Ina May's Guide to Childbirth
by Ina May Gaskin
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Book Reviews of Ina May's Guide to Childbirth
Book Review: Great book, should properly recognize Maya midwives
Summary: 4 Stars
Overall this book is wonderful, amazing, eye-opening, and a huge help to expectant moms. I loved it and passed it on to others who similarly appreciated it.
There was just one thing that bugged me. Ina May Gaskin talks about a manuever used in certain labor situations that she learned from indigenous Maya midwives in Guatemala. This technique is now named after Gaskin. It would be more fair and honest to honor (either individually or collectively) the Maya woman or women who originally taught her the technique. The technique name could include Gaskin as well as the name of the midwife (if taught by an individual) or their community, local organization, or particular ethnic/linguistic group.
Often people from industrialized nations gather local knowledge from indigenous people and people of the Global South and then use that information to write books, patent medicines, and in this case develop a midwifery technique, yet the original inventors or holders of the wisdom receive little or no recognition. That does not seem to be in keeping with Gaskin's very respectful attitude towards all people and her appreciation of different types of knowledge and experience.
Book Review: Good but dated
Summary: 3 Stars
I would give this book five stars if I were only rating its message - that moms can take back childbirth from the medical machine and make it a beautiful, natural, spiritual, safe and fulfilling event in their lives without unnecessary intervention. I love that!
However, this book was written in the 70s by a freethinker living in a commune. Ina May has done amazing work during her lifetime, but for the modern urban mom this book can seem a "million miles away." The language and references are clearly dated and can make the reader feel like she is reading the book HER mom read while pregnant.
Additionally, I think sometimes natural childbirth advocates purposefully downplay the pain and intensity of childbirth so as not to scare away undecided moms. I wish that, in this book and others, there could be more openness about the fact that a high number of moms experience excrutiating pain during labor, despite their commitment to a natural birth. Sometimes it is portrayed that the only moms who feel intense pain are the ones who are scared or unsure of their bodies or in an unfamiliar setting, almost blaming the mom for the pain.
Book Review: A great corrective to those "other" pregnancy books!
Summary: 5 Stars
What a relief to read this book and think of other moms and moms-to-be (and dads) reading and learning from it as well. The birth stories are interesting and inspiring, and the explanations of how the birth process works (or can work, if we let it) are clear and do some inspiring of their own. Ina May Gaskin's conversational, down-to-earth style and sense of humor make this book extremely accessible and fun to read. The birth statistics of Ina May and the other midwives on The Farm over the last 30 years are astoundingly good--who ever heard of a 1.4% Cesearean-section rate? They HAVE to be doing something right. (Conversely, American obstetricians, with a 24.4% c-section rate and rising, must be doing something wrong. The c-section rate has been rising along with the use of obstetric technology.)
Ina May Gaskin's way of looking at birth is not new--it's ancient!--but it sure is different. There are many, many great things to learn from in this book, whether you are a birth professional or a parent.
If you are pregnant and wondering how you can have a great birth experience instead of a painful and scary ordeal, READ THIS BOOK!
Book Review: Excellent Resource for Childbirth
Summary: 5 Stars
This is the most wonderful book. I have read other childbirth books (Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth; Birthing from Within; Hypnobirthing), but this one is the best by far. Ina May really teaches you to trust in yourself and in your body. I also realized how important it is to be comfortable with your care provider be it a midwife or doctor. (I'm thinking about switching after reading this book.) Anyone can give birth naturally and Ina May proves it with her stories from The Farm and statistics and strategies to acheive a good birth (not just a good outcome--healthy baby). I am going to recommend this book to every expectant mother I know (who does not think my idea to have natural chilbirth is totally insane . . . but maybe them, too!). Buy this book. You will love every minute reading it and you'll want to read it over and over. It is just so inspiring and empowering.
Just an update:
I gave birth 4 months ago, and it was this book that got me through natural childbirth, especially transition (I did "horselips" nearly the whole time). Ina May; thank you for giving me the natural childbirth I wanted!
Book Review: A Cure for Fear
Summary: 5 Stars
I would recommend this book (and do!) to any girlfriend who is pregnant and wondering what to expect from labor and delivery.
I was planning on a natural childbirth and was concerned about the pain I would face, and how I would be able to deal with it. I read this book from beginning to end and found the positive birth stories incredibly uplifting, empowering, and inspiring. I remembered some of the strategies the women used and applied them during my own labor, and they worked! I especially just kept thinking back to the fact that these women made it through--and made birthing a wonderful experience--and that experience was available to me, as well.
Is this book a tad hippie-dippy? Ok, a wee bit (but you should read Ina May's earlier book _Spiritual Midwifery_ if you think this has a lot of Peace & Love goin' on at The Farm). But overlook those aspects of the book that don't connect with your personal birthing philosophy and read it for the positive birthing stories--so opposite from the horror stories we see on Discovery Health Channel and hear from well-meaning friends and family!