what they mean. It has good info on all the different scenarios out there- inductions, pain meds, VBACs, c-sections, unmedicated births, etc. I think that the information on relaxation in birth is very good. The birth story chapter has a good cross section of birth experiences so don't just expect unmedicated stories.
I worry that some moms will by-pass this (and all Dr. Sears' books) because they have preconcieved ideas about the author. They assume that it will be all about "touchy feely" birthing/ parenting. That is in there too but there is even more solid, neutral birth information. Yes, they do lay out the risks of pain meds and interventions. It would be dishonest and incomplete if they left that out. You can get that kind of biased (skewed towards the medicalized version of birth) in many hospital birth classes. I think moms should make whatever choice they feel is best for their birth (drugs, no drugs, VBAC, ERCS...) BUT I do think they owe it to themselves and their unborn child to make an informed choice. This book will help mom do that.
This book totally helped me feel more confident, even excited, about giving birth. It was THE book that got me interested in childbirth. I read it at the beginning of my 2nd trimester and am so glad that I read it! "The Pregnancy Book" by the same authors might be handy to have around if you have a long ways to go.
Book Review: Great information, easy to read book
Summary: 5 Stars
Dr. Sears Birth Book is awesome! It's easy to read and well laid out. He's an experienced pediatrian, with life experience of birthing and raising kids. There's lot of personal input, both from him and his wife, Martha. I read this book when I was pregnant with my second child and learned so much! I like his easy, natural approach. I highly recommend!Book Review: Frightening
Summary: 1 Stars
I read this book, along with many others, before the birth of my first child. I found it to be very biased and thought the authors try to scare their readers into having a natural childbirth.
I went the first six of my 15 hours of labor without pain medication..... since Mrs. Sears had labors under six hours, maybe she can't relate, but the pain is excruciating, especially after many hours of it. I found that having an epidural helped me to enjoy the birth experience much more than I would've if I'd gone "natural." The authors of "The Birth Book" seem to want mothers who don't go through the birth experience exactly as they did to feel guilty that they've harmed their babies.
The book is written as if it's some sort of warning against all of the "evil" doctors out there, just waiting to sabotage your birth and cause your baby many problems by inflicting them with needless drugs and procedures.
If you're looking for a book to give you your options, in a neutral, honest manner, this is NOT the book for you.
Book Review: Lots of Info; Easy to Read
Summary: 5 Stars
This book has lots of information, is very easy to read and is supported by authors who are medically trained and run a Pediatric practice at the same time as having 8 kids! Excellent resource - a must to read during your last trimester!