Suggested Reading
List.
The aim of this reading list is to point you in the
direction of some really wonderful books, that have been
written especially for women like yourselves. Please try to
remember -
"With
knowledge we can make choices that lead to
empowerment, and healing, through
birth."
Become informed of your birth choices, find healing by
reading of other women's experiences which may be so similar
to your own, be inspired by the challenges these same women
face and overcome. Realise the value these books hold in
that they will open doors within your mind that will lead to
your own healing, through achieving the birth experience you
crave, by allowing you to have faith in the wonderful
ability your body has to birth naturally no matter how your
previous baby/babies were born.
Some of these wonderful books are now 'out of print' but
you may still be able to find them in libraries (especially
midwifery centre libraries) or borrow them from friends,
etc. So I will make a note beside those books, so that you
are aware that they can no longer be bought new through a
book retailer.
1). A guide to effective Care in Pregnancy and
Childbirth.
Enkin et al, 1995 (3rd Edition - English, published in
Dec, 2000.)
The essential guide for midwives, doctors and parents. An
excellent, easy to read source of accurate up-to-date
research information about all aspects of prenatal, birthing
and postnatal care, including caesareans and VBAC.
2). Silent Knife.
Nancy Wainer Cohen & Lois J Estner, 1983 (USA)
Invaluable reading for anyone planning a VBAC. Examines the
causes of the increases in c/section rates, the dangers of
c/section, and ways to avoid them. Also includes many
personal VBAC and caesarean stories.
3). Natural Childbirth after Caesarean - A
Practical Guide.
K. Crawford & J. Walters, 1996 (USA)
Covers the medical facts about VBAC, choosing a supportive
health care provider trained in VBAC and preparation for
VBAC.
4). Open Season.
Nancy Wainer Cohen, 1991 (USA)
Further information following after Silent Knife.
5). Optimal Foetal Positioning.
Jean Sutton & Pauline Scott (NZ) 2nd edition, 1996.
(*Exclusively available from
CAPERS)
Optimal foetal positioning is a simple and commonsense
approach to help align the foetus in the maternal pelvis
before labour begins.
6). Transformation through Birth.
(*Available from
CAPERS)
Claudia Panuthos, 1984 (USA)
Includes a chapter on the psychological and emotional
aspects of caesareans and VBAC.
7). Trust Your Body! Trust Your Baby! - Childbirth
wisdom and caesarean prevention.
Andrea Frank Henkart, 1995 (USA)
A fresh approach to the challenges, fears and decisions
involved in giving birth, including discussion on VBAC.
8). Your Body, Your Baby.
T. Libesman & V. Sripathy, 1996 (Aust)
Women's legal rights from conception to birth. Challenges
the myth that "doctor knows best". Information about
consequences, risks, alternatives, legal rights and
responsibilities.
9). The VBAC Companion.
Diana Korte, 1997 (USA)
In The VBAC Companion, Diana Korte explains the risks and
benefits of both VBACs and repeat cesareans. She tells how
to work on overcoming fears about labor, how to find a
VBAC-friendly doctor (or midwife) and hospital (or birth
center), and how to get extra support, from a labor
assistant, childbirth educator, or VBAC support group.
10). Caesarean Birth in Britain: A Book for Health
Professionals and Parents.
(*Not available from CAPERS or
Acegraphics)
By Colin Francome, Wendy Savage, Helen Churchill and Helen
Lewison,
Published in Association with the National Childbirth
Trust-Middlesex University Press. 1993.
This book is excellent because it considers women's
feelings, and experiences of surgical birth, as well as
providing much sought-after information.
11). Songs from the Womb: Healing the Wounded
Mother.
(*Not available from CAPERS or
Acegraphics)
By Benig Mauger Collins Press, Dublin, Ireland.
208 pages. ISBN 1-898256-54-3 (1998).
Based on her experiences as a birth teacher, therapist, and
mother, and backed by recent research in pre- and perinatal
psychology, the author emphasizes that prenatal life is
formative, creating patterns we carry into later life.
"Birth," she says "is an experience which is deeply engraved
in our souls, leaving traces that permeate our lives.
12). Women's Bodies, Women's Wisdom.
By Dr. Christiane Northrup.
1998 (UK). 836 pages.
A book full of the wisdom that women hold within themselves,
and knowledge that we can use in achieving inner healing
that will affect all aspects of our physical health , and
our life.
13). Parenting by Heart
By Pinky McKay, 224 pg's,
Publication: May 2001
How to cope with the 'birth nazis' and the 'nipple
police'.
'Parenting by Heart' shows you how to stand up for yourself
against the pressure to be a perfect parent (as well as
partner and lover).
14). VBAC Sourcebook and Teaching
Kit.
By Nicette Jukelevics and Ruth Ancheta
224 pages, three-hole punched/shrink-wrapped
Full of graphs, statistics, understanding, etc. Aimed at
Childbirth Educators, but a valuable tool full of VBAC
information.
Available from:
15). Birth As a Healing Experience: The Emotional
Journey of Pregnancy Through Postpartum
By Lois Freedman
Haworth Press, NY, 117 pgs, 1999.
Presents the period of pregnancy through postpartum as an
important opportunity for a woman's growth and healing from
previous traumatic births, previous caesarean, pregnancy
losses or other losses. Women of all ages and care providers
of women will enjoy this wise perspective on the experience
of pregnancy, birth and postpartum as a sacred time in a
woman's life.
Listed on amazon.com and haworthpressinc.com (publisher is
Haworth Press, NY) for list of chapters, reviews by
colleagues, etc. The book is 117 pages with an index.
Published in 1999, in its second printing now. $18. soft
cover outside the US, hard cover is $48.
16) The Thinking Woman's Guide to Better Birth
By Henci Goer. (Henci's website - http://www.HenciGoer.com
)
For a pregnant woman, simply the best guide to making and informed
choice about maternity care. Brilliant - concise, research based and
easy to read.
17). Obstetric Myths versus Research Realities.
By Henci Goer, 1995 (USA) 400 pages. (Henci's website - http://www.HenciGoer.com
)
A fresh look at current trends in routine maternity care. Explores
a variety of key obstetric issues with a view to making the medical
literature more accessible to health professionals. Has an excellent
chapter on how to read and understand research papers.
18). The VBAC Experience: Birth stories by parents
and professionals.
(*May difficult to get hold of
- try CAPERS)
Lynn Baptisti Richards, 1987 (USA)
Wonderful birth stories - plenty of inspiration. Includes
comments on medical aspects of particular births by
professionals.
19). The Expectant Parent's Guide to Preventing a
Caesarean Section.
(*May difficult to get hold
of!)
Carl Jones (USA)
20). An Easier Childbirth: A Mother's Guide for
Birthing Normally.
(*May difficult to get hold of -
try CAPERS)
Gayle Peterson, Shadow & Light Publications, Berkeley,
California, 1993
Not specifically about VBAC, but very useful for exploring
and healing previous birth experiences.
21). Pregnancy as Healing Vol II (Caesarean Birth:
Risk and Culture).
(*May be difficult to get hold
of - try some US websites.)
Gayle Peterson & Lewis Mehl, 1984 (USA)
22). Childbirth Choices.
(*Out of print.)
Bennett, Etherington and Hewson, 1993 (Aust)
Factual information about the safety of c/sections and
VBAC's and other choices to be made during the childbearing
years. Easy to read format.
23). Birth After Caesarean: The Medical
Facts.
(*Out of print.)
Dr Bruce L Flamm, 1990 (USA)
Statistics on the world's largest study on VBAC. Easy to
read, question and answer format.
24). Artemis Speaks: VBAC stories and natural
childbirth information.
(*Out of print. - Though it may
be available through Amazon.com)
Nan Koehler - out of print now... you'll need to
borrow a copy from someone (usually available at women's
resource libraries though).
25). The Caesarean Experience.
(*Out of print.)
Sarah Clement, 1991 (Eng.)
Discusses the emotional and physical challenges of caesarean
birth and VBAC.
26). Caesarean Birth: A reassuring guide for
Australian parents.
(*Out of print.)
Zena Armstrong, 1990 (Aust)
Clear, precise and detailed information on the medical
reasons for caesareans, choices available and the operation
itself. Practical information about coping with a caesarean,
breastfeeding after a c/section and post-operative
exercises.
27). Unnecessary Caesareans: Ways to avoid them.
(*Out of print.)
Diony Young and Charles Mahan, 1989 (USA).
How to decrease the likelihood of a caesarean, and suggestions on
how to increase the potential for a good outcome, should a caesarean
become unavoidable. Useful resource for educators and parents.
28). Birthing the Easy Way - Learning the Hard Way.
By Sheila Stubbs, RPN, LLL Leader, CBE, doula, homebirthing
VBAC mom of 6. Not yet officially published, this book is available
direct from Sheila through her website at: http://communities.msn.com/birthingtheeasyway
..."After giving birth at home, I was often told I was "lucky."
It seems that people expect the worst to happen during birth and are
surprised by normalcy..."
29). The Scientification of Love.
By Michel Odent. London: Free Association Books, 1999.
About the hormonal and essential aspects of woman that contribute
to birth, and critiques the current birthing models on interventions,
especially those happening around the actual birth - just before,
during and just after. Research shows that any interruption (either
anaesthetic, prophylactic or surgical) to the normal birth process
produces a disruption in the bonding and parenting process. Odent
suggests that birth is like praying or any other ecstatic activity
(sex, eg) - it requires a sense of privacy and safety for the birthing
mother for it to happen normally.
30). The Caesarean.
By Michel Odent. England. 2004.
Why do some countries have a 10% caesarean birth rate, and others
more than 50%? Why have procedures such as forceps deliveries not
been eliminated by the C-section? What is the birthing pool test?
Is it easy to breastfeed after a caesarean? Why are different approaches
taken to scheduled C-sections, C-sections during labour and emergency
C-sections? What do we know about the long-term consequences of being
born by caesarean?
Pamphlets available through
Acegraphics:
- So You are Thinking About VBAC
- Yes, I'm having a VBAC
- VBAC Checklist.
Free catalogues including many of the above books
are available from:
You may be able to borrow the above books from your local
library, NMAA, the Childbirth Education Association, your
local Homebirth Association, a Women's Health Centre, a
Women's Pregnancy and Childbirth Resource Centre, or a Baby
Health Clinic. You could request that one of these bodies
purchase the books that you want.
*If you have any suggestions, of books to include on this list, please
contact us by email at: Birthrites
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