The Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth
by Henci Goer
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Book Summary Information
Author: Henci GoerIllustrator: Rhonda Wheeler
Edition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 1999-10-01
ISBN: 0399525173
Number of pages: 367
Publisher: Perigee Trade
Book Reviews of The Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth
Book Review: Wonderful, almost complete resource for expectant parents
Summary: 4 Stars
This is the book I wish I'd had when I was preparing for my first birth. It's a hefty, fully supported resource for informed decision making, covering nearly every situation a birthing woman might face. I was initially put off by the title, wishing it had simply been called Guide to a Better Birth (aren't all women "thinking" women?) But since the author challenges mainstream thought and medical dogma at every turn of the page, perhaps the title is fair warning: prepare to put on your thinking cap!
Henci Goer is upfront about her bias toward natural birth, and after reading this meticulously researched book it's hard to imagine how anyone could come away not fully convinced. She methodically demonstrates how many of the complications and dangers associated with medically micro-managed pregnancy and birth are iatrogenic (doctor caused) and avoidable.
I was particularly inspired by the clear information in support of VBAC (Vaginal Birth After Cesarean, pronounced V-Back) and the way the author gets right to the point: "The VBAC-lash is a particularly glaring instance of doctors abandoning their duty to patients and opting to look out for themselves at their patients' expense." (p. 166) Every woman contemplating elective or repeat cesarean needs this information. Goer makes it clear that cesareans, while necessary in some cases, are being done too often and are always a risky choice, never to be entered into lightly.
My only criticism is that she doesn't delve deeply enough into Group Beta Strep (GBS). Goer states that between 10% and 30% of healthy women are colonized with GBS. But she doesn't tell the reader what GBS is (a normal part of some people's body flora) or stress the point that colonization is NOT the same as infection. She tells us what the CDC recommends: screening for all women at 35 to 37 weeks and routine antibiotics in labor for all GBS positive mothers. She ends the section by saying, ". . . the fall in GBS infections in preterm infants has been more than offset by a rise in deadly, penicillin resistant E-coli infections." Unfortunately, she leaves us with that chilling thought, and offers no alternative ideas about how to approach GBS. Since colonization is so common, there will be many mothers who want to know about alternatives to antibiotics and how to further minimize the already low risk of infecting their babies. There are natural, holistic remedies for reducing or eliminating beta strep colonization and protecting against infection. She also doesn't mention that babies sometimes develop GBS infections in the hospital even after their mothers test negative for beta strep. Since about a quarter of women will deal with group B strep and possibly have it affect their birth plans, I wish Goer had treated it with the significance it deserves.
Summary of The Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth
As an intelligent woman, you are probably used to learning as much as you can before making major decisions. But when it comes to one of the most important decisions of your life--how you will give birth?it is hard to gather accurate, unbiased information. Surprisingly, much of the research does not support common medical opinion and practice.
Birth activist Henci Goer gives clear, concise information based on the latest medical studies. The Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth helps you compare and contrast your various options and shows you how to avoid unnecessary procedures, drugs, restrictions, and tests. The book covers:
Birth activist Henci Goer gives clear, concise information based on the latest medical studies. The Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth helps you compare and contrast your various options and shows you how to avoid unnecessary procedures, drugs, restrictions, and tests. The book covers:
- Cesareans
- Breech babies
- Inducing labor
- Electronic Fetal Monitoring
- Rupturing Membranes
- Coping with slow labor
- Pain medication
- Epistiotomy
- Vaginal birth after a Ceasarean
- Doulas
- Deciding on a doctor or midwife
- Choosing where to have your baby
- and much more . . .
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