The Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth by Henci Goer, Rhonda Wheeler Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of The Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth
Book Review: A biased book: the "Thinking Woman" wants to know BOTH sides!
Summary: 2 Stars
I was very disappointed with the content and overall tone of this book. I went to the library looking to find an unbiased guide of what to expect during the birth of my child, and instead came back with a very anti-medical diatribe that tells women why they should NOT have certain procedures. I wanted to be able to read about what to expect, and then MAKE DECISIONS FOR MYSELF. I question why this book was titled "The Thinking Woman's Guide" now, as it really gives you nothing to think about as much as it bestows guilt.
Goer fails to play devil's advocate on the side of obstetrics, again and again stating that there are no "pros" to some procedures and tests. Oddly enough, the blurb on the book's back cover reads "But when it comes to one of the most important decisions of your life - how you will give birth - it is hard to garther accurate, unbiased information." Interesting how Goer falls into the trap of bias herself.
Book Review: Why the big chip on the shoulder?
Summary: 1 Stars
One of the most frustrating things about buying and reading parenting or pregnancy books has been the proseltizing, condescening, and dogmatic views so many authors take. Parenting books would have you believe any other parenting method than their own is tantamount to child abuse. Pregnancy books would have you believe drinking a Coke or dying your hair should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. This book is the same - OB/GYNs are money grubbers who compromise what is best for mothers and babies, while midwives are all-knowing, altruistic souls who always do the right thing. The author makes no bones about it in the introduction. The author does quote studies, but uses studies showing negative benefit of some action or treatment to argue that the opposite must be superior - lack of data be damned. If you want a "thinking" guide, look elsewhere. If you need reassurance that "natural" childbirth is gonna make you and your baby superior to everyone else, go nuts with this one. Book Review: Could it be any more condescending? WHO exactly IS the Thinking Woman?
Summary: 1 Stars
I got mostly through the intro of this book and was immediately infuriated. I sent this book right back to the store.
In the intro, it says natural is better, breast is best, I am not going to pretend that my goal is anything other than to convert you to my way of thinking. So hello? Who exactly IS this thinking woman? I don't think it's the reader because it sounds like they will be told what to think, period, end of story. I do not appreciate condescending tones in informational books. They make it emotional when I am purely in search of facts. It's true, I have never done this before and I am not an expert. But at the same time, I am not an idiot. I can read and comprehend. I can participate in discussions and form my own opinions and beliefs. Thanks for being straightforward with me, but I didn't buy this book to see one point of view. I bought it to see what my options were. I firmly believe there is no one right answer to all of this, and I would like the leeway to see all the answers in a factual way to decide what I want to do. I will do the best I can, but I will not be put into a mold, thank you very much! Not any mold. Not the modern woman's "give me drugs now" mold, and not the natural woman's "hypnobirthing" mold, probably not Bradley or Lamaze either. I will decide what to pursue after I am finished gathering information.
I feel like it is CRUCIAL for women to get an overview of the various methods and to select a strategy based on whether it is something within their personality to do. Otherwise, I feel like it will be a waste of time when everything goes down as one will have to work as hard to "do the method" while already be working hard to get babies out.
I would not recommend this book if you are on the lookout for multi-faceted, non-biased, factual information. Intead, check out "The Birth That's Right for You" by Amen Ness. That book really gives you the lowdown on the birth process and a lot of different points of view on how women might cope based on their personality. It isn't a side-by-side comparison on the different methods, but it is a realistic starting point and is chock full of information to better help a woman understand what she is in for.
Book Review: good reference
Summary: 5 Stars
This book was recommended to me by my doula. I did not read this book cover to cover, but used it as a reference to look up various terms and interventions. It was nice to have some more info other than the typical "everyone does it so it must be safe" that I was hearing.
In the end, my goal was a natural birth in a hospital setting with as few interventions as possible. To prepare for this, my husband and I took a 12 week Bradley course and read the book Natural Childbirth the Bradley way. I had a successful, natural delivery and was glad I had done all the research.
I recommend this book for all pregnant women. Even if you plan to use more interventions than I did, you should still read up on any possible risks involved so you can make the best choices for you.
Book Review: Alarming Info
Summary: 5 Stars
After reading this book, it is alarming the medical risks pregnant woman are unknowingly taking in the United States. I learned what routine medical interventions can do more harm than good. Now my husband and I can make informed decisions with full understanding of the side effects before the overwhelming time of labor. The book explains that sometimes the cure is worse than the symptom. My only warning is that the book can be distressing for pregnant woman who may have limited options for the birth and that it may be helpful if the husband, a family member or friend read the book.